Connecticut's 4th Congressional District election, 2026

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Connecticut's 4th Congressional District
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: Pending
Primary: Pending General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Connecticut
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Connecticut's 4th Congressional District 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th Connecticut elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 Alabama U.S. House racesAlaska U.S. House raceArizona U.S. House racesArkansas U.S. House racesCalifornia U.S. House racesColorado U.S. House racesConnecticut U.S. House racesDelaware U.S. House raceFlorida U.S. House racesGeorgia U.S. House racesHawaii U.S. House racesIdaho U.S. House racesIllinois U.S. House racesIndiana U.S. House racesIowa U.S. House racesKansas U.S. House racesKentucky U.S. House racesLouisiana U.S. House racesMaine U.S. House racesMaryland U.S. House racesMassachusetts U.S. House racesMichigan U.S. House racesMinnesota U.S. House racesMississippi U.S. House racesMissouri U.S. House racesMontana U.S. House racesNebraska U.S. House racesNevada U.S. House racesNew Hampshire U.S. House racesNew Jersey U.S. House racesNew Mexico U.S. House racesNew York U.S. House racesNorth Carolina U.S. House racesNorth Dakota U.S. House raceOhio U.S. House racesOklahoma U.S. House racesOregon U.S. House racesPennsylvania U.S. House racesRhode Island U.S. House racesSouth Carolina U.S. House racesSouth Dakota U.S. House raceTennessee U.S. House racesTexas U.S. House racesUtah U.S. House racesVermont U.S. House raceVirginia U.S. House racesWashington U.S. House racesWest Virginia U.S. House racesWisconsin U.S. House racesWyoming U.S. House raceSubmit

All U.S. House districts, including the 4th Congressional District of Connecticut, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

• Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
• Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Connecticut District 4

Incumbent Jim Himes and Damon Cerreta are running in the general election for U.S. House Connecticut District 4 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Jim Himes (D)
	Submit photo	Damon Cerreta (Independent)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Damon Cerreta

Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

Party: Independent

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "My name is Damon Cerreta, and I am a proud American and Connecticut resident. I thank God every day for the blessing of growing up in such a beautiful community. It is these communities that have shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today, and it is my goal, if elected, to give back in numerous ways. From managing a customer service team to owning my own company, my journey has helped me grow as a leader. I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities that I had. I will fight against greedy corporations and the corrupt politicians that serve them. I am dedicated to giving a voice to those who are not being heard."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I believe that love makes families stronger, and one of my goals is to make Americans family again. By fostering familiarity and showing love to all, even amidst disagreements over politics, religions, or interests, we can strengthen our nation. We all live in this great country, and we are in it together. My goal is to create a foundation for our future generations to build upon, continuously making America better and better as the years go by.

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One of my key campaign messages is to stand up against corporate America and ensure the working class is protected. I propose new legislation that will: - Eliminate hidden costs and uncontrollable price increases in service agreements. - Prevent corporations from locking customers into unfair multi-year agreements. - Protect customers from being sued if they try to leave an agreement that was misleading or materially altered by the service provider. - Stop the cycle of corporations raising prices and pushing out small businesses. This legislation will ensure fair treatment for all customers and prevent exploitative practices. We need to protect the working class from corporate greed and create a more equitable business environment.

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Our planet is our home, and it’s time we treat it that way. From cleaning up litter across our communities to investing in real science that prepares us for natural disasters, we must take responsibility. I’ll support education, research, and sustainable practices that protect our air, water, and land. Together, we can build a culture of environmental care—one that values action, awareness, and accountability. Let’s protect the Earth not just for today, but for generations to come.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Connecticut

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Damon Cerreta (Independent)

I believe that love makes families stronger, and one of my goals is to make Americans family again. By fostering familiarity and showing love to all, even amidst disagreements over politics, religions, or interests, we can strengthen our nation. We all live in this great country, and we are in it together. My goal is to create a foundation for our future generations to build upon, continuously making America better and better as the years go by.

One of my key campaign messages is to stand up against corporate America and ensure the working class is protected. I propose new legislation that will:

- Eliminate hidden costs and uncontrollable price increases in service agreements. - Prevent corporations from locking customers into unfair multi-year agreements. - Protect customers from being sued if they try to leave an agreement that was misleading or materially altered by the service provider. - Stop the cycle of corporations raising prices and pushing out small businesses.

This legislation will ensure fair treatment for all customers and prevent exploitative practices. We need to protect the working class from corporate greed and create a more equitable business environment.

Our planet is our home, and it’s time we treat it that way. From cleaning up litter across our communities to investing in real science that prepares us for natural disasters, we must take responsibility. I’ll support education, research, and sustainable practices that protect our air, water, and land. Together, we can build a culture of environmental care—one that values action, awareness, and accountability. Let’s protect the Earth not just for today, but for generations to come.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Damon Cerreta (Independent)

I’m passionate about economic, healthcare, education, veterans and military affairs, foreign, environmental, and social policy. I believe in supporting working families, expanding access to quality healthcare, and ensuring every child has equal educational opportunities. We must honor our veterans with strong support, lead with diplomacy abroad, and protect our environment through sustainable practices. I also care deeply about social justice—everyone deserves a fair shot, safe housing, and equal rights. These policies shape lives, and I’m committed to real, responsible solutions.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Damon Cerreta (Independent)

My father. Even when times were down, he always kept us up. He always put his family before himself and provided me with knowledge to help me become the best version of myself.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Damon Cerreta (Independent)

Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World, written by H.R. McMaster

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Damon Cerreta (Independent)

I believe the greatest challenge facing the United States today is preserving our unity as one nation. The strength of our democracy has always relied on our ability to find common ground amid diversity. Our current climate, marked by partisan hostility and cultural conflicts, underscores the urgency of this issue. The decline in civic engagement and the rise of identity politics have further fragmented our national discourse. As Yuval Levin argues in American Covenant, the Constitution was designed to manage a divided nation through continuous negotiation and coalition-building. To address this challenge, we must:

-Recommit to civil discourse and mutual respect, recognizing that disagreement is a cornerstone of democracy. -Promote inclusive narratives that celebrate our diverse heritage while emphasizing shared values. -Encourage civic education that fosters an understanding of our constitutional principles and responsibilities.

By embracing these steps, we can work towards healing our divisions and strengthening the bonds that unite us. The future of our republic depends on our collective effort to remain, unequivocally, one nation.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Damon Cerreta (Independent)

Financial transparency and government accountability are fundamental principles of a healthy democracy. It is important for taxpayers to know how much public funds are being collected, allocated, and spent. This transparency builds trust between the government and the people by allowing citizens to see where their money is going and why. When mistakes are made, or when funds are misused, accountability ensures that there are consequences—whether through internal reviews, public inquiries, or legal action. Elected officials and public servants are need to be answerable for their decisions, actions, and use of resources.

You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

• Jim Himes

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Jim Himes	Democratic Party	$407,509	$224,715	$2,289,612	As of June 30, 2025
Damon Cerreta	Independent	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Connecticut's 4th Congressional District election, 2026
Race tracker	Race ratings
	9/30/2025	9/23/2025	9/16/2025	9/9/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The Hill	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

2024

See also: Connecticut's 4th Congressional District election, 2024

Connecticut's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Democratic primary)

Connecticut's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Connecticut District 4

Incumbent Jim Himes defeated Michael Goldstein and Benjamin Wesley in the general election for U.S. House Connecticut District 4 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Himes (D)	61.1	200,791
		Michael Goldstein (R)	37.3	122,793
		Benjamin Wesley (Independent Party)	1.6	5,273

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 328,857
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jaden Skudlarek (Independent)

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jim Himes advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 4.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 4

Michael Goldstein defeated Bob MacGuffie in the Republican primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 4 on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Goldstein	53.7	4,312
		Bob MacGuffie	46.3	3,713

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,025
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Daniel Miressi (R)

2022

See also: Connecticut's 4th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Connecticut District 4

Incumbent Jim Himes defeated Jayme Stevenson in the general election for U.S. House Connecticut District 4 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Himes (D)	59.4	140,262
		Jayme Stevenson (R / Independent Party)	40.6	95,822

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 236,084
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jim Himes advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 4.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 4

Jayme Stevenson defeated Michael Goldstein in the Republican primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 4 on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jayme Stevenson	60.3	9,962
		Michael Goldstein	39.7	6,555

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,517
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Connecticut's 4th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Connecticut District 4

Incumbent Jim Himes defeated Jonathan Riddle, Brian Merlen, and Yusheng Peng in the general election for U.S. House Connecticut District 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Himes (D)	62.2	224,432
		Jonathan Riddle (R)	36.2	130,627
		Brian Merlen (Independent Party)	1.6	5,647
	Submit photo	Yusheng Peng (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	10

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 360,716
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jim Himes advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 4.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Brian Merlen (D)

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Jonathan Riddle advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 4.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Michael Goldstein (R)
• TJ Elgin (R)

District analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.

See also

Connecticut	2026 primaries	2026 U.S. Congress elections
Connecticut congressional delegation Voting in Connecticut Connecticut elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018	Democratic primary battlegrounds Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries	U.S. Congress elections U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access

External links

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Connecticut's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Richard Blumenthal (D)

Christopher Murphy (D)

Representatives

District 1

John Larson (D)

District 2

Joe Courtney (D)

District 3

Rosa DeLauro (D)

District 4

Jim Himes (D)

District 5

Jahana Hayes (D)

Democratic Party (7)

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