While much of the focus of the upcoming 2014 political season has been on the gubernatorial contest, another race next year is heating up.  Redding State Representative John Shaban has announced his intention to run for the 4th Congressional District seat next year. 

The 49-year old Republican is a practicing lawyer and looking to unseat two-term Democrat Jim Himes. 

Shaban says his “Connecticut First” message resonates in the District with people eager to see a fresh face with new ideas.  He says new leadership is needed in Washington because doing the same things, with the same people, and expecting different results is unrealistic and does a disservice to residents. 

Shaban says Washington politicians have used Connecticut as a cash machine to fund the dramatic growth of the federal government into local affairs, all while giving back pennies on the tax dollar and that's something that needs to change. 

Former state Senator Dan Debicella, who lost a tight race to Himes in 2010, announced last week that he intends to run again.