GLASTONBURY, Connecticut — Republicans in Connecticut are voicing optimism about their odds of flipping seats on the national level for the first time in more than a decade, thanks in part to former President Donald Trump not being on the ballot.
While Connecticut hasn’t had a GOP representative since 2008, the Republican Party sees pickup opportunities in New England that haven’t appeared possible in the past. Party officials said they believe with the current political climate, the party could potentially flip more than one seat in the Constitution State, which President Joe Biden won by nearly 20 points in 2020.
HILLARY CLINTON BLASTS LINDSEY GRAHAM FOR JOINING TRUMP’ CULT’
Republicans said they are most optimistic about their chances in the 5th Congressional District, where Republican candidate George Logan, a former state senator who is running as a centrist, is vying to unseat two-term Rep. Jahana Hayes (D). They also believe the 2nd Congressional District, where state Rep. Mike France, a former Navy officer, is facing Democratic Rep. Joe Courtney (D), could potentially flip.
Connecticut GOP Chairman Ben Pronto said the party has managed to recruit stronger candidates than they’ve seen in the past and feels the GOP has the opportunity to attract voters in the state in this and future election cycles.
“[Republicans could potentially win] definitely one, the 5th District, the George Logan seat, and depending on what happens at the top of the ticket in the 2nd District, I think Mike France has an opportunity if we do well at the top of the ticket,” he told the Washington Examiner in an interview.
The 1st District, the 3rd District, and the 4th District are difficult as they are heavily Democratic, Pronto said.
The 4th District was one of Biden’s best districts in the state and “one we’re kind of working,” Pronto said, adding that he believes GOP candidate Jayme Stevenson, who is facing Rep. Jim Himes (D), could gain traction in future cycles.
“I think she has an opportunity. Oftentimes, as you know, these are multi-cycle runs,” he said.
Pronto said he believes issues including inflation and crime are driving swing voters to the right but added that Trump not being on the ballot “helps a lot” given the nature of the state.
“I think, you know, they tried very hard early on to tie everything to Trump. And our response was, last time I looked, he wasn’t in the White House,” he said. “And all the problems we’ve had in the last 18 months are polling attributable to Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and the Democrats. … really, what we’re beginning to see is suburban women coming back to us, and I think the biggest reason for that is they’re the ones, for the most part, who pay the bills every week.”
France said with Trump not on the ticket, he believes attacks attempting to link GOP candidates to the former president have been less effective, arguing that concerns over the price of gas, heating oil, and inflation are the main issues he’s heard from voters.
“It takes that issue away from the Democrats because he’s [Trump’s] not on the ballot, and it’s not an issue. When you’re talking about the midterms it’s about the president who’s in power now, the Biden administration, and failed policies that have led to this inflation and led to the situation we’re facing now,” he said.
“I think that people are looking at their lives and realizing that the people that are making the decision today, the Democrats, are certainly opening their eyes to … take a different look … at the individuals and what the policies are not just the party affiliation,” he said.
Stevenson said attacks linking Republicans to Trump and Democrats’ concerns over Roe v. Wade have been issues that have emerged in her race, but she believes “momentum is building” as Election Day nears.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“CT 4 is definitely more purple, and … Trump was a big factor throughout our campaign, but Trump’s not on the ballot. Inflation, the economy, safety and security, all of the problems that we’re having with a war in Western Europe, those are the things that are top of mind for people right now,” she said.
“Jan. 6 really has not been a topic. It’s certainly at the top of mind for my opponent, but not from the constituents that I talked to. There are women that are very concerned, nervous about having their rights taken away. So I look forward to being at the table for that debate if it comes up in Congress when I’m there,” Stevenson said.
