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Race for CT’s 5th House District gets crowded with candidates

Race for CT’s 5th House District gets crowded with candidates

Left, U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes shakes hands with Will Vincent in a 2025 visit to Cornwall Consolidated School. Right, Chris Shea is the newest Republican to enter the race for the 5th District.

Photos by Riley Klein and from Chris Shea Campaign Video

As of Feb. 1, six candidates have entered the 2026 election for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District

Incumbent Congresswoman Jahana Hayes will face at least two newcomers in a Democratic primary: Winter Solomita and Jackson Taddeo-Waite.

So far, three Republicans have declared for the race: Chris Shea, Jonathan De Barros and Michele Botelho.

The primary elections for each party will take place Aug. 11, and the general election will be Nov. 3.

Democrats

Hayes, who was a history teacher in Waterbury before taking office in January 2019, is seeking her fifth term. She serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Her official website, jahanahayes.com, states, “Imagine a future where everyone has healthcare, where no American goes hungry, where every child has access to an excellent public education, and where there is true equity in our society. This is the future that Jahana is fighting to create.”

By the end of 2025, Hayes reported $910,655.30 in campaign contributions, according to Federal Election Commission data.

Solomita, of Waterbury, does not have an official campaign website. A social media search indicates she is 25 years old.

Taddeo-Waite, of Washington Depot, does not have an official campaign website or discoverable social media presence.

Neither Solomita nor Taddeo-Waite have reported any campaign contributions to the FEC.

Republicans

Botelho, of Danbury, lists her experience as an educator, paralegal and mother. Her campaign website, michelebotelhoforcongress.com, states, “In my campaign for Congress, I’ll be offering solutions, guided by my faith, fidelity to freedom and conservative values.” By the end of 2025, Botelho reported $30,945 in campaign contributions.

De Barros, of Plymouth, is running under the slogan “Flip the 5th Red,” per his campaign website, debarrosforcongress.org. He cites experience as a community leader and youth mentor and lists securing the border, criminal justice reform and Second Amendment rights among his top issues. His campaign committee is based in Terryville, and he reported raising $13,791.52 by the end of 2025.

Shea, of Cheshire, was the most recent candidate to enter the race. He is a retired Navy SEAL and current firefighter in North Haven. His website chrissheaforcongress.com emphasizes his goals of lowering costs, growing wages and protecting America. He has not yet reported fundraising data.

Hayes defeated George Logan (R) in the two most recent elections. Logan has not filed to run in 2026.

Riley Klein

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