Federal

U.S. Representative, 5th Congressional District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

Party lines from the Burlington, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen and Harwinton sample ballots: A Democratic, B Republican, C Working Families.

Candidates Compare by issue

Chris Shea

Republican

Firefighter; retired Navy SEAL · Cheshire

The gist

Supports stopping illegal immigration and funding border patrol
Pledges to lower energy costs and the tax burden
Supports U.S. backing for Israel's right to self-defense
Pledges to improve veterans' access to VA care
Pledges to cut wasteful federal spending

More about Chris

View sources (1)

Supports stopping illegal immigration and funding border patrol
Issues
Campaign website · Chris Shea for Congress · chrissheaforcongress.com
“He will fight to fund border patrol, support law enforcement, and put the safety of American families first.”
Pledges to lower energy costs and the tax burden
Issues
Campaign website · Chris Shea for Congress · chrissheaforcongress.com
“He will fight for policies that lower energy costs, reduce the tax burden, and promote practical housing solutions”
Supports U.S. backing for Israel's right to self-defense
Issues
Campaign website · Chris Shea for Congress · chrissheaforcongress.com
“Chris believes America should stand with our ally Israel and support its right to self-defense.”
Pledges to improve veterans' access to VA care
Issues
Campaign website · Chris Shea for Congress · chrissheaforcongress.com
“Chris will fight to improve access to the VA, cut through bureaucratic delays”
Pledges to cut wasteful federal spending
Issues
Campaign website · Chris Shea for Congress · chrissheaforcongress.com
“Chris is running to protect American families, cut wasteful spending in Washington, lower the cost of living, reduce red tape”

Jahana Hayes

Democratic/Working FamiliesIncumbent

U.S. Representative

The gist

Supports Medicare for All
Supports red flag laws and expanded background checks
Supports a path to citizenship for Dreamers
Supports protecting SNAP, WIC and school lunch programs
Supports the PRO Act protecting workers' right to organize
Supports access to reproductive care

More about Jahana

View sources (5)

Supports Medicare for All
Health Care
Campaign website · Hayes for Congress · jahanahayes.com
“In addition to supporting Medicare for All, she has worked to curb surprise billing, cap prescription drug costs”
Supports red flag laws and expanded background checks
Gun Violence
Campaign website · Hayes for Congress · jahanahayes.com
“From advocating for red flag laws, expanded background checks, gun buyback programs”
Supports a path to citizenship for Dreamers
Immigration
Campaign website · Hayes for Congress · jahanahayes.com
“Congresswoman Hayes continues to support comprehensive legislation to offer a path to citizenship for Dreamers”
Supports protecting SNAP, WIC and school lunch programs
Food Security
Campaign website · Hayes for Congress · jahanahayes.com
“expanding and protecting access to programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)”
Supports the PRO Act protecting workers' right to organize
Issues
Campaign website · Hayes for Congress · jahanahayes.com
“She has been a supporter of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act”
Supports access to reproductive care
Issues
Campaign website · Hayes for Congress · jahanahayes.com
“Congresswoman Jahana Hayes knows that access to reproductive care is access to health care.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.