# Connecticut's 4th congressional district

Connecticut's 4th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in the southwestern part of the state, the district is largely suburban and extends from Bridgeport, the largest city in the state, to Greenwich – an area largely coextensive with the Connecticut side of the New York metropolitan area. The district also extends inland, toward Danbury and toward the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
The district is currently represented by Democrat Jim Himes. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+13, it is the most Democratic district in Connecticut, a state with an all-Democratic congressional delegation. Historically, the 4th was a classic "Yankee Republican" district. However, it has not supported a Republican for president since 1988, and has swung increasingly Democratic at the national level since the 1990s. This culminated in 2020, when Joe Biden won it with 64 percent of the vote, his best showing in the state.
However, even as the district swung increasingly Democratic at the national level, Republicans usually held this district without serious difficulty until the turn of the millennium. In 2004, however, Democrat Diane Farrell held longtime incumbent Chris Shays to only 52 percent of the vote, the closest race in the district in 30 years. Shays fended off an equally spirited challenge from Farrell in 2006 before losing to Himes in 2008. Himes has held the seat ever since.

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), Connecticut's 4th district contains portions of three planning regions and 18 municipalities.
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region (5)
    Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Trumbull
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region (2)
    Oxford, Shelton (part; also 3rd)
Western Connecticut Planning Region (11)
    Danbury (part; also 5th), Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport, Wilton

### Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 30, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Active | Inactive | Total | Percentage |
| | Democratic | 141,355 | 9,427 | 150,782 | 36.17% |
| | Republican | 98,663 | 5,106 | 103,769 | 24.89% |
| | Minor Parties | 3,737 | 312 | 4,049 | 0.97% |
| | Unaffiliated | 146,218 | 12,043 | 158,261 | 37.97% |
| Total | Total | 389,973 | 26,888 | 416,861 | 100.00% |

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 60% - 39% |
| 2010 | Senate | Blumenthal 52% - 47% |
| 2010 | Governor | Malloy 50% - 49% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 56% - 44% |
| 2012 | Senate | Murphy 54% - 46% |
| 2014 | Governor | Malloy 50% - 49% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 60% - 36% |
| 2016 | Senate | Blumenthal 62% - 36% |
| 2018 | Senate | Murphy 63% - 36% |
| 2018 | Governor | Lamont 54% - 44% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Tong 58% - 42% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 65% - 34% |
| 2022 | Senate | Blumenthal 61% - 39% |
| 2022 | Governor | Lamont 60% - 39% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Tong 59% - 40% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Thomas 58% - 40% |
| 2022 | Treasurer | Russell 53% - 45% |
| 2022 | Comptroller | Scanlon 57% - 43% |
| 2024 | President | Harris 61% - 38% |
| 2024 | Senate | Murphy 61% - 37% |

## Recent elections
### 1987 (special)

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 1987: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays | 50,518 | 57% |
| | Democratic | Christine Niedermeier | 37,293 | 42% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 87,811 | 100% |

### 1988

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 1988: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 147,843 | 72% |
| | Democratic | Roger J. Pearson | 55,751 | 27% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 203,594 | 100% |

### 1990

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 1990: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 105,682 | 77% |
| | Democratic | Al Smith | 32,352 | 23% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 138,034 | 100% |

### 1992

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 1992: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 147,816 | 67% |
| | Democratic | Dave Schropfer | 58,666 | 27% |
| | A Connecticut Party (1990) | Al Smith | 11,679 | 5% |
| | Natural Law | Ronald M. Fried | 1,445 | 1% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 219,606 | 100% |

### 1994

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 1994: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 109,436 | 74% |
| | Democratic | Jonathan Kantrowitz | 34,962 | 24% |
| | Libertarian | Irving Sussman | 1,976 | 1% |
| | Natural Law | Terry M. Nevas | 688 | 0.47% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 147,062 | 100% |

### 1996

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 1996: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 121,949 | 60% |
| | Democratic | William Finch | 75,902 | 38% |
| | Libertarian | Edward H. Tonkin | 2,815 | 1% |
| | Natural Law | Terry M. Nevas | 1,046 | 1% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 201,712 | 100% |

### 1998

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 1998: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 94,767 | 69% |
| | Democratic | Jonathan Kantrowitz | 40,988 | 28% |
| | Libertarian | Marshall C. Harrison | 1,449 | 1% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 137,204 | 100% |

### 2000

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 2000: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 119,155 | 58% |
| | Democratic | Stephanie Sanchez | 84,472 | 41% |
| | Libertarian | Daniel Gislao | 2,034 | 1% |
| | Independent | Frank M. Don | 1,097 | 0.53% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 206,758 | 100% |

### 2002

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 2002: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 113,197 | 64% |
| | Democratic | Stephanie Sanchez | 62,491 | 36% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 175,688 | 100% |

### 2004

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 2004: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 149,891 | 52% |
| | Democratic | Diane Farrell | 136,481 | 48% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 286,372 | 100% |

### 2006

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 2006: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 106,510 | 51% |
| | Democratic | Diane Farrell | 99,450 | 48% |
| | Libertarian | Phil Maymin | 3,058 | 1% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 209,018 | 100% |

### 2008

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 2008: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes | 159,694 | 51% |
| | Republican | Christopher Shays (incumbent) | 147,356 | 47% |
| | Libertarian | Michael A. Carrano | 2,036 | 1% |
| | Green | Richard Z. Duffee | 1,377 | 0.44% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 310,463 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | |

### 2010

Connecticut 4th congressional district election, 2010: Connecticut District 4 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 115,351 | 53% |
| | Republican | Daniel Debicella | 102,030 | 47% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 217,381 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

### 2012

Connecticut 4th Congressional District Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 174,461 | 60% |
| | Republican | Steve Obsitnik | 117,463 | 40% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 291,924 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

### 2014

Connecticut 4th Congressional District Election, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 106,873 | 54% |
| | Republican | Dan Debicella | 91,922 | 46% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 198,800 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

### 2016

Connecticut 4th Congressional District Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 185,928 | 60% |
| | Republican | John Shaban | 123,630 | 40% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 309,558 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

### 2018

Connecticut 4th Congressional District Election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 168,726 | 61% |
| | Republican | Harry Arora | 106,921 | 38% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 275,651 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

### 2020

Connecticut 4th Congressional District Election, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 223,832 | 62% |
| | Republican | Jonathan Riddle | 130,627 | 36% |
| | Independent | Brian Merlen | 5,656 | 1% |
| | Write-in | N/A | 10 | 0% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 360,125 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

### 2022

Connecticut 4th Congressional District Election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 140,262 | 59.4% | −2.6 |
| | Republican | Jayme Stevenson | 95,822 | 40.6% | +4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 236,084 | 100% | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |

### 2024

Connecticut 4th Congressional District Election, 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 200,791 | 61.1% | +1.7 |
| | Republican | Michael Goldstein | 122,793 | 37.3% | −3.3 |
| | Independent | Benjamin Wesley | 5,273 | 1.6% | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 328,857 | 100% | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |

## List of members representing the district

| Member (Residence) | Party | Years of service | Cong ress(es) | Electoral history | Location |
| District created March 4, 1837 ||||||
| Thomas T. Whittlesey (Danbury) | Democratic | March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839 | 25th | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1837. .[data missing] | |
| Thomas B. Osborne (Fairfield) | Whig | March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1843 | 26th 27th | Elected in 1839. Re-elected in 1840. Retired. | |
| Samuel Simons (Bridgeport) | Democratic | March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845 | 28th | Elected in 1843. Retired. | |
| Truman Smith (Litchfield) | Whig | March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1849 | 29th 30th | Elected in 1845. Re-elected in 1847. Retired to run for U.S. senator. | |
| Thomas B. Butler (Norwalk) | Whig | March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851 | 31st | Elected in 1849. Lost re-election. | |
| Origen S. Seymour (Litchfield) | Democratic | March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1855 | 32nd 33rd | Elected in 1851. Re-elected in 1853. Retired to become judge of the Connecticut Superior Court. | |
| William W. Welch (Norfolk) | American | March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | 34th | Elected in 1855. Retired. | |
| William D. Bishop (Bridgeport) | Democratic | March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859 | 35th | Elected in 1857. Lost re-election. | |
| Orris S. Ferry (Norwalk) | Republican | March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 | 36th | Elected in 1859. Lost re-election. | |
| George C. Woodruff (Litchfield) | Democratic | March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 | 37th | Elected in 1861. Lost re-election. | |
| John Henry Hubbard (Litchfield) | Republican | March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1867 | 38th 39th | Elected in 1863. Re-elected in 1865. Lost re-election. | |
| William Henry Barnum (Lime Rock) | Democratic | March 4, 1867 – May 18, 1876 | 40th 41st 42nd 43rd 44th | Elected in 1867. Re-elected in 1869. Re-elected in 1871. Re-elected in 1873. Re-elected in 1875. Resigned when elected U.S. senator. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | May 18, 1876 – December 4, 1876 | 44th | | |
| Levi Warner (Norwalk) | Democratic | December 4, 1876 – March 3, 1879 | 44th 45th | Elected to finish Barnum's term. Also elected to the next term in 1876. Retired. | |
| Frederick Miles (Chapinville) | Republican | March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883 | 46th 47th | Elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Retired. | |
| Edward Woodruff Seymour (Litchfield) | Democratic | March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1887 | 48th 49th | Elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Retired. | |
| Miles T. Granger (Canaan) | Democratic | March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889 | 50th | Elected in 1886. Retired. | |
| Frederick Miles (Chapinville) | Republican | March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1891 | 51st | Elected in 1888. Lost re-election. | |
| Robert E. De Forest (Bridgeport) | Democratic | March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1895 | 52nd 53rd | Elected in 1890. Re-elected in 1892. Lost re-election. | |
| Ebenezer J. Hill (Norwalk) | Republican | March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1913 | 54th 55th 56th 57th 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd | Elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Lost re-election. | |
| Jeremiah Donovan (South Norwalk) | Democratic | March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 | 63rd | Elected in 1912. Lost re-election. | |
| Ebenezer J. Hill (Norwalk) | Republican | March 4, 1915 – September 27, 1917 | 64th 65th | Elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Died. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | September 27, 1917 – November 6, 1917 | 65th | | |
| Schuyler Merritt (Stamford) | Republican | November 6, 1917 – March 3, 1931 | 65th 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st | Elected to finish Hill's term. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Lost re-election. | |
| William L. Tierney (Greenwich) | Democratic | March 4, 1931 – March 3, 1933 | 72nd | Elected in 1930. Lost re-election. | |
| Schuyler Merritt (Stamford) | Republican | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1937 | 73rd 74th | Elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Lost re-election. | |
| Alfred N. Phillips (Stamford) | Democratic | January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939 | 75th | Elected in 1936. Lost re-election. | |
| Albert E. Austin (Old Greenwich) | Republican | January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1941 | 76th | Elected in 1938. Lost re-election. | |
| Le Roy D. Downs (South Norwalk) | Democratic | January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1943 | 77th | Elected in 1940. Lost re-election. | |
| Clare Boothe Luce (Greenwich) | Republican | January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1947 | 78th 79th | Elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Retired. | |
| John Davis Lodge (Westport) | Republican | January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1951 | 80th 81st | Elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Retired to run for Governor of Connecticut. | |
| Albert P. Morano (Greenwich) | Republican | January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1959 | 82nd 83rd 84th 85th | Elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Lost re-election. | |
| Donald J. Irwin (Norwalk) | Democratic | January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961 | 86th | Elected in 1958. Lost re-election. | |
| Abner W. Sibal (Norwalk) | Republican | January 3, 1961 – January 3, 1965 | 87th 88th | Elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Lost re-election. | |
| Donald J. Irwin (Norwalk) | Democratic | January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1969 | 89th 90th | Elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Lost re-election. | |
| Lowell Weicker (Greenwich) | Republican | January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1971 | 91st | Elected in 1968. Retired to run for U.S. senator. | |
| Stewart McKinney (Westport) | Republican | January 3, 1971 – May 7, 1987 | 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th | Elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Died. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | May 7, 1987 – August 18, 1987 | 100th | | |
| Christopher Shays (Bridgeport) | Republican | August 18, 1987 – January 3, 2009 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th | Elected to finish McKinney's term. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Lost re-election. | |
| Christopher Shays (Bridgeport) | Republican | August 18, 1987 – January 3, 2009 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th | Elected to finish McKinney's term. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Lost re-election. | 1993–2003 [data missing] |
| Christopher Shays (Bridgeport) | Republican | August 18, 1987 – January 3, 2009 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th | Elected to finish McKinney's term. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Lost re-election. | 2003–2013 |
| Jim Himes (Cos Cob) | Democratic | January 3, 2009 – present | 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2003–2013 |
| Jim Himes (Cos Cob) | Democratic | January 3, 2009 – present | 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2013–2023 |
| Jim Himes (Cos Cob) | Democratic | January 3, 2009 – present | 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–present |