A popular former first selectwoman and a doctor on Monday announced their intention to seek the Republican nomination to run for the 4th congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes.
“I am running for Congress to bring principled, bridge-building leadership to Washington and to inspire healthier discussions that garner better results for Connecticut,” said Jayme Stevenson. “Elections are about embracing the status quo or using your voice to create positive change. I am ready to connect, communicate and find better solutions for southwestern Connecticut.”
Stevenson said she has 12 years of public service under her belt — including a decade as Darien’s top elected official. Himes, a Democrat, has held his seat since 2009.
Her announcement prompted another Republican to throw his hat in the ring. Dr. Michael T. Goldstein, a physician and former New York County Medical Society president, said that he, too, wants to challenge Himes.
“Competition is a part of the political process and gives our people the opportunity to make choices for their future,” he said. “A successful candidate will need to appeal to independent voters and those Democrats who have been disenfranchised by their party on false promises, lack of school choice, control of their health decisions, no support for their small businesses, no concrete solutions to curb inflation and soaring gas prices and accountability of their elected representatives.” He also said it’s time for Washington to have doctors to reform the healthcare system from the inside.
Stevenson indicated in her announcement that the war in Ukraine factored into her decision to run for national office.
“Global tensions exacerbate growing domestic crises making today’s America unrecognizable to me. Skyrocketing food and gas prices, rising crime, mental health and education are all weighing on the hearts and minds of American families. Through all this, there is misplaced focus on extremism and clickbait headlines more than on coming together to find solutions to the serious problems we face,” Stevenson said.
“I know you share these same concerns. There is an alternative to the political insanity. I have managed to bring people together in Darien, throughout the region and across the state over my 12 years of public service and to successfully lead through a global pandemic,” she said. “Managing a local government, I worked to keep residents safe and to ensure a sustainable cost of living through responsible budgeting. I’m running for Congress to bring that same success as your experienced, steady voice in Washington.”
Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.