HARTFORD, Conn. _ Jahana Hayes took a giant step toward making history Tuesday night, emerging victorious over Mary Glassman in a Democratic primary in the 5th Congressional District, paving the way for her to be Connecticut's first black Democrat in Congress.
Glassman conceded to Hayes shortly before 9:30 p.m.
"I congratulated Jahana Hayes on running a good campaign," Glassman told supporters at her New Britain headquarters. "She is a tough competitor and she ran a good race."
With more than 40 percent of the votes counted, Hayes led Glassman by a 60 percent to 40 percent margin.
Hayes, a 46-year-old Waterbury educator and former National Teacher of the Year, is a political newcomer but had strong support from unions and the Working Families Party. She was encouraged to run for the seat by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who represented the 5th District before running for Senate.
Hayes had never sought elective office before. She is vying to become the first black woman from New England to serve in Congress.
In the Republican primary, Manny Santos, a former mayor of Meriden, prevailed over two challengers.
"Tonight, Jahana Hayes is one step closer to making history. I am so grateful to Jahana Hayes and Mary Glassman for stepping up to run in this district and for everything they brought to the discourse of this primary," said Democratic State Party Chair Nick Balletto. "This was hard fought contest between two qualified, progressive candidates and as we head into November the Democratic Party is stronger for it."
Glassman, the former first selectman of Simsbury, has run twice for lieutenant governor, losing in 2006 and 2010.
The 5th District encompasses most of Western Connecticut, from the tony Farmington Valley suburbs to the Litchfield Hills. It includes the cities of Waterbury, Bridgeport, Meriden and Danbury.
As recently as four months ago, the 5th District looked to be a drowsy affair, with Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Esty widely expected to cruise to a fourth term. But in late March, The Washington Post and The Connecticut Post reported that Esty mishandled a sexual harassment complaint involving her Washington chief of staff. Within a week, she announced she would not seek re-election.
Several other high-profile Democrats, including two parents of children killed in the Sandy Hook school shootings, resisted calls to run. Glassman entered the race about an hour after Esty announced she was vacating the seat. Hayes declared her candidacy less than two weeks before the party's nominating convention.
Hayes, 46, and Glassman, 60, share mainstream progressive views on a host of issues, from immigration to gun control. They also vowed to challenge President Donald Trump's agenda.
Hayes won the backing of the Working Families Party and several prominent labor unions. Glassman was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a business-oriented organization that rarely supports Democrats, and the central Connecticut chapter of Our Revolution, a political group formed by former Bernie Sanders supporters.
Hayes, who lives in Wolcott, put her identity as a black woman who escaped poverty at the forefront of her campaign. Her life story _ the daughter of a drug addict who grew up in public housing in Waterbury and went on to become a nationally recognized teacher _ was integral to her appeal.
Glassman highlighted her experience running a small town and working as a staffer at the state Capitol.
Hayes and Glassman are vying for a place on the November ballot, when they will face the winner of the three-way Republican primary.
