Shea to enter GOP 5th CD race with Thursday launch.

Navy Seal and firefighter Chris Shea will seek the Republican nomination for Congress in the 5th District. The Cheshire resident’s campaign launches Thursday in Watertown, one of the state’s most Republican and QAnon-friendly towns.

Shea will face two other Republicans, Jonathan De Barros and Michele Botelho, in the dash for the party’s May nominating convention. The district has not elected a Republican since 2004.

The May convention may be followed by an August primary. The Republican nominee will face incumbent Democrat Jahana Hayes. She has held the seat since 2018.

With four Republicans running for governor and three for Congress in the 5th CD, spots on local Republican town committee agendas may be hard to wangle.

Published January 20, 2026.