CT Congress Primary 2022: Stevenson Vs. Goldstein

DARIEN, CT — It's Primary Day in Connecticut, and thousands of residents are heading to the polls to determine candidates for offices in November.

Notably on Tuesday, Republican voters will decide between Jayme Stevenson and Dr. Michael Goldstein, with the winner moving on to challenge incumbent Congressman and Democrat Jim Himes in the 4th Congressional District.

Stevenson earned her party's endorsement, but Goldstein gathered the requisite number of signatures to force a primary.

The District

The 4th Congressional District covers 17 towns: Bridgeport; Darien; Easton; Fairfield; Greenwich; Monroe; New Canaan; Norwalk; Oxford; Redding; Ridgefield; Shelton; Stamford; Trumbull; Weston; Westport; and Wilton.

Himes, who is a Greenwich resident, has served as the U.S. representative for the district since 2009.

The Primary Candidates

Jayme Stevenson

Stevenson is a resident of Darien, and served as first selectman for the town for 10 years. She did not seek re-election last fall.

According to her campaign website, Stevenson's priorities include the economy, taxes, energy independence and public safety.

On the economy, Stevenson says the state "must pursue a common sense, pro-growth agenda that benefits everyone."

Stevenson said that sweeping criminal justice reform in Connecticut has resulted din a rise in violent crime. She believes supporting police with the correct tools and training should be coupled with community-based strategies for fighting crime. She noted that School Resource Officers "are beneficial and essential in public schools."

On education, Stevenson said she'd fight to return curriculum oversight to towns and cities, and she'd promote choice and economic equality in education.

On abortion, Stevenson said in a statement she'd pledge to "work tirelessly as your representative to restore our hard-fought rights and protect medical equality for all women.

"No matter a woman’s views on the deeply personal abortion issue, women are afraid and frustrated, and they feel as if their voices no longer matter. In short, they’re feeling 'less than.' And that’s not acceptable," Stevenson added.

Michael Goldstein

Goldstein, a board certified physician and a lawyer, served as the president for the New York County Medical Society for two terms, and as the president of the SUNY Downstate Alumni Association. He's a Greenwich resident who has lived in Connecticut for 30 years.

According to his campaign website, Goldstein is running on a platform that supports secure borders, affordable food, energy and healthcare, parental rights and no mandates, as well as medical, religious and school choice.

"I am running for Congress as I am tired of seeing the Democrats of this Constitution State not abiding by the constitution and will do everything I can to prevent the state from becoming the next Detroit," Goldstein said.

In a blog post on his campaign website on the issue of abortion, Goldstein said he agreed with the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

"Contrary to popular belief, this decision did not outlaw abortions; it merely states that each state has the right to determine its own abortion policy," Goldstein said.

He added that he'd "work to ensure that our healthcare system provides cost effective humane medical care to everyone."