Sen. Christopher J. Dodd isn’t the only Connecticut Democrat attracting Republican challengers these days. On Thursday morning, Justin Bernier, the former director of the state’s Office of Military Affairs, announced he was challenging Democratic Rep. Christopher S. Murphy for Connecticut’s 5th District House seat in 2010. And in the state’s 2nd District, former Hebron Board of Finance member Matthew M. Daly told local reporters March 21 that he will take on Democrat Rep. Joe Courtney.

Both Bernier and Daly framed their decisions around the economy.

Speaking in Farmington, Conn., Bernier criticized congressional leaders for “reckless spending and reckless behavior.” He singled out the growing debt, the federal banking bail-out and President Barack Obama’s stimulus package as examples.