SHARE

Debicella Concedes To Himes In Race For Congressional Seat

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Democrat Jim Himes defeated Republican Dan Debicella in Tuesday's election for the Fourth Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrat Jim Himes defeated Republican Dan Debicella in Tuesday's congressional election.

Democrat Jim Himes defeated Republican Dan Debicella in Tuesday's congressional election.

Photo Credit: File
Democrat Jim Himes defeated Republican Dan Debicella in Tuesday's congressional election.

Democrat Jim Himes defeated Republican Dan Debicella in Tuesday's congressional election.

Photo Credit: File

Debicella conceded the race to Himes shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday. Himes is a three-term incumbent from Greenwich who was first elected to Congress in 2008. Debicella is a businessman and former state senator from Shelton. The two previously ran against each other in 2010, when Himes won with 53 percent of the vote.

The major issue throughout this year's race was the economy. In his campaign Himes pointed to economic recovery that the state has seen since he has been in office, though said that more work still needed to be done to get Connecticut and the rest of the country back on track. Debicella said that Himes was ineffective in office and had become part of the problem in Washington, and that new leadership was needed to speed up economic recovery.

Transportation was another major issue in this year's race. Himes said that it was crucial to invest in the state's transportation infrastructure, and touted successes such as new funding for the Walk Bridge in Norwalk. He said that similar investments would help bring Fairfield County's roads and rails into the 21st Century. Debicella said that new creative ideas were needed, and suggested options such as new exit and entrance ramps on I-95 and the Merritt to ease congestion at crucial choke points.

Other major issues included campaign contributions, the Affordable Healthcare Act, arming Syrian rebels to fight ISIS and reaching across the aisle to reduce partisan politics in Congress. Both candidates said that they were in favor of raising the minimum wage. Throughout the campaign, both also said that they did not want to engage in partisan mud-slinging, but in several debates took shots at each other for their voting records and effectiveness in office.

Stay tuned to the Daily Voice for more coverage on Tuesday's congressional election.

to follow Daily Voice Greenwich and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE