In Hartford, state Rep. John Shaban of Weston accepted the Republican Party's nomination to challenge Himes in the fall, according to the Hartford Courant.
Shaban currently serves in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing the 135th District towns of Weston, Easton and part of Redding.
In his acceptance speech Monday night, Himes highlighted the progress made during his time in office.
"Eight years ago, we helped put millions and millions of Americans back to work," Himes said. "And along the way, together, we did some pretty amazing things."
He went on to outline accomplishments from the Affordable Care Act, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to the increased rights for LGBT individuals. Himes called for all Americans to build on those successes.
"We need to preserve and expand the progress we've made these last eight years. It's not enough to pull the country out of the Great Recession. The truth is, too many Americans have been left behind," Hime said.
"We must change that. We have to get back to investing in our people and in the education and infrastructure and research that allows them to succeed and win the competition for tomorrow’s high-quality jobs."
He also had strong words about Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president.
"Let us be clear that the hate and bigotry and mockery and division of Donald Trump must have no place in American public life, much less in the highest office in the land," Hime said. "Let us be clear, and urge our Republican friends to see that nothing justifies supporting a hateful demagogue. Not winnability. Not a habit of supporting the party’s nominee. Nothing."
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