Connecticut 2nd District
Joe Courtney (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Joe Courtney
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 52 of 123 votes and bills.
Raised $966,514 since January 2025: 55% from PACs and other committees, 44% from people, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
George Austin
Republican · small business owner from eastern Connecticut with a background in construction, first-time candidate
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Austin has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Austin.
Raised $314,977 since January 2025: 76% the candidate’s own money, 19% from people, 2% from the party. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: George Austin. George Austin: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Joe Courtney: F, 37 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in Connecticut: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
George Austin, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Austin, so the grade above comes from this list: what Austin has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Marked Strongly Agree that the Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber, intellectual property and economic threats to the United States.
“The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States. Strongly Agree”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Naming the Chinese Communist Party as a serious threat follows the rule of confronting regimes that rule by fear.
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Marked Strongly Agree that Islamic terrorism is a threat to the national security of the United States.
“Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security. Strongly Agree”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Calling terrorism a national security threat follows the rule of confronting terror groups.
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Says he is not in favor of the war in Iran, naming no bill or policy.
“I'm not in favor of the war in Iran, and I'm not in favor of this nonchalant attitude that he and most of Congress evidently have towards AI.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Opposing the war with no policy named does not settle the measure (BRIEF, calls that come up).
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Says America's relationship with Israel is important because Israel shares Western values and is a strategic ally.
“Yes, this is true because Israel shares many Western cultural and political values and serves as a strategically important ally in the Middle East.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel as an ally follows the measure's rule of standing with democracies.
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Marked Strongly Agree that free enterprise and private property are essential to a productive economy.
“Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system. Strongly Agree”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing free enterprise follows the free-markets rule, though no specific tax or rule is named.
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Marked Strongly Agree that biological males should not take part in women's sports or use women's spaces such as locker rooms and prisons.
“Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison. Strongly Agree”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport and spaces female follows the equal-rights rule.
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Defines separation of church and state as no state-sponsored religion and no state compulsion to practise a faith.
“That there is no state sponsored religion and the state cannot compel anyone to practice a certain faith.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A state that sponsors no religion and compels none follows the rule that the state takes no side on religion.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Connecticut 2nd District
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