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    Thursday, October 03, 2024

    National parties send money to boost Conn. 5th District candidates

    Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., center, smiles on the first day of the 116th Congress, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at the Capitol in Washington. The two-term Democrat can expect a challenge from former state Sen. George Logan as part of a National Republican Campaign Committee outreach to minority voters. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
    Former state Sen. George Logan, a Republican from Ansonia, speaks during opening session at the state Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. National Republicans are optimistic Logan will finally be the GOP candidate who can win Connecticut's 5th Congressional District seat, which hasn't been held by a Republican since 2006. The seat is now held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

    Seeking to win a tight congressional race, national Democrats and Republicans are stepping up their efforts in a targeted rematch between U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes and Republican George Logan.

    The Democratic National Committee said that it is pouring an additional $70,000 into Connecticut to help the “ground game” on getting out the vote in the final five weeks before election day.

    The money is needed in the congressional rematch, which was one of the closest races nationally two years ago for the U.S. House of Representatives. Hayes won by less than 1 percentage point, and Logan is battling in his second try for the seat that has been held by Democrats since a young Chris Murphy defeated veteran U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson in November 2006 in an upset.

    National Democrats are sending an additional $2.5 million nationally for key races in the final funding tranche as part of an overall effort that reaches all 50 states, plus territories, for the coordinated campaign that ends on Nov. 5. The overall spending total, both nationally and in Connecticut, was not available Friday, officials said.

    The money will also be used in the 2nd Congressional District race that pits incumbent Rep. Joe Courtney of Vernon in a rematch against Republican Mike France, a former state legislator who lost two years ago to Courtney. Democrats are also spending to get out the vote for a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would legalize no-excuse absentee voting, officials said.

    On Logan’s side, the National Republican Congressional Committee has pledged to set aside $1.3 million in Connecticut on the race, and the committee has opened a field office, known as a “battle station” in Farmington to get out the vote.

    “The NRCC is fully committed to flipping CT-05,” said Republican spokeswoman Savannah Viar. “The first NRCC offensive Battle station was opened in CT-05 this past spring, wherein Speaker Johnson was the special guest. Republicans are fired up and ready to send Jahana Hayes packing this November.”

    National Democratic Chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement that Democrats are trying to make sure that the party can run competitive races around the nation, including in the 5th Congressional District.

    “The investment we’re announcing today in the Connecticut Democratic Party shows these priorities in action,” Harrison said. “Connecticut Democrats will ensure working families can get ahead, while standing up to Trump and Republicans’ extreme agenda to rip away Americans’ most fundamental rights. With Vice President Harris at the helm and record-breaking investments in coordinated campaigns, the DNC and Democratic state parties across the country have the momentum to strengthen coordinated operations in the critical final stretch to November to deliver wins for Democrats.”

    Connecticut state Democratic chairwoman Nancy DiNardo said the Hayes race is “the number one priority for Connecticut Democrats” this year.

    “We welcome the support for voter outreach, and with help from the DNC, we will deliver wins for Harris-Walz, and every member of the federal delegation on the ballot,” she said.

    After raising millions of dollars, the party says it is making “the largest-ever investment in state parties from the DNC” and an “historic multi-million dollar investment cycle-to-date for targeted resource deployment” as the election approaches.

    Third-party money

    Outside money has been pouring into the 5th Congressional District as the Hayes-Logan race is watched nationally.

    A third-party group, known as Americans for Prosperity Action in Arlington, Va., has been sending two-sided, full color flyers to homes across the district. With Logan’s picture on both sides, the mailer says Logan will “lower inflation, secure the border” and keep communities safe.

    “As the grandson of immigrants from Jamaica, George Logan knows the importance of a fair immigration system,” the mailer states. “He will work across the aisle to secure the border and fix the immigration system.”

    While national Democrats are raising money for Hayes, so are Connecticut Democrats.

    U.S. Rep. Jim Himes sent an email Friday to his supporters in a district that includes some of the state’s wealthiest Democrats in Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Wilton and Weston, among others.

    “With Jahana facing a tough re-election this year, I’m reaching out today to ask if you will make a contribution to her campaign,” Himes wrote to supporters. “I know your donation will help to lift up her team during this final stretch. I’m so grateful for anything you can give, and I know she is too.”

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