Chris
Shea
Navy SEAL veteran and firefighter Chris Shea is the 2026 Republican nominee challenging Rep. Jahana Hayes in Connecticut's 5th Congressional District.
- sources
- 12
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 9
Background
Chris Shea is the Republican nominee for Connecticut's 5th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. A Watertown native who now resides in Cheshire, Shea served in the U.S. Navy from 1991 until retiring in January 2024, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 and serving as a Navy SEAL. 236
Alongside his military career, Shea began working as a firefighter in 2009 and currently holds a lieutenant position with the North Haven Fire Department. He also founded and serves as president of the nonprofit Hero to Hero, Inc., and has owned and operated a small handyman business. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Charter Oak State College. 146
Shea announced his congressional campaign in January 2026 and won the Republican primary on August 11, 2026, defeating his primary opponent. 51011 He is challenging incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes, who has held the CT-5 seat since 2019. 68
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 5, Connecticut
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Lieutenant, North Haven Fire Department; founder and president, Hero to Hero, Inc.
- Website
- chrissheaforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11newsHartford Courant profiles Shea as former Navy SEAL and pro-Trump challenger to Jahana Hayes
The Hartford Courant profiled Shea, describing him as a former Navy SEAL and North Haven firefighter who supports eliminating federal taxes on tips and overtime, opposes transgender girls in girls' sports, and prioritizes lowering the cost of living, cutting federal spending, and supporting law enforcement. The paper also noted a significant fundraising gap, with Hayes holding roughly $1 million cash on hand versus Shea's approximately $145,000–$146,000 as of their respective reporting dates.
Former Navy SEAL and pro-Trump Republican challenging Jahana Hayes in CT-5 · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 27newsWFSB profiles Shea as Republican candidate running to represent CT's 5th District
WFSB aired a segment featuring Chris Shea as the Republican candidate running to represent Connecticut's 5th Congressional District.
CT '26: Chris Shea is running to represent CT's 5th District · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 27newsShea interviewed on WTNH's This Week in Connecticut as GOP-endorsed candidate
WTNH's This Week in Connecticut interviewed Shea about his campaign as the Republican Party-endorsed candidate for CT-05.
Meet the Republican candidate for Connecticut's 5th congressional district · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsWaterbury Times reports on Republican convention vote dynamics between De Barros and Shea
The Waterbury Times investigated what happened to the votes at the Republican convention where Shea was endorsed over De Barros.
The Waterbury Times Investigates: What Happened to the Votes? · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingShea certified as Republican candidate on November 3 general-election ballot
Connecticut Secretary of the State records list Shea as the certified Republican candidate facing incumbent Democrat Jahana Hayes in the November 3 general election.
Chris Shea (R) — U.S. Representative, CT-05 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 11filingShea wins Republican primary against Jonathan De Barros 81%–19%
Chris Shea won the Republican primary against Jonathan De Barros by a margin of approximately 81% to 19%, securing the Republican nomination for CT-05.
CT-05 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 1endorsementChris Shea receives Republican Party endorsement at district convention
Shea received the district Republican Party endorsement at the party convention, becoming the GOP-endorsed candidate for Connecticut's 5th Congressional District.
Chris Shea — 2026 Connecticut's 5th Congressional District ... · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- SEAL PAC organizationListed among Shea's endorsers on the Combat Veterans for Congress PAC candidate page. combatveteransforcongress.org
- NoHFD Professional Firefighters unionListed among Shea's endorsers on the Combat Veterans for Congress PAC candidate page. combatveteransforcongress.org
- Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) officialListed among Shea's endorsers on the Combat Veterans for Congress PAC candidate page. combatveteransforcongress.org
- Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) officialListed among Shea's endorsers on the Combat Veterans for Congress PAC candidate page. combatveteransforcongress.org
- Combat Veterans for Congress PAC organizationThe PAC's candidate page identifies Shea as its endorsed candidate. combatveteransforcongress.org
- Rep. John McGuire (R-Va.) officialListed among Shea's endorsers on the Combat Veterans for Congress PAC candidate page. combatveteransforcongress.org
- Stephen Harding, Connecticut Senate Republican Leader officialListed among Shea's endorsers on iVoterGuide candidate profile. ivoterguide.com
- Rep. Rob Simmons, former U.S. Representative from Connecticut officialListed among Shea's endorsers on iVoterGuide candidate profile. ivoterguide.com
- Connecticut Republican Party officialShea won the party's convention endorsement on a roll call at the state GOP convention. ctmirror.org · May 15, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $312K
- Spent
- $166K
- Cash on hand
- $146K
As of Jul 22, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CT05231(opens in a new tab)
Sources 12
- [1] Former Navy SEAL and pro-Trump Republican challenging Jahana Hayes in CT-5(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] CT-05 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Chris Shea — 2026 Connecticut's 5th Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [4] CT '26: Chris Shea is running to represent CT's 5th District(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [5] Meet the Republican candidate for Connecticut's 5th congressional district(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [6] Chris Shea (R) — U.S. Representative, CT-05 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [7] The Waterbury Times Investigates: What Happened to the Votes?(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [8] Chris Shea - Connecticut Republican Primary(opens in a new tab) Sep 2, 2026
- [9] CWO4 Chris Shea(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2026
- [10] 2 Republican candidates make late push for votes in CT's 5th Congressional District election(opens in a new tab) Aug 8, 2026
- [11] CT GOP opens convention, nominating down-ballot candidates(opens in a new tab) May 15, 2026
- [12] Issues - Chris Shea for Congress(opens in a new tab) Apr 23, 2026