NORWALK — In front of a vacant East Avenue storefront Thursday, Democratic congressional contender Jim Himes slammed U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, for his recent declaration that "our economy is fundamentally strong. No one can disagree with that."

Shays made those comments in a Labor Day appearance on "The Brian Lehrer Show" on WNYC radio.

The economy has been a major campaign issue for Himes, who said he was shocked to hear the longtime Republican incumbent's appraisal of the current financial climate.

Himes addressed the remarks during a news conference at 214 East Ave., the former home of a family owned florist that one of his campaign aides said went out of business two months ago after six years at the location.

"He's fundamentally wrong, fundamentally out of touch and fundamentally insensitive," Himes said of Shays. "There's nothing more fundamental than knowing you'll be able to pay for your kids' education, that your job is secure and that you'll have a roof over your head, and more than ever, the people of this district don't have that fundamental security."

Michael Sohn, the campaign manager for Shays, accused Himes in a statement of playing politics.

"This is the same old negative partisan attack from Christopher's opponent. I can understand why he would want to distort Christopher's record of working to grow our economy and help constituents when they need it," Sohn said.

Shays, first elected in 1987, was the lone Republican House member

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in New England to survive the 2006 election. His district, which includes most of Fairfield County and a sliver of New Haven County, is being targeted once again by Democrats looking to seize upon his support of the Iraq war and tie it to the economy.

Himes said a number of trends point to a souring economy, starting with unemployment in the district.

Citing statistics for the Bridgeport-Stamford labor market from the state Department of Labor, Himes said unemployment had doubled from 2.8 percent in January 2001 to 5.6 percent in July 2008.

Median household income in the state, he said, has also gone down from $66,041 in 2001 to $65,967 in 2007.

"This is a district that needs a congressman who's in touch with the economic situation of families in the district and who understands the economy," said Himes, a former Goldman Sachs investment banker turned nonprofit housing executive from Cos Cob.

Shays' campaign manager said the incumbent is hard at work on the economy.

"The bottom line is we need to hold the line on taxes, help make housing, health care and education more affordable, and expand our economic base," Sohn said. "That is exactly what Christopher is working to do on a bipartisan basis."