The Waterbury Times|Congressional Watch|Aug 11, 2026

Updated August 12, 2026 7:34am

Chris Shea Wins Republican Primary for U.S. House District 5, Will Face Jahana Hayes

WATERBURY, CT — The Waterbury Times Election Update

With 100% of precincts reporting, Chris Shea has won the Republican primary for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District and will advance to the November general election against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes.

Shea defeated Jonathan DeBarros in Tuesday’s primary, receiving 11,808 votes (56%) compared to DeBarros’ 9,424 votes (44%).

The race drew significant attention after DeBarros mounted a grassroots challenge and forced a Republican primary after building support among delegates. His campaign, which began more than 18 months ago, energized supporters across the district and brought a competitive primary contest to the 5th District.

The Waterbury Times was on the ground Tuesday night at the Jonathan DeBarros watch party as supporters gathered to await the results.

Shea will now shift focus toward the November election, where he will challenge Hayes in a district that includes Waterbury and communities throughout western and central Connecticut.

Final Republican Primary Results — U.S. House District 5

🥇 Chris Shea: 11,808 votes — 56%
🥈 Jonathan DeBarros: 9,424 votes — 44%

More Election Night coverage from The Waterbury Times.

WATERBURY, CT — 9:15 PM UPDATE — The Waterbury Times

The Republican primary race for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District has been called.

Chris Shea has defeated Jonathan DeBarros and will advance to the November general election to challenge Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes.

According to results available Tuesday night:

Chris Shea: 5,210 votes
Jonathan DeBarros: 1,248 votes

The victory ends a months-long Republican primary battle that saw DeBarros force a primary challenge after building enough delegate support to get on the ballot.

Shea, a former Navy SEAL and firefighter, now moves on to face Hayes in November in a district that includes Waterbury and communities throughout western and central Connecticut.

The Waterbury Times was on the ground tonight covering the DeBarros campaign watch party as supporters waited for the results of a grassroots effort that began more than 18 months ago.

More Election Night coverage coming from The Waterbury Times.

WATERBURY, CT — The moment that began more than 18 months ago has arrived.

Supporters of Jonathan DeBarros gathered in Waterbury Tuesday night for his Republican primary watch party as the results of the 5th Congressional District primary are set to be revealed.

The campaign, built around a grassroots effort that challenged the party establishment, reached this moment after DeBarros successfully forced a Republican primary by securing nearly 25% of delegate support — enough to earn a spot on the ballot and give voters the final say.

For months, DeBarros and his supporters have traveled across the district building momentum, collecting signatures, organizing volunteers, and making the case that Republican voters deserved a choice in the race.

Now, the outcome of that effort will determine who earns the Republican nomination and moves forward to face Democratic incumbent Jahana Hayes in the November general election.

Waterbury Times Live is on the ground in Waterbury as the results come in.

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