Amy
Chai
Republican physician Amy Chai challenges for Connecticut's 1st Congressional District seat in 2026
- sources
- 12
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Amy Chai is the Republican challenger for Connecticut's 1st Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. The Federal Election Commission categorizes her as a challenger, not the incumbent. [11, 16]
Chai is a physician specializing in primary care and addiction medicine, described by NBC Connecticut in August 2026 as a "Middletown physician." A Connecticut Counseling Centers FY 2023–24 annual report lists her as medical director at its Waterbury clinic. [2, 14, 19]
Her campaign biography lists her educational background as a BA in biology from Johns Hopkins University, an MD from Indiana University School of Medicine, an internal medicine residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center, and a general medicine fellowship and MS in epidemiology from the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center. 2
Chai previously ran for U.S. House in Connecticut's 3rd District in 2022 as an Independent Party candidate, a candidacy she did not win. 5
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Connecticut
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Physician (primary care and addiction medicine); Medical Director, Connecticut Counseling Centers (Waterbury clinic)
- Website
- chaiforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownfilingChai campaign fundraising modest: ~$21K raised, ~$16K spent, $344 cash on hand through July 22
FEC-based race-tracking data showed Chai's campaign had raised approximately $21,000, spent about $16,000, and held $344 cash on hand as of July 22 (an earlier cutoff of June 30 was cited by another guide). These are campaign-committee figures only.
Connecticut's 1st Congressional District 2026: Bronin vs. Chai | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsPolicy roundup finds no detailed public position from Chai on federal marijuana-law reform
A nationwide policy roundup published by the Marijuana Herald on Oct. 7 reported it had not located a detailed public position from Chai on federal marijuana-law issues.
Election 2026: Where Candidates in All 435 U.S. House ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22newsChai outlines priorities: mental illness, addiction prevention; motto 'listen more, hate less'
The Hartford Courant reported that Chai's stated focus is on preventing mental illness and addiction. She was quoted on primary day saying her motto is 'listen more, hate less.'
Longtime CT lawmaker won't seek third-party run after primary defeat · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21newsJohn Larson rules out third-party run, confirming Bronin–Chai as November matchup
Larson's spokesperson confirmed he would not pursue another route to the ballot, leaving Amy Chai and Luke Bronin as the two reported November contenders in Connecticut's 1st District.
John Larson officially won't seek another path to Congress · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 2newsThird-party endorsement deadline passes with no WFP candidate in CT-1
The Working Families Party did not endorse a candidate in the district, and the Sept. 2 deadline for a third-party endorsement passed, narrowing the November ballot to Bronin and Chai.
John Larson officially won't seek another path to Congress · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 11filingAmy Chai secures Republican nomination for CT-1 unopposed
Chai secured the Republican nomination for Connecticut's 1st Congressional District without opposition, setting up a general-election matchup against Democrat Luke Bronin.
2026 U.S. Election Overview: Key Races, Congressional Control ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 11newsDemocratic primary reshapes CT-1 general-election field: Bronin defeats Larson
Luke Bronin defeated incumbent John Larson in the Democratic primary, receiving 54% of the vote to Larson's 33%, with two other candidates splitting the remaining 13%. This opened the way for a Bronin–Chai general-election contest.
John Larson officially won't seek another path to Congress · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Independent Party of Connecticut organizationThe Independent Party of Connecticut endorsed Amy Chai as an independent congressional candidate in the 1st Congressional District, distinct from cross-endorsements of major-party nominees. yahoo.com · Aug 26, 2026
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. House CT-03 · IP | Lost | 4,056 | 1.7% |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $21K
- Spent
- $16K
- Cash on hand
- $344
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H2CT03102(opens in a new tab)
Sources 12
- [1] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [2] Election 2026: Where Candidates in All 435 U.S. House ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] 2026 U.S. Election Overview: Key Races, Congressional Control ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [4] Amy Chai For Congress | CT-1 District(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Connecticut's 1st Congressional District 2026: Bronin vs. Chai | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [6] Longtime CT lawmaker won't seek third-party run after primary defeat(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [7] John Larson officially won't seek another path to Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [8] Connecticut Independent Party cross-endorses dozens of 2026 ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
- [9] Face the Facts: Republican Amy Chai lays out priorities in ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 24, 2026
- [10] CT's 1st Congressional District candidates share housing ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
- [11] Congressional Candidate Chai Eyes "4th Trimester"(opens in a new tab) Sep 1, 2022
- [12] Issues(opens in a new tab) Jan 1, 2016