Graphic by Rielle Reyes ’27/The Choate News
By Reid Bock ’27, Reporter
On Wednesday, October 9, Democrat Representative Ms. Johana Hayes and Republican Candidate Mr. George Logan faced off in a debate for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District (CT-05). Congresswoman Hayes, as the incumbent, had the advantage of showcasing her record and accomplishments during her time in federal office. There are also some disadvantages associated with incumbency. As Ms. Lisa Hagen, a journalist for the CT Mirror, pointed out, “[Being the incumbent] does open you up to scrutiny,” she said, “[On] the flip side for someone who’s a challenger … you are more of an unknown quantity.”
CT-05 has a history of being a swing district. The last time a Republican held the seat ended in 2006 when Democrat Mr. Chris Murphy defeated Republican Representative Ms. Nancy Johnson; Mr. Murphy now serves as a U.S. Senator. The 2022 election between Representative Hayes and Mr. Logan saw one of the tightest races in the district’s history, with Representative Hayes defeating Mr. Logan by less than 2000 votes.
The debate was held at the Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College in Waterbury, Connecticut. It drew a large crowd as the candidates discussed their stances on major issues. The debate began with a sharp exchange on the current state of the economy and rising inflation. Representative Hayes defended the Biden Administration’s economic policies, arguing that they have helped stabilize the economy. Conversely, Mr. Logan blamed the Biden Administration’s overspending as a cause for increased inflation, which he said would hurt working families.
Healthcare was another point of contention that emerged between the candidates. Representative Hayes praised the Inflation Reduction Act and its approach to strengthening Medicare. On the other hand, Mr. Logan criticized the impact of government overreach in stifling healthcare innovation.
Educational policy and the recent student loan forgiveness program sparked further debate. Representative Hayes, a former National Teacher of the Year, emphasized the importance of investing in public education and defended the loan forgiveness program. Mr. Logan, however, expressed concerns about the fairness of broad loan forgiveness and questioned if it was a transfer of obligations.
The debate turned particularly tense during the discussion on gun control and public safety, given that CT-05 includes Newtown, where the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took place. Representative Hayes reiterated her support for stricter gun laws, including universal background checks and assault weapons bans. On the contrary, Mr. Logan discussed the importance of Second Amendment rights while calling for improved mental health services and enforcement to address gun violence.
In their closing statements, Representative Hayes highlighted her track record of service and commitment to the district, while Mr. Logan described himself as a fresh voice wanting to bring a new perspective to Washington, D.C.
When reflecting on the night’s events, Ms. Hagen said, “[It was] a generally bitter, contentious night between the two of them, and that was just evident in most of the issues that came up, where they were drawing a pretty stark contrast with one another.”
With CT-05 considered one of the most competitive House of Representatives seat races this year, the stakes are high. Ms. Hagen noted that “[This election] has the potential to play into whichever party gets control of the House. It’s not guaranteed, but definitely part of the calculus for both parties in terms of who gets to stay in control.” With election day approaching on November 5, both candidates will continue to campaign vigorously until the end.
