Acclaimed educator Jahana Hayes is declaring victory in her bid for a U.S. House seat representing northwestern Connecticut.
Votes were still being counted Tuesday night and it was too close for The Associated Press to call a winner.
Hayes, a Democrat, is facing Republican Manny Santos, a former mayor of Meriden.
The two are vying to succeed Democratic U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who chose not to seek re-election after being criticized for her slow handling of a sexual harassment case in her office. It involved her former chief of staff, who was not fired for several months following allegations he punched and threatened a female staffer.
Hayes is a former national teacher of the year who called for strengthening the public education system and passing stronger federal gun safety laws.
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