Rosa DeLauro
Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat who has represented Connecticut's 3rd congressional district since 1991 and is ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, seeks re-election in 2026 against Republican Chris Lancia.
2026 Races & Market Forecast
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- Born
- March 2, 1943
- Birthplace
- New Haven, Connecticut
- Education
- The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall
Marymount College (Bachelor of Arts)
London School of Economics
Columbia University (Master of Arts in international politics)
Biography & Campaign Analysis
Background
Rosa DeLauro was born on March 2, 1943, in New Haven, Connecticut, into an Italian-American family. Her mother, Luisa "Louise" DeLauro (née Canestri), was a New Haven alderwoman, and her father, Theodore J. "Ted" DeLauro, was an Italian immigrant.
DeLauro earned her high school diploma from The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall in Milford, and a bachelor of arts degree from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York.
She then attended the London School of Economics and earned a master of arts degree in international politics from Columbia University.
Career
Before entering Congress, Rosa DeLauro worked as chief of staff and campaign manager for Senator Chris Dodd, served as executive director of EMILY's List, and coordinated the tristate area campaign of Michael Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee.
When four-term Representative Bruce Morrison retired from the 3rd district in 1990 to run for governor, she won the open seat by defeating Republican State Senator Thomas Scott, 52% to 48%. She has since been re-elected seventeen times, most recently in 2024 with 58.9% of the vote.
In the House, DeLauro co-chaired the House Democratic Steering Committee from 2003 to 2021 and has been dean of Connecticut's congressional delegation since 2013.
In 2020 she was selected as chair of the House Appropriations Committee for the 117th Congress, becoming the second woman to hold the position.
In the 119th Congress she is ranking member of the Appropriations Committee and of its Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
She is a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has worked on food safety, women's health and the Paycheck Fairness Act.
2026 race
Connecticut's 3rd congressional district lies in the south-central part of the state and includes New Haven, and Rosa DeLauro is the Democratic incumbent seeking another term.
She is again her party's nominee after molecular biologist Andrew Rice was eliminated at the Democratic convention and attorney Damjan DeNoble withdrew. The Republican nominee is Christopher Lancia, a law enforcement professional, whose convention rival Rafael Irizarry was eliminated.
DeLauro faces Lancia in the general election on November 3, 2026.