CONNECTICUT, USA — Every two years, all of the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives go up for grabs. This year is just the latest installment.
Connecticut has five congressional seats on the ballot this year. Voters in the state’s First District will choose between incumbent John Larson (D) and challengers Jim Griffin (R) and Mary Sanders (I).
The First Congressional District encompasses the city of Hartford and surrounding towns, extending around New Britain to Bristol, up through Windsor Locks, and west through Winstead.
You can learn more about who is running for this seat below.
John Larson (D) – Incumbent
An East Hartford native, John Larson has held the First District Congressional Seat since 1999, following a 12-year term as a State Senator and former Senate President Pro-Tempore.
In Congress, Larson sits on the Ways and Means Committee and is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tax Policy and Social Security.
Politically, Larson has advocated for gun reforms, supported efforts toward developing green fuel cell technology, and supports expanding healthcare access. He has also voted in favor of bills supporting reproductive rights.
You can read more about Larson’s policy positions at his website.
Jim Griffin (R)
Challenging Larson is Republican candidate Jim Griffin. Born in Waterbury and raised in Bristol, Griffin is a former Eagle Scout, West Point graduate, and Army veteran.
Griffin notes on his website that he was a Kennedy/Reagan Democrat until 2016 when he decided to switch his affiliation and vote for Former President Donald J. Trump.
Griffin’s policy positions, as outlined on his website, include a proposal to eliminate the Federal Reserve and support of Trump-style tariffs on China. He has promised legislation to ban drag performances at schools and public libraries and to support religion in schools.
Additionally, Griffin’s policy positions outline his support for several conspiracy theories, including those claiming the COVD-19 pandemic was faked, that the government is suppressing access to potentially life-saving cancer treatment, and that members of the government are suppressing research into huge advancements in energy technology.
You can read more about Griffin’s positions on his website.
Mary Sanders (G)
Though she has no formal campaign website, Green Party Candidate Mary Sanders has gone on record with news organizations to discuss some policy positions.
For one, she opposes continued U.S. aid to Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She has also proposed lowering the U.S. military budget as a cost-saving effort. She supports Medicare for All, free access to childcare, and free college tuition programs as well.
She considers herself a “social progressive, fiscal moderate” and says she is open to working across the aisle on important issues.
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Tricia Ennis is the Director of Digital Content at FOX61 News. They can be reached at tennis@fox61.com.
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