National Republicans eye Conn. Gold Coast seat

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — National Republicans are stepping up their efforts to recapture a Congressional seat representing Connecticut's Gold Coast.

The party held the seat for decades until Democratic Rep. Jim Himes won it four years ago.

Himes is running against Republican Steve Obsitnik, who was recently named a "young gun" by the National Republican Congressional Committee identifying him as a strong contender and making the race a priority.

Obsitnik received $4,000 from House Speaker John Boehner and another $10,000 from Boehner's political action committee.

Democrats say Republicans are trying to support a flailing campaign.

The 4th Congressional District covers wealthy Fairfield County towns and Bridgeport, the state's largest city.

There have been no independent polls on the race.

Himes has a large fundraising advantage.