--- title: "Hayes vs. Shea: 2026 Connecticut’s 5th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ct-05" updated: "2026-08-12" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Connecticut’s 5th District race: Jahana Hayes (D) vs. Chris Shea (R) Rating: Likely D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 12, 2026 In Connecticut's 5th Congressional District, four-term Democratic incumbent Jahana Hayes faces Republican nominee Chris Shea in the November 3, 2026 general election. Hayes advanced automatically after the Democratic primary was canceled, while Shea won the August 11 Republican primary with 81% of the vote. The matchup hinges on whether Hayes' extensive congressional record on education, gun control, healthcare, and economic relief resonates with voters against a Republican challenger. ## Candidates - **Jahana Hayes** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://jahanahayes.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) - **Chris Shea** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://chrissheaforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Chris_Shea) ## Issues ### Healthcare & Reproductive Rights Salience: high Hayes advocates for moving to a single-payer healthcare system and protecting abortion access without restriction, whereas Shea has not documented a position. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports single-payer healthcare and abortion access Hayes supports moving toward a single-payer healthcare system to lower prescription drug costs and increase overall affordability. She strongly advocates for protecting women's access to reproductive healthcare and abortion rights without restrictions, while supporting federal efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. - Supports transitioning toward a single-payer healthcare system and lowering prescription drug costs. - Advocates for protecting women's access to reproductive healthcare and abortion rights without restriction. - Supports expanding access to addiction treatment to combat the opioid epidemic. > “I support moving towards a single-payer healthcare system, lowering prescription drug costs and making healthcare more affordable.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) > “I will work to ensure that women have full access to reproductive healthcare and maintain their right to choose without restriction.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ### Gun Policy Salience: high Hayes supports a federal assault weapons ban and universal background checks, while Shea has no documented position on gun policy. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports strict gun control measures Hayes advocates for comprehensive federal gun violence prevention laws, including universal background checks and bans on assault weapons. In the 117th Congress, she voted in favor of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. - Voted Yea on the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808). - Supports universal background checks for all gun sales, including internet transactions. - Supports 'No Fly, No Buy' restrictions prohibiting firearm purchases by individuals on federal watchlists. - Backs federal funding for the CDC to research gun violence as a public health issue. > “Comprehensive gun reform is needed to combat this day-to-day gun violence and the root causes of it.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) > “I will fight every day in Congress to promote and pass common sense legislation that will prevent gun violence.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ### Immigration & Border Security Salience: high Hayes favors legal pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants while selectively voting on enforcement measures, whereas Shea has no published stance. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports pathway to citizenship and selective enforcement Hayes supports comprehensive immigration reform featuring a legal pathway to citizenship and the DREAM Act for Dreamers. While opposing Republican immigration packages like the Secure the Border Act and SAVE Act, she voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act in 2025. - Supports passing the DREAM Act and creating a clear pathway to legal citizenship. - Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring mandatory DHS detention for noncitizens arrested for burglary or theft. - Voted Nay on the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2) and the SAVE Act (H.R. 22). - Voted Nay on H.R. 875, which makes driving under the influence grounds for noncitizen deportation. > “It is clear that our current immigration system is outdated and not working to address the evolving needs of our district and country. I will work towards a clear, legal pathway to citizenship.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) > “I support passing the DREAM Act to provide these young people with a path to citizenship.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ### Economy & Taxes Salience: medium Hayes supports raising the federal minimum wage and federal job-training investments, while Shea has no documented position. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports wage increases and workforce training Hayes prioritizes job creation through community college workforce training, raising the federal minimum wage, and closing the gender pay gap. In Congress, she consistently backed Democratic legislative initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. - Supports raising the federal minimum wage and passing equal pay measures. - Voted Yea on the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024). - Voted Yea on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. - Voted Nay on Republican debt ceiling and spending bills including the Limit, Save, Grow Act (H.R. 2811) and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1 in 2025). > “I will support raising the minimum wage. I also believe that women and men should receive equal pay for equal work.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ### Education Salience: medium Hayes opposes diverting public school funds to private options and backs federal college affordability measures, whereas Shea has not issued an education platform. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports public education funding and affordability As a former National Teacher of the Year, Hayes prioritizes federal support for public education, teacher development, and college affordability. She opposes proposals that divert public funding to private institutions and voted against restricting transgender student participation in female sports. - Advocates for protecting public education funding and opposing school voucher measures. - Supports expanding college affordability and trade/community college career training. - Voted Nay on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28). > “Preserving the public education system and viewing it as an investment in future generations will be a priority if I am elected.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) > “I will support any measure to make college more affordable, open access to more students and oppose measures that divert public funding from our schools.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ### Environment & Energy Salience: medium Hayes supports climate change initiatives and Brownfield cleanups while opposing traditional energy deregulation, whereas Shea has no documented stance. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports environmental protection and clean energy Hayes focuses on protecting local district natural assets like rivers and lakes, funding Brownfield cleanups, and addressing climate change. Endorsed by Sierra Club Connecticut, she voted against major Republican energy deregulation legislation. - Supports federal funding for open space preservation and cleaning up contaminated Brownfields. - Voted Yea on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to fund clean energy programs. - Voted Nay on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1 in 118th Congress). - Endorsed by Sierra Club Connecticut for the 2026 election cycle. > “Whether I am working to preserve the environmental treasures of the 5th District or fighting to combat the effects of climate change, I will be a strong voice and vote to preserve, protect, and enhance our environment.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ### Democracy, Voting Rights & Government Integrity Salience: medium Hayes supports expanding federal voting options while opposing documentary citizenship requirements, while Shea has no documented position. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports expanded voting access and transparency Hayes supports federal legislation to expand voting access, early voting, and automatic voter registration. In Congress, she voted for major Democratic voting rights legislation and backed the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, while opposing strict voter citizenship verification mandates. - Voted Yea on the For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1) to expand voting access and mail-in voting. - Voted Nay on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22 in 2025) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. - Voted Yea on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405). **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ### Civil Rights & Social Equity Salience: low Hayes advocates for federal anti-discrimination protections and social equity legislation, while Shea has no documented stance. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports federal anti-discrimination protections Hayes advocates for federal protections to eliminate racial, gender, and economic disparities. Her voting record includes support for anti-discrimination measures and federal marijuana decriminalization. - Advocates for legislation protecting civil rights against racism, sexism, homophobia, and religious persecution. - Voted Yea on the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 (H.R. 6090). - Voted Yea on the MORE Act (H.R. 3617) to federalize marijuana decriminalization. > “I will fight against racism, xenophobia, classism, economic discrimination, housing discrimination, sexism, homophobia, religious and political persecution and the abuse of any civil liberties that threaten our democratic society.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ### Veterans Salience: low Hayes supports expanding federal healthcare and employment assistance for veterans, whereas Shea has not published a veterans platform. **Jahana Hayes:** Supports expanded veteran healthcare and support programs Hayes advocates for expanding physical and mental health services, education, and job training assistance for returning veterans. She consistently supported annual defense authorization bills that fund servicemember programs. - Supports federal assistance for returning veterans' physical and mental healthcare. - Backs educational and job-training programs tailored for military veterans and families. - Voted Yea on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2022, 2023, and 2024. > “We need to commit ourselves to ensure our veterans have the opportunity to receive the assistance they need for their physical and mental health, in addition to programs for education and employment.” > — Jahana Hayes, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jahana_Hayes) **Chris Shea:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ct-05-house-election-winner) — CT-05 House Election Winner: Democrats 96.8%, Republicans 2.3% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/HOUSECT5-26) — CT-05 House winner?: Jahana Hayes 97.2%, Chris Shea 3.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXCTPRIMARY-05R26) — CT-05 Republican nominee?: Chris Shea 99.0%, Jonathan De Barros 1.0%, John Bucciarelli 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ct-05)