Located in the central part of the state, the district includes the city of New Haven and its surrounding suburbs.

John Kerry, being the exception, still defeated George W. Bush by a comfortable 14 points.

On the state level, moderate Republicans John G. Rowland and M. Jodi Rell have also carried the district.

In his sole run for a House seat, Joe Lieberman, lost the district to a Republican in 1980.

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), Connecticut's 3rd district contains portions of four planning regions and 25 municipalities.