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District profile: For many years, this was a politically marginal district. But as its politics trended Democratic, they grew more volatile, with substantial votes for Ross Perot and Ralph Nader.
2004 results: Republican Rob Simmons defeated Democrat Jim Sullivan 54 percent to 46 percent.
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ROB SIMMONS (R)
Elected in 2000; seeking a third term
• Campaign Web site
• Official Web site
- Born: Feb. 11, 1943; New York, N.Y.
- Family: Married (Heidi Paffard); two children
- Education: Harvard University, M.A., 1979; Haverford College, B.A., 1965
- Professional: Lecturer/teaching assistant, 1985-95; staff director, Select Committee on Intelligence, 1981-85; Senate staff, 1979-81; CIA officer, 1969-79
- Military: Army Reserves, 1969-2000; Army, 1965-69 (Vietnam)
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JOE COURTNEY (D)
Courtney, a former state representative, ran unopposed in the primary
• Campaign Web site
• DCCC profile
- Born: April 6, 1953; Hartford, Conn.
- Family: Married (Audrey); two children
- Education: University of Connecticut, J.D., 1978; Tufts University, B.A., 1975
- Professional: Attorney, Courtney, Boyan & Foran; Vernon town attorney
- Military: None