Midterms 2018: Jahana Hayes vs. Manny Santos in Connecticut’s 5th District

In Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District, Democrat Jahana Hayes is running against Republican Manny Santos for a seat left open by current Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who is retiring.

Hayes is an educator who was named National Teacher of the Year in 2016 by President Barack Obama. She was considered an underdog in the Democratic primary, where she ran against and defeated longtime politician Mary Glassman.

Santos is a Marine and former one-term mayor of Meriden, Connecticut. He is a Portuguese immigrant and staunch pro-Trump Republican who supports building a wall along the US-Mexico border, repealing Obamacare, and protecting gun rights.

If Hayes wins the race, she would be the first black woman to represent Connecticut in the House of Representatives. The Fifth District has a checkered red and blue history, but Democrats have held this seat since 2007. Prior to Esty, who is retiring, the seat was held by Chris Murphy, who is now a US senator.