The National Journal released the rankings last week, but Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, touted the findings Wednesday. A look at 2013 votes by the journal placed Himes as the 130th most liberal of the 432 sitting members of the House of Representatives. That’s 200 Democrats and 232 Republicans.
“Good ideas aren’t liberal or conservative — they are the right choice. I have always been willing to reach across the aisle, and National Journal’s ratings are a testament to my less partisan approach,” Himes said in a statement.
On economic issues, Himes is the most moderate in the Connecticut delegation, rated “more conservative” than 39 percent of the House. He’s also the most conservative in the delegation when it comes to social issues — 28 percent of House members were more liberal than Himes. But Himes, born in Peru, was most liberal in Connecticut’s all-Democratic delegation when it came to foreign affairs.
Although Himes is burnishing his moderate credentials, it’s Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, who was ranked the most moderate in the delegation. National Journal ranked Esty the 140th most liberal in the House. That’s because Esty had a much more conservative ranking than Himes when it came to foreign affairs, even though she was slightly more liberal than Himes on economic and social issues.
Although some Connecticut lawmakers are considered staunch liberals, none of the House members made it to the top 50 liberal member list. (On the Senate side, thought Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tied for 1st place among liberals and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., tied for 5th place.)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, was ranked the 51st most liberal member of the House. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, was 70th and Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, was ranked 112th.