Incumbent Jahana Hayes, left, and Republican challenger George Logan appear for the Fifth Congressional District debate at Central Connecticut State University Oct. 20, 2022.
Republican George Logan outraised U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes in the final months of 2023, but the Democratic incumbent added to her large cash advantage ahead of what is likely to be another competitive race in Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District.
Logan, a former state senator who narrowly lost to Hayes in 2022, raised more than $420,000 from October through December. During that time, he spent about $60,000, leaving him with about $371,000 left in the bank in the new year.
Hayes, meanwhile, brought in over $282,000 and spent about $171,000 over the last three months of 2023. Without a competitor for much of last year, Hayes was able to amass a large campaign account in her race for a fourth term in Congress.
For the entire year of 2023, she raised a total of nearly $1.2 million. Hayes came into 2024 with a little over $1 million in her campaign account.
Logan announced his campaign in October for the GOP nomination in the hopes of a rematch this fall. He entered the race a few days after the end of the last quarterly fundraising deadline.
“We know in order to defeat the status quo in Connecticut and in Washington, D.C., we need strong grassroots and financial support,” Logan said in a statement about his fundraising.
“Our campaign has inspired people from across Connecticut and the country to get involved, and I couldn’t be more fired up to keep our momentum going strong to bring common sense to Congress and get our country moving in the right direction,” he added.
Logan — who works for Aquarion, a water company owned by Eversource — lost to Hayes in November 2022 by 2,004 votes. So far, he does not face any other challengers for the Republican nomination in the 5th District.
Logan, the son of Guatemalan immigrants who had roots in Jamaica, got into state politics in 2016 when he won his first election and unseated a longtime Democratic state senator. He won again in 2018 but narrowly lost reelection in 2020.
A Republican from Connecticut has not served in the U.S. House since 2009. The last Republican to represent the 5th District was former Rep. Nancy Johnson, who lost reelection in 2006 to Democrat Chris Murphy, who is now a U.S. senator.
Hayes, who became the first Black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress, announced last August she would seek another term. Prior to her time in Congress, she was a teacher in Waterbury and was named the 2016 National Teacher of the Year.
While Hayes won her two previous elections by big margins in 2018 and 2020, her most recent race against Logan was one of the most competitive and expensive in years. The 2022 race saw upwards of $12 million in spending between both parties and outside groups.
“I will do everything in my power to beat him yet again, so that [former President Donald] Trump and dysfunctional House Republicans do not have an ally in the district that I call home,” Hayes said in a statement after Logan’s campaign announcement last fall.
Every federal lawmaker from Connecticut was required to file campaign finance reports for the last quarter of 2023.
All five members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation are up for reelection, while on the Senate side, only Murphy faces another election. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., won another six-year term in 2022.
Murphy, who is running for a third term in the Senate, raised about $1.6 million in the last quarter, bringing his 2023 fundraising total to about $8 million.
Republicans have not won a Senate seat since 1982, when Lowell Weicker won reelection.
Connecticut’s other House members represent safer Democratic seats than in the 5th District. All of them are so far expected to run for reelection in November.
In the 1st District, U.S. Rep. John Larson raised about $187,000 in the last fundraising quarter. He has represented his East Hartford-based district since 1999.
In the 2nd District, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney brought in around $150,000 for the last three months of 2023. He has represented his eastern Connecticut district since 2007.
In the 3rd District, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro raised about $194,000 between last October through December. She has represented her New Haven-based district since 1991.
In the 4th District, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes took in around $194,000 for the final three months of 2023. In 2008, he won his first race for Congress, unseating the last Republican from Connecticut to serve in the U.S. House, former Rep. Chris Shays.
The Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) will host its annual Junior Jump Camp, a two-day introduction to ski jumping, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Satre Hill in Salisbury.
The camp is open to children ages 7 and up and focuses on teaching the basics of ski jumping, with an emphasis on safety, balance and control, using SWSA’s smallest hill. No prior experience is required.
The cost is $50 per child and includes instruction and lunch on both days. For more information or to register, visit www.skireg.com/swsa-camp or email info@jumpfest.org
Jesse Bunce, first selectman of North Canaan.
LITCHFIELD — The Northwest Hills Council of Governments welcomed six newly elected municipal leaders Thursday, Dec. 11, at its first meeting following the 2025 municipal elections.
The council — a regional planning body representing 21 towns in northwest Connecticut — coordinates transportation, emergency planning, housing, economic development and other shared municipal services.
Barkhamsted First Selectman Meaghan Cook, Goshen First Selectman Seth Breakell, Kent First Selectman Eric Epstein, Norfolk First Selectman Henry Tirrell, North Canaan First Selectman Jesse Bunce and Torrington Mayor Molly Spino were each elected to their post in November.
They filled the seats of their predecessors on the COG, who were each given a toast of appreciation: Nick Lukiwsky (Barkhamsted), Todd Carusillo (Goshen), Marty Lindenmeyer (Kent), Matt Riiska (Norfolk), Brian Ohler (North Canaan) and Elinor Carbone (Torrington).
COG Executive Director Rob Phillips said the outgoing members were given a going away mug that read “You’re living the dream still.” Members voted to appoint Warren First Selectman Greg LaCava to fill a vacancy on the Council’s Executive Committee. COG members voted by paper ballot, and LaCava defeated Burlington First Selectman Doug Thompson for the vacant seat.
Ryan Segalla takes a fadeaway shot over a defender.
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys basketball team defeated Pine Plains High School 60-22 in a scrimmage Tuesday, Dec. 9. The non-league preseason game gave both sides an opportunity to run the court ahead of the 2025-26 varsity season.
HVRHS’s senior-heavy roster played with power and poise. The boys pulled ahead early and kept their foot on the gas through to the end.
By halftime the score was 33-8. Junior varsity players subbed in for the second half, but not before the starters got some in-game dunk practice. By the end Housatonic totaled 60 points to Pine Plains’ 22.
Nick Crodelle dribbles the ball up the court during the game.By Riley Klein
Nick Crodelle led the Mountaineers offensively with 13 points. Anthony Labbadia and Wyatt Bayer scored nine points each. Anthony Foley scored eight points. Owen Riemer and Ryan Segalla each scored seven points. Peyton Bushnell hit a three-pointer. Jaxon Visockis and Henry Berry each scored two points.
HVRHS begins Berkshire League competition on the road at Nonnewaug High School Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a 6 p.m. tip off.
Anthony Labbadia By Riley Klein
Owen Riemer block By Riley Klein
Katie Moore delivers toys to the Stuff a Truck campaign held by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department last weekend. Donated toys are collected so that parents, who need some assistance, may provide their children with gifts this Christmas. Accepting the donation are elves Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci
KENT — Santa’s elves were toasty warm as they collected toys for the children of Kent.
Keeping with annual tradition, Fran Goodsell and Karen Iannucci manned the Stuff a Truck campaign sponsored by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Sitting in front of a fire pit in the firehouse parking lot between donations from residents, they spoke of the incredible generosity displayed every season. That spirit of giving was clear from the piles of toys heaped on a table.
“This is always so gratifying,” said Goodsell, noting that certain businesses, including High Watch Recovery Center, Wilson’s, and Kent and South Kent schools needed a “shout out” for all they’ve done. She said South Kent School focuses on gifts for older children, which is a group that often is overlooked.
Unwrapped contributions are sought for children 1 to 15 years old who might otherwise find little or nothing from Santa, they said. The bounty will be set up at the Community House on Thursday, allowing parents to come and take what they want. If there are still items left, grandparents are invited to “shop.”
The atmosphere was festive Saturday, as a stuffed dog began barking a Christmas tune whenever someone walked in front of it. A large decked-out bear posted at the parking lot entrance reminded passersby of the event. Visiting children were able to get a close-up look at the fire truck and walk through the firehouse if they wished.
Goodsell and Iannucci were very grateful to those who donated wood for the fire pit. “And so many asked if they could bring us coffee or hot chocolate,” said Iannucci.
Goodsell said many who came talked about having grown children who were recipients of the gifts when their families were struggling. “They are so glad to be able to give back,” she said.
