There’s rarely turnover in Connecticut’s five-member House delegation. The most junior member, Rep. Jahana Hayes, was elected in 2018, and she’s the only one who’s come close to losing a general election in recent years. And Connecticut Democrats’ primary process, requiring candidates to make it through a nominating convention before getting on the ballot, insulates incumbents from primary challenges.
Hayes is in a relatively comfortable position to win reelection in 2026, setting up Democrats to maintain their nearly 20-year streak of fully controlling the state’s delegation. Though 42% of Nutmeggers voted for Donald Trump in 2024, the state’s congressional districts all favor Democrats.
The only real question for Connecticut’s House delegation this cycle is whether 76-year-old Rep. John B. Larson decides to retire in 2026. If he does, there will be a competitive primary full of ambitious Democrats hoping to succeed him.
CT-01: John B. Larson (D) - Central: Hartford, BristolSolid Democrat. Rep. John B. Larson, a senior member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, has held this central Connecticut seat for decades. But in February, the 76-year-old
What is The Cook Political Report?
The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the US House of Representatives, US Senate, Governors and President as well as American political trends.
Subscribe Today
Our subscribers have first access to individual race pages for each House, Senate and Governors race, which will include race ratings (each race is rated on a seven-point scale) and a narrative analysis pertaining to that race.