CONNECTICUT, USA — U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D) is facing two challengers for Connecticut’s 4th District seat, which he’s held since 2009.
The district includes the southwestern part of the state, from Bridgeport to Greenwich, up to Danbury and over to the Naugatuck Valley.
Himes’ challenges include Republican Dr. Michael Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (Incumbent)
Himes, the incumbent, currently serves as a ranking member on the House Committee on Intelligence and holds a seat on the Committee on Financial Services.
On his website, Himes declared his support for reproductive freedom and said he voted for the Access to Birth Control Act, which guaranteed women could continue using contraception if the precedent was turned over by the Supreme Court.
Himes has also voted in favor of the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, protecting a woman’s right to travel across state lines for abortion services. He stated on his website that he “believes that every woman must be empowered to make her own decisions regarding her reproductive health without government intrusion.”
On the House Financial Services Committee, Himes is responsible for improving and strengthening the regulatory processes and ensuring strong consumer protection standards are implemented.
Himes is vocal in his support for gun violence prevention. He voted in support of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, the Enhanced Background Checks Act and the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 and said he will continue to fight for legislation that keeps communities safe.
He also voted in support of the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which, among other things, helped close the “boyfriend” loophole in gun control. This policy was introduced in the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act that he introduced along with Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy following the death of Oxford resident Lori Jackson.
RELATED: Blumenthal, Himes & Murphy introduce Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act
You can read more about Himes’ congressional record and his stance on a multitude of issues on his website.
Dr. Michael Goldstein (Republican challenger)
Goldstein is the Republican challenger for the district and is a board-certified physician of 40 years. He also served as the president of the New York County Medical Society for two terms and as the president of the SUNY Downstate Alumni Association.
Later in his life, Goldstein decided to become a lawyer and went to law school at Pace University. Goldstein currently serves as an elected official on the Greenwich City Council.
Learn more about Goldstein's background here.
On his website, Goldstein said his campaign centers around ideas such as affordable food, energy and healthcare, secure borders, parental rights and supporting Israel.
Goldstein proposes support for efficient deregulation and a reduction of administration costs across all government sectors, saying it would ensure a “brighter future” for the healthcare system and many other business sectors.
Goldstein said that if “the Democrats continue to have their way, new programs will be added to the federal budget” and taxes would increase. He denounced “bureaucratic policies,” calling for new leadership.
On his website, Goldstein explained why he was running for Congress. He said that he would do “everything I can to prevent the state from becoming the next Detroit” and also expressed concern about the rise in anti-Semitism.
You can read more about Goldstein and his stance on issues and his endorsements on his website.
Benjamin Wesley (Independent challenger)
Wesley is a Norwalk resident of more than a decade who has worked in Stratford for 15 years as a mechanical engineer, setting up tooling and production lines.
On his website, Wesley says he is running because he is deeply concerned about the genocide in Gaza and the threats of wider war - including potential use of nuclear weapons - in the Middle East and Ukraine-Russian conflicts. He says that Himes will not be moved from his position of arming both Israel and the Ukraine. Wesley pointed out the devastating affect that a nuclear attack on Manhattan would have on Connecticut.
In 2022, Wesley drafted a Ukrainian ceasefire resolution and presented it to members of the Norwalk Common Council. In 2024, he drafted a ceasefire resolution for Gaza, which garnered over 100 signatures.
Wesley says he is running on a peace platform that includes affordable housing, improved schools, health care for all, new infrastructure and more social services for Congressional District 4.
You can read more about Wesley and his priorities by clicking on his website.
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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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