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|
Jim Himes | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Ranking Member of theHouse Intelligence Committee | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Turner |
| Chair of theHouse Fair Growth Committee | |
| In office June 17, 2021 – January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Chair of theNew Democrat Coalition | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Kind |
| Succeeded by | Derek Kilmer |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromConnecticut's4th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Chris Shays |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Andrew Himes (1966-07-05)July 5, 1966 (age 59) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) St Edmund Hall, Oxford (MPhil) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Himes's opening statement at aHouse Intelligence Committee hearing involving former national security officials. Recorded February 8, 2023 | |
James Andrew Himes (born July 5, 1966) is an American businessman and politician serving as theU.S. representative forConnecticut's 4th congressional district since 2009. Himes is a member of theDemocratic Party.
Himes's district includes most of the southwest corner of the state and is largely coextensive with theConnecticut side of theNew York metropolitan area. It includes parts ofFairfield County andNew Haven County, including the cities ofBridgeport,Norwalk,Fairfield andStamford.
Himes is the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and a member of theHouse Financial Services Committee.
He previously chaired theUnited States House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth and theNational Security, International Development and Monetary Policy Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee, and has been a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence since 2013. In 2023, Himes became the Ranking Member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He also chaired theNew Democrat Coalition in the115th Congress (2017–2019).[1][2]
Himes was born on July 5, 1966, inLima,Peru,[3] to American parents. His father, James R. Himes, worked for theFord Foundation in Lima.[4] His father was also the director of theUNICEF Innocenti Center, a research institute on child development inFlorence,Italy.[5] His mother, Judith A. Himes, was until recently the director of board activities for the New Jersey Board of Higher Education inTrenton.[6]
Himes spent his early childhood in Lima andBogotá,Colombia.[4] After his parents divorced, Jim, his mother, and his two sisters moved toPennington, New Jersey,[4][7] where he attended and graduated fromHopewell Valley Central High School.[5]
Himes attendedHarvard College, where he was the captain of thelightweight crew and graduated with aBachelor of Arts in 1988.[3] He studied for a degree inLatin American studies as aRhodes scholar atSt Edmund Hall,Oxford[4] and graduated with aMaster of Philosophy in 1990.[3] He was awarded an honoraryDoctor of Humane Letters degree from theUniversity of Bridgeport on May 5, 2012.[8]
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In 1995, Himes began working atGoldman Sachs[9] as a banker inLatin America andNew York. He was eventually promoted to vice president.
Himes was appointed commissioner of theGreenwich Housing Authority in 2002, and served for two years as chairman of the board. He has also served as a board member ofAspira of Connecticut inBridgeport, a board member of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, and as an advisory board member of Family Assets, LLP of Bridgeport.
Himes was also an elected member of the Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation and chaired the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee.[10]
Himes has sponsored 75 bills.[11]
On March 6, 2025, Himes was one of ten Democrats in Congress who joined all of their Republican colleagues in voting to censure Democratic congressmanAl Green for interrupting PresidentDonald Trump'sState of the Union Address.[12]
On September 19, 2025, Himes was one of 95 Democrats in Congress who joined all of their Republican colleagues in voting to honor the life and legacy offar-right[13][14] political activistCharlie Kirk.[15]
For the119th Congress:[16]
Planned Parenthood gives Himes a 100% pro-choice rating.[24] He voted against theStupak-Pitts Amendment in theAffordable Health Care for America Act that was intended to prevent any federal funds from paying for any health care plan withabortion coverage.[25][26]
Himes has said, "we should reduce our presence inAfghanistan as rapidly as possible and reshape our mission to focus exclusively on counterterrorism" while requiring "presence in the region, but one considerably smaller than that required by our present strategy of nation-building."[27] He believes in a world free of nuclear weapons, and readily supports sanctions againstIran. He voted for theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010.[27] He supports a two-state solution forIsrael andPalestine.[27]
Himes believes that early childhood education is "the most intelligent investment a nation can make in its future" and voted to double funding forEarly Head Start Program.[28] He stated in 2008 thatNo Child Left Behind "is well-intentioned because it focuses on education, but it must be reformed."[29] Himes also co-authored an amendment to theStudent Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act that promoted students' financial literacy.[30]
Environment America has given Himes a 100% rating.[31] He believes that "By creating the right set of financial incentives and supporting a broad range of research and development, we can deliver the energy our economy requires to thrive while protecting our planet."[32] He also voted for theAmerican Clean Energy and Security Act.[26]
Himes voted against H.R. 627, which allowed loaded guns into national parks.[26] TheBrady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence gives him a 100% lifetime score for his support of more gun regulations.[33] Himes refuses to participate in moments of silence in the House chamber after mass shootings. He believes this honorary gesture for shooting victims is a negligence by Congress, because they could spend the time passing legislation to work on ending gun violence.[34]
Himes supports theAffordable Care Act. He believes in preservingMedicare andMedicaid and says we must be "prepared to equitably reform these programs to address the challenging problem of rising health care costs and ensure that these important safety net programs are here to help this generation and the next."[35]
Himes voted against H.R. 2397, which was to defund the NSA domestic phone metadata spying program.[36] He said he voted against the bill not because he objects to limiting the NSA's power, but because the bill was created in a reactionary manner and stripped the NSA of too much power.[citation needed]
Himes co-sponsored H.R. 402, The National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2011, which would objectively fund national infrastructure projects. According to Himes, it would also "attract private investment and facilitate private sector partnering with regions, states and localities to borrow from the Bank while adding its own private equity to projects."[37] He has helped bring money to the 4th district, such as "over $70 million for safety improvements, resurfacing, enhancements, and bridge improvements to the Merritt Parkway; over $11 million for infrastructure improvements at the Steel Point project in Bridgeport that will generate thousands of new jobs; and $30 million for upgrades to Metro North's Danbury Branch line."[37]
In 2009–2010, the Society for Animal Protective legislation gave Himes a rating of 100% for his support of animal protection. In 2009, Himes received a 100% rating from the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund for his position on wildlife action.[38]
In 2009–2010, theHuman Rights Campaign gave Himes a rating of 100%.[38]
In 2009–2010, the American Immigration Lawyers Association gave Himes a rating of 100% for his stance on the defense of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.[38]
In 2016, Himes lobbied the Electoral College to refuse to vote forDonald Trump and to instead electHillary Clinton.[39] On December 12, 2016, in an interview onCNN'sNew Day, he said he was troubled by several of Trump's actions. The issue that "pushed me over the edge" was Trump's criticism of theCIA and the intelligence community. Himes admitted that Trump won "fair and square" but said that Trump had proved himself unfit for public office. He cited the intentions behind the creation of the electoral college and argued that it was created for an instance such as Trump's election.[39]
In 2022, Himes was one of 16 Democrats to vote against the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.[40][41]
In 2022, during theHouse intelligence committee's first hearing on UFOs in over 50 years, Himes asked the Pentagon if they could discuss their findings “in the service of sort of reducing speculation and conspiracy theories.”[42]
On June 29, 2023, during an interview with Ask a Pol, Himes reacted skeptically to whistleblowerDavid Grusch's testimony regarding a US Government run UAPSpecial access program. He asserted that "I was assured by all of the various units that there was no material.”[43]
Allegations have been made that Himes was secretly lobbying against theUAP Disclosure Act, allegedly working in concert with Republicanrepresentative Mike Turner to remove provisions like eminent domain and an independent review board.[44] This is despite the bill passing through the Senate with broad bipartisan support.[45]
On July 11, 2024, Himes called forJoe Biden to withdraw from the2024 United States presidential election.[46]
Himes faced the ten-termRepublican incumbentChris Shays in the 2008 congressional election, along withLibertarian nominee M.A. Carrano, a professional philosophy writer and systems consultant, andGreen Party nominee Richard Duffee. Himes defeated Shays, 51% to 47%.[4] While Shays won 14 of the district's 17 towns, Himes won all three of the district's large cities—Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford. Ultimately, he owed his victory to swamping Shays in Bridgeport, winning 80% of the vote there.[47] He was also helped byBarack Obama's massive win in that district; Obama carried the 4th with 60% of the vote, one of his largest margins in a Republican-held district.
Himes took office in the111th United States Congress on January 6, 2009. He is the first Democrat to represent the district sinceDonald J. Irwin left office in 1969, and only the second since 1943. Shays was the sole Republican congressman from New England, and Himes's win made New England's House delegation entirely Democratic for the first time in history.[48]
In the 2010 election, Himes won reelection against Republican challengerState SenatorDan Debicella. Along with the three towns that he won in 2008, Himes also won Redding, Weston, and Westport, and won Fairfield by nine votes.[49]
The campaign raised $3,660,498, $3,603,727 of which was spent.[50] Only 4% of that came from small individual donors, while 60% came from large individual donors. The remaining donations came mostly from Political Action Committees (34%). Himes did not self-finance at all.[50] The majority of his money, 74%, came from in-state. Only 26% came from out of state.[50] Himes disclosed 97.9% of his donations.[50]
Himes was reelected, defeating Steve Obsitnik, 60% to 40%.[51]
In a rematch of the 2010 election, Himes again defeated Dan Debicella with 53.8% of the vote to Debicella's 46.2%.[52]
Himes defeated John Shaban with 59.9% of the vote to Shaban's 40.1%.[53]
Himes defeated Republican nominee Harry Arora, 61.2% to 38.8%.[54]
With 61.2% of the vote, Himes defeated Jonathan Riddle, Brian Merlen, and Yusheng Peng.[55]
Himes defeated Jayme Stevenson, 59.4% to 40.6%.[56]
On October 15, 1994, Himes married Mary Lynley Scott, a designer.[57] They live in theCos Cob section ofGreenwich with their two daughters.[58]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes | 12,260 | 86.95% | |
| Democratic | L. Lee Whitnum | 1,840 | 13.05% | |
| Total votes | 14,100 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes | 149,345 | 48.37% | |||
| Working Families | Jim Himes | 9,130 | 2.96% | |||
| Total | Jim Himes | 158,475 | 51.32% | |||
| Republican | Chris Shays (incumbent) | 146,854 | 47.56% | |||
| Libertarian | Michael Anthony Carrano | 2,049 | 0.66% | |||
| Green | Richard Duffee | 1,388 | 0.45% | |||
| Write-in | 10 | 0.00% | ||||
| Total votes | 308,776 | 100% | ||||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | ||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes | 110,746 | 50.95% | |
| Working Families | Jim Himes | 4,605 | 2.12% | |
| Total | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 115,351 | 53.06% | |
| Republican | Dan Debicella | 102,030 | 46.94% | |
| Write-in | 10 | 0.00% | ||
| Total votes | 217,391 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes | 167,320 | 57.02% | |
| Working Families | Jim Himes | 8,609 | 2.93% | |
| Total | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 175,929 | 59.96% | |
| Republican | Steve Obsitnik | 117,503 | 40.04% | |
| Write-in | 10 | 0.00% | ||
| Total votes | 293,432 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes | 101,401 | 51.01% | |
| Working Families | Jim Himes | 5,472 | 2.75% | |
| Total | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 106,873 | 53.76% | |
| Republican | Dan Debicella | 88,209 | 44.37% | |
| Independent Party | Dan Debicella | 3,713 | 1.87% | |
| Total | Dan Debicella | 91,922 | 46.24% | |
| Write-in | 5 | 0.00% | ||
| Total votes | 198,800 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 187,811 | 59.90% | |
| Republican | John Shaban | 120,653 | 38.48% | |
| Independent Party | John Shaban | 5,071 | 1.62% | |
| Total | John Shaban | 125,724 | 40.10% | |
| Write-in | 5 | 0.00% | ||
| Total votes | 313,540 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 168,726 | 61.21% | |
| Republican | Harry Arora | 103,175 | 37.43% | |
| Independent Party | Harry Arora | 3,746 | 1.36% | |
| Total | Harry Arora | 106,921 | 38.79% | |
| Write-in | 4 | 0.00% | ||
| Total votes | 275,651 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 224,432 | 62.22% | |
| Republican | Jonathan Riddle | 130,627 | 36.21% | |
| Independent Party | Brian Merlen | 5,647 | 1.57% | |
| Write-in | 10 | 0.00% | ||
| Total votes | 360,716 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 140,262 | 59.41% | |
| Republican | Jayme Stevenson | 93,329 | 39.53% | |
| Independent Party | Jayme Stevenson | 2,493 | 1.06% | |
| Total | Jayme Stevenson | 95,822 | 40.59% | |
| Total votes | 236,084 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Himes (incumbent) | 200,791 | 61.06% | |
| Republican | Michael Goldstein | 122,793 | 37.34% | |
| Independent Party | Benjamin Wesley | 5,273 | 1.60% | |
| Total votes | 328,857 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
Media related toJim Himes at Wikimedia Commons| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromConnecticut's 4th congressional district 2009–present | Incumbent |
| New office | Chair of theHouse Fair Growth Committee 2021–2023 | Position abolished |
| Preceded by | Ranking Member of theHouse Intelligence Committee 2023–present | Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chair of theNew Democrat Coalition 2017–2019 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 68th | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
