--- title: "Himes vs. Goldstein: 2026 Connecticut’s 4th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ct-04" updated: "2026-08-13" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Connecticut’s 4th District race: Jim Himes (D) vs. Michael Goldstein (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 13, 2026 The 2026 general election for Connecticut's 4th Congressional District features incumbent Democrat Jim Himes, who has represented the district since 2009, facing Republican challenger Dr. Michael Goldstein, a physician and attorney. The matchup hinges on contrasting visions for lower living costs, energy policy, and healthcare reform in southwestern Connecticut. ## Candidates - **Jim Himes** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jim_Himes) - **Michael Goldstein** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://goldsteinforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) ## Issues ### Healthcare Salience: high Himes advocates expanding federal support and protections for affordable healthcare and Social Security, whereas Goldstein calls for sweeping deregulation and market-based competition to lower healthcare costs. **Jim Himes:** Supports affordable healthcare and expanding access Himes advocates for accessible, affordable healthcare for all Americans while protecting Social Security and lower prescription costs. He supported key healthcare initiatives in Congress and voted to pass the Social Security Fairness Act. - Advocates for accessible and affordable healthcare for all Americans. - Voted Yea on the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82). - Voted Nay on terminating CDC COVID-19 vaccination requirements for foreign travelers (H.R. 185). > “fighting for accessible and affordable health care for all” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) > “Congressman Jim Himes advocates for affordable healthcare for all and safeguards Social Security to ensure stability for the American people.” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) **Michael Goldstein:** Supports healthcare deregulation and market competition Goldstein, a physician and attorney, calls for reforming the healthcare system through deregulation, eliminating administrative middlemen, and restoring free-market competition. He also advocates for enforcing Right to Try legislation and reducing FDA bureaucratic bottlenecks. - Calls for slashing regulatory compliance burdens on doctors and medical practices. - Advocates enforcing Right to Try law and holding the FDA accountable to make experimental treatments accessible. - Proposes eliminating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurance middlemen to lower drug prices. > “Our healthcare system has become overly expensive and overly bureaucratic.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) > “The cure for high healthcare costs isn't more government. It's less.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Campaign site](https://goldsteinforcongress.com/) ### Energy and Environment Salience: high Himes supports green energy expansion and climate regulation, while Goldstein emphasizes expanding natural gas pipelines and mini-nuclear power to cut electricity costs. **Jim Himes:** Supports green energy and climate action Himes promotes green energy innovation, climate change mitigation, and local environmental protection initiatives. He consistently opposes Republican energy legislation aimed at expanding domestic fossil fuel production and rolling back clean energy incentives. - Promotes renewable green energy initiatives and forward-thinking climate policies. - Voted Nay on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1), opposing expanded fossil fuel leasing and pipeline permitting rollbacks. - Endorsed by Sierra Club Connecticut. > “Congressman Jim Himes promotes green energy, fights for environmental preservation, tackles climate change, and supports local eco-initiatives.” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) > “Jim knows that our greatest renewable resource is innovation, and he’s fought for forward-thinking energy policies” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) **Michael Goldstein:** Supports pipeline expansion and nuclear energy Goldstein blames federal regulations for Connecticut's high electric bills and advocates expanding natural gas pipeline capacity into New England. He also supports building mini-nuclear power plants and eliminating ideology-first energy mandates. - Demands federal legislation to expand natural gas pipeline infrastructure into Connecticut. - Supports building mini-nuclear power plants to expand reliable green energy. - Opposes federal regulations and mandates that restrict fossil fuel infrastructure. > “Connecticut families pay roughly 60% more for electricity than the national average.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Campaign site](https://goldsteinforcongress.com/) > “Ct. faces some of the highest electric bills in the country because federal laws block us from buying enough domestic natural gas to generate our electricity.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) ### Economy and Inflation Salience: high Himes emphasizes economic growth through targeted tax incentives, infrastructure investment, and support for working families, whereas Goldstein blames government spending for inflation and demands federal spending cuts and deregulation. **Jim Himes:** Supports business innovation and targeted relief Himes champions business innovation and financial reforms while supporting working families through targeted tax relief and federal infrastructure funding. He voted for major economic legislation including the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. - Champions business innovation and supports working families through financial reforms. - Voted Yea on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) and the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024). - Voted Nay on the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 (H.R. 2811) and the FY2025 reconciliation bill (H.R. 1). > “Congressman Jim Himes champions business innovation, supports working families, and leads financial reforms for a thriving, fair economy.” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) **Michael Goldstein:** Supports cutting government spending and deregulation Goldstein attributes high inflation and consumer prices to excessive federal spending, money printing, and over-regulation. He advocates for reducing government spending, cutting compliance costs, and expanding free-market competition. - Attributes high consumer prices to reckless government spending and printing money. - Calls for reducing wasteful government spending and lowering tax and regulatory burdens on small businesses. - Advocates replacing government micromanagement with free-market competition. > “Our economy is suffering from high energy prices, reckless government spending & the printing of money.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) > “Government micromanagement of the economy needs to be replaced by a free market based on competition and market forces.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) ### Immigration and Border Security Salience: medium Himes voted against major Republican border enforcement measures like H.R. 2 and S. 5, while Goldstein demands closing the border, deporting undocumented entrants, and enacting harsher penalties for drug trafficking. **Jim Himes:** Opposes broad border enforcement legislation Himes voted against major Republican border enforcement and detention bills, including H.R. 2 and the Laken Riley Act. However, he voted Yea on legislation making driving while impaired grounds for non-citizen deportation or inadmissibility. - Voted Nay on the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2). - Voted Nay on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) and the impeachment resolution against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (H.Res. 863). - Voted Yea on the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025 (H.R. 875). **Michael Goldstein:** Supports closing border and strict enforcement Goldstein advocates closing the southern border to illegal immigration, deporting criminals and traffickers, and defunding public benefits for undocumented entrants. He also proposes classifying the distribution of lethal fentanyl as murder. - Calls for closing the southern border and deporting criminal illegal aliens, gang members, and traffickers. - Proposes eliminating federal economic benefits for undocumented immigrants. - Advocates federal laws to prosecute manufacturers and sellers of lethal fentanyl pills for murder. > “Our border must be closed to illegal immigration. Criminals, gang members, terrorists , drug, sex and child traffickers must be deported.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) > “I will propose laws that make this crime murder and those who make and distribute these pills should be prosecuted for murder.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) ### Education Salience: medium Himes focuses on funding public schools and expanding early childhood education, whereas Goldstein promotes school vouchers, technical training programs, and parental rights against curriculum indoctrination. **Jim Himes:** Supports public education and early childhood learning Himes views public education as central to economic success and supports legislation to expand early childhood learning and universal pre-school. He voted against restricting transgender females from participating in female school athletic programs. - Supports legislation to expand quality pre-school and early childhood education. - Believes the long-term success of the economy relies on public education. - Voted Nay on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28). > “Jim believes that the long-term success of the American economy lies in the strength of our education system.” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) > “Recognizes the importance of early childhood education and supports legislation to help make quality pre-school education available to all.” > — Jim Himes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jim_Himes) **Michael Goldstein:** Supports school choice and career pathways Goldstein supports school choice, vouchers, and expanding vocational/technical career pathways starting in middle school. He opposes political indoctrination and Critical Race Theory in classrooms while championing parental rights. - Supports school vouchers, technical high schools, and vocational training. - Proposes career pathway programs starting in middle school partnered with local employers. - Opposes CRT and political indoctrination in public schools. > “Vocational training vouchers. Technical high schools. Career academies. No more waitlists for kids who want to work.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Campaign site](https://goldsteinforcongress.com/) > “Our children need the best quality education possible not indoctrination. Parents have the absolute right to fight for that.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) ### Gun Safety and Second Amendment Salience: medium Himes aggressively pushes for federal gun safety laws and taking on the NRA, while Goldstein opposes gun restrictions and highlights their added regulatory/healthcare costs. **Jim Himes:** Supports strict gun safety measures Himes actively campaigns for commonsense gun safety legislation to end gun violence and opposes special interest groups like the NRA. He treats gun violence as an urgent public health crisis. - Advocates taking on the NRA and special interest groups to pass federal gun safety laws. - Identifies gun violence as an urgent issue affecting communities every day. > “taking on special interests like the NRA to end gun violence” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) > “Every day, 100 Americans are killed by guns and hundreds more are injured. But the effects of gun violence impact all of us, every single day.” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) **Michael Goldstein:** Opposes gun restrictions increasing healthcare costs Goldstein aligns with conservative principles supporting constitutional liberties. He explicitly criticized recent gun legislation for driving up healthcare and administrative costs. - Argues that recent federal gun legislation unnecessarily increases healthcare costs. - Supports constitutional liberties and America First principles. > “The new gun legislation increases healthcare costs” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) ### Foreign Policy and National Security Salience: medium Himes emphasizes intelligence oversight, traditional defense reauthorizations, and international diplomacy, whereas Goldstein advocates an 'America First' approach leveraging domestic energy production to isolate foreign adversaries. **Jim Himes:** Supports intelligence oversight and national defense Himes serves as Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, overseeing 17 federal intelligence agencies. He voted for National Defense Authorization Act reauthorizations and antisemitism awareness legislation while expressing past skepticism toward unilateral military intervention in Syria. - Oversees 17 federal intelligence agencies as Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. - Voted Yea on the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2024 (H.R. 2670) and the Antisemitism Awareness Act (H.R. 6090). - Expressed deep skepticism regarding military strikes in Syria. > “As Ranking Member of the House Permanent Committee on Intelligence, Jim oversees 17 federal agencies that make up the U.S. Intelligence Community.” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) > “I remain deeply skeptical that a military attack will improve the situation on the ground, quiet the conflict, or improve our National Security.” > — Jim Himes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jim_Himes) **Michael Goldstein:** Supports America First foreign policy and Israel Goldstein advocates an America First foreign policy that strongly supports Israel and uses American energy exports to financially weaken foreign adversaries like Russia and Iran. He also supports strengthening democratic alliances in Asia. - Pledges strong support for Israel and countering Iranian nuclear and military aggression. - Proposes using U.S. energy production to lower global energy prices and deprive adversaries of funding. - Supports strengthening military alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and India. > “We must use economic power to weaken the countries that are our military adversaries through lowering global energy prices leaving countries like Russia and Iran with less money to fund wars and terrorism.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) > “Supporting Israel” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) ### Government Reform and Accountability Salience: low Himes demonstrates governance accountability through key votes on ethics and transparency, whereas Goldstein advocates structural term limits and restricting executive agency rulemaking. **Jim Himes:** Supports transparency and accountability Himes voted for major government transparency and ethics measures, including the Epstein Files Transparency Act and the expulsion of Representative George Santos. He also publicly called on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. - Voted Yea on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) and expelling Rep. George Santos (H.Res. 878). - Voted Yea on declaring the office of Speaker of the House vacant (H.Res. 757). - Publicly called on President Joe Biden to step aside as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee. > “I no longer believe that is Joe Biden, and I hope that, as he has throughout a lifetime of public service, he will continue to put our nation first and, as he promised, make way for a new generation of leaders.” > — Jim Himes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jim_Himes) **Michael Goldstein:** Supports term limits and regulatory oversight Goldstein signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge, arguing that congressional service should not be a lifetime career. He advocates for re-asserting congressional authority over regulatory agencies to curb executive branch overreach. - Signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge. - Advocates for federal legislation to strictly limit administrative agency rulemaking. - Emphasizes full financial transparency and government accountability. > “Being a congressman is not a lifetime job. The longer someone stays in office the more detached they become from those who have elected them.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) > “Congress must play an active role, through legislation, to ensure that the regulatory state is limited to carrying out the laws passed by Congress rather than rewriting them.” > — Michael Goldstein, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Goldstein_%28Connecticut%29) ### Reproductive Rights Salience: medium **Jim Himes:** Supports federal abortion rights and family planning Himes strongly supports reproductive rights and family planning services. He consistently opposed Republican efforts to defund family planning organizations or enact federal abortion bans. - Opposed Republican efforts to defund family planning services. - Opposed federal abortion bans and restrictions on reproductive freedom. > “Jim stood against Republican attempts to defund family planning, and he opposed multiple efforts to ban abortion at the federal level.” > — Jim Himes, via [Campaign site](https://www.himesforcongress.com/) **Michael Goldstein:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ct-04-house-election-winner) — CT-04 House Election Winner: Democrats 97.4%, Republicans 1.8% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-CT04-26) — CT-04 House winner?: Jim Himes 96.6%, Michael Goldstein 2.2% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXCTPRIMARY-04R26) — CT-04 Republican nominee?: Michael Goldstein 99.0%, Daniel Miressi 1.0%, Luz Bueno 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ct-04)