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Redding's John Shaban To Challenge Jim Himes For Congress In 2014

REDDING, Conn. – State Rep. John Shaban (R-Redding, Easton and Weston) has announced that he will challenge U.S. Rep. Jim Himes for his seat in Congress in 2014.

State Rep. John Shaban currently represents Easton, Weston and Redding in the state House of Representatives.

State Rep. John Shaban currently represents Easton, Weston and Redding in the state House of Representatives.

Photo Credit: File

“The race for this congressional seat is a microcosm of the approach needed in Washington,” said Shaban, a Redding resident.  “We need new leadership, because doing the same things, with the same people, and repeatedly promising different results is unrealistic and does a disservice to the folks who live in our county and state.”

Shaban has served in Connecticut’s House of Representatives since 2010. In his most recent race in 2012, he collected about 52 percent of the vote in the 135th District, which covers Easton, Weston and parts of Redding. He serves on the General Assembly’s Environment, Judiciary and Finance committees.

In his announcement, Shaban said he will base his campaign around the slogan “Connecticut First.” He criticized current leaders in Washington who “have used Connecticut as a cash machine,” while driving up state taxes because of a lack of federal investment.

“Connecticut residents need and deserve leaders in Washington capable of breaking this cycle -- putting Connecticut first -- to keep more of our money here to balance our state and local budgets, spark entrepreneurship and job growth, and fuel a real economic comeback in the private sector,” Shaban said.

Connecticut’s Fourth District covers much of southern Fairfield County, ranging from Greenwich to Bridgeport and as far north as Ridgefield and Redding. Himes has held the seat since 2008, when he defeated incumbent Chris Shays. In 2012, he collected nearly 60 percent of the vote against challenger Steve Obsitnik.

Shaban is the second Republican to announce his intention to run for the seat in 2014. Shelton resident Dan Debicella started his campaign last week. Debicella was the party’s nominee in the Fourth District in 2010.

Professionally, Shaban works as an attorney at Greenwich law firm Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan. A former semi-pro football player, he also coaches youth football, including the 2008 AYF Youth Football National Championship team.

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