CT 4th Congressional District 2020: Himes, Riddle And Merlen

CONNECTICUT — Three candidates are vying for the 4th Congressional District in Connecticut. The seat is currently help by Democratic candidate Jim Himes, who is seeking a seventh term in Congress.

Jim Himes

Himes previously worked in the worked in business and non-profit affordable housing. He is a Rhodes scholar and earned a Masters degree from Oxford University and his undergraduate degree from Harvard University. He raised his family in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich.

Among his priorities are rebuilding rail and highway infrastructure in the U.S. and closing educational gaps, according to his campaign profile.

He supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15. He supported the Wall Street reform bill and wants to reform the home mortgage industry to better help borrowers.

Himes was against the SALT deduction caps that ended up increasing federal taxes on middle-class families in Connecticut.

Himes cosponsored the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which passed the House, but was blocked in the Senate. The bill would’ve implemented universal background checks for gun purchases.

Jonathan Riddle

Republican candidate Jonathan Riddle is the director of Altium, a financial consultant in Purchase, New York. He grew up in Westchester County and has lived in Connecticut for the past your years.

Riddle believes that Connecticut needs a major change to its transportation infrastructure, according to his campaign profile

He also believes the country needs better treatment and prevention for opioid misuse, including revamping treatment programs and reforming criminal justice system for drug use.

Riddle also said he believes President Donald Trump’s economic policies have bolstered growth in the country and that business development needs to be renewed in the 4th District.

Riddle also wants to propose term limits in Congress with four terms for the House and two for the Senate.

Brian Merlen

Independent Party candidate Brian Merlen works in video production. He doesn’t have previous elected political experience.

Merlen told Patch that the biggest issue facing Connecticut is the drug addiction crisis.

He supports Medicare for all, more accountability for institutions and more transparency in government.