Who Is Running in Connecticut Congressional District 2nd in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Joseph Courtney
(Incumbent)Economy
HighJoseph Courtney voted to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits (H.R. 1834) to help lower healthcare costs for constituents struggling with the cost of living. He criticized student loan caps in H.R. 1 for cutting graduate loans for nursing students and other professions, which he stated would increase education costs. Courtney also supported the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) to facilitate housing construction and has worked to secure investments for submarine production, supporting defense jobs.
Immigration
HighJoseph Courtney voted against a government funding bill because it lacked reforms for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He stated he would not support full-year DHS funding without critical reforms designed to address what he termed "ICE’s lawlessness." This indicates a focus on regulating and reining in ICE operations.
Healthcare
HighJoseph Courtney voted to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits by supporting H.R. 1834 in 2026, aiming to lower healthcare costs for struggling Americans. He also voted against President Trump’s H.R. 1 in 2025, opposing its nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts, which he argued would strip coverage and force hospitals to cut services. Courtney advocates for every American to have access to affordable health care.
Republican Candidate
No Republican candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Joseph Courtney |
|---|---|
| Economy | Joseph Courtney voted to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits (H.R. 1834) to help lower healthcare costs for constituents struggling with the cost of living. He criticized student loan caps in H.R. 1 for cutting graduate loans for nursing students and other professions, which he stated would increase education costs. Courtney also supported the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) to facilitate housing construction and has worked to secure investments for submarine production, supporting defense jobs. High |
| Immigration | Joseph Courtney voted against a government funding bill because it lacked reforms for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He stated he would not support full-year DHS funding without critical reforms designed to address what he termed "ICE’s lawlessness." This indicates a focus on regulating and reining in ICE operations. High |
| Healthcare | Joseph Courtney voted to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits by supporting H.R. 1834 in 2026, aiming to lower healthcare costs for struggling Americans. He also voted against President Trump’s H.R. 1 in 2025, opposing its nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts, which he argued would strip coverage and force hospitals to cut services. Courtney advocates for every American to have access to affordable health care. High |
| Climate & Energy | Joseph Courtney supports aggressive action to protect environmental interests, including investment in renewable energy, emissions reduction, and green manufacturing. He has indicated support for federal initiatives on climate change, as evidenced by the House's rejection of an amendment on September 4, 2025, which aimed to curtail federal authority over the domestic energy sector and criticize climate-change executive orders. Medium |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Joseph Courtney supports abortion rights, advocating for the restoration of Roe v. Wade to protect individual medical privacy. He voted against banning federal health coverage for abortion and for expanding embryonic stem cell research. Courtney is endorsed by NARAL, reflecting his pro-choice stance and commitment to reproductive freedom and healthcare access. High |
| Foreign Policy | Congressman Joseph Courtney voted to advance the bipartisan FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, which included his amendment to boost Virginia-class submarine funding to maintain a two-per-year build rate. He also voted for a national security aid package to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and provide humanitarian aid. He states that the military and defense industrial base require stable federal budgets to operate effectively. High |
| Education | Joseph Courtney, a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, supports federal funding for public education and student aid. He opposed student loan caps in H.R. 1, citing concerns they would reduce graduate-level loans for critical professions such as nursing. Courtney voted against reauthorizing the DC opportunity scholarship program and generally opposes private school voucher programs. He is endorsed by the National Education Association for his commitment to public education. High |
| Gun Policy | Research pending more substantial sources. High |
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