A quick guide for voters trying to understand the political lane in CT-05

By The Waterbury Times|Published Feb 20, 2026

Waterbury-Every election cycle in Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District — which includes Waterbury, Danbury, Meriden, and the Litchfield Hills — voters hear the word “progressive” thrown around.

But what does that actually mean here?
And more importantly: who has the progressive movement historically supported in CT-05?

Here’s a simple, non-insider guide to help you understand the political lane.

---

First — what does “progressive” mean in CT politics?

In Connecticut, “progressive” usually refers to candidates supported by:

• organized labor
• public-sector unions (especially teachers)
• criminal justice reform advocates
• healthcare access groups
• and the Working Families Party (WFP)

These groups tend to support candidates who push:

• higher wages
• expanded healthcare
• public education funding
• tenant protections
• and equity-focused policy

In CT-05, the WFP is often the clearest signal of who the progressive lane is behind.

---

🗺️ The CT-05 progressive timeline

Here’s how that lane has evolved over the last two decades:

---

🟦 2006–2012: Chris Murphy

Murphy flipped the district from Republican to Democrat in 2006.

At the time, he was viewed as a modern progressive voice — especially on:

• gun safety
• consumer protection
• healthcare reform

He later left the seat to run for U.S. Senate.

---

🟨 2012 primary: Chris Donovan

When Murphy vacated the seat, the progressive base initially rallied behind Donovan, then Speaker of the Connecticut House.

• He had strong labor backing
• And early support from the Working Families Party

He ultimately lost the Democratic primary, but represented the clearest progressive candidate in that race.

---

🟩 2013–2018: Elizabeth Esty

Esty won the seat and served three terms.

She was considered:

• a mainstream Democrat
• with some progressive policy alignment

But she was not viewed as the movement-progressive favorite in the way Donovan or later candidates would be.

---

🟪 2018–Present: Jahana Hayes

Waterbury Gets 1.7% of $10Million from Congresswoman Jahana Hayes ( Don’t worry we did the math for you )

After Esty stepped down, the progressive lane reopened.

In 2018:

• the Working Families Party
• teachers unions
• national progressive groups

all consolidated behind Jahana Hayes, a former National Teacher of the Year.

She defeated establishment-backed candidate Mary Glassman in the primary and has held the seat since.

---

📌 What this means for voters today

As of now:

👉 The organized progressive infrastructure in CT-05 has consistently aligned behind the sitting incumbent, Jahana Hayes.

What Did Rep. Jahana Hayes Actually Secure — and What Was Automatic?

That includes:

• Working Families Party support
• labor and teacher unions
• national progressive voter groups

Challengers can still emerge — and sometimes do — but they must build their own coalition if they want to compete in the progressive lane.

---

🧠 Why this matters in every election cycle

Understanding who progressives back matters because:

✔ It signals where grassroots organizing power is going
✔ It often predicts primary election outcomes
✔ It shapes the issues that dominate the campaign (education, housing, wages, justice reform)

In a district like CT-05 — where primaries often decide the winner — that lane can be decisive.

---

🗳️ Bottom line

Over the last 20 years, the progressive line in Connecticut’s 5th District has evolved like this:

➡️ Murphy → Donovan → Hayes

With Jahana Hayes currently holding the support of the district’s progressive coalition.

---

If you’re a voter in Waterbury or anywhere in CT-05, understanding this lane helps answer a key question every cycle:

👉 Not just who is running — but who has the movement behind them.

Waterbury CT Local News