A Connecticut candidate for Congress is at the center of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial.

Robert Hyde is one of three Republicans vying for Rep. Jahana Hayes' job. But he may have to testify before Congress over his alleged role in the Ukraine scandal.

In dozens of text messages, Hyde allegedly suggested he was having former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch followed in Ukraine -- even tracking her computer and her phone.

One of Hyde's GOP opponents says he needs to drop out of the race.

"He has no support from Republican leaders or elected officials in the 41 towns in this congressional district," said David Sullivan, who is running against Hyde.

Hyde declined an on-camera interview, but when News 12's John Craven asked him, "Are the texts accurate? Were you having Yovanovitch followed?" He replied, "F--- no. Are you sniffing glue?"

In an interview with Eric Bolling, Hyde later said the texts were a joke.

 

Hyde has donated $56,000 to Republicans, but at one visit to Trump's Miami resort last May, police detained him for a mental health evaluation. He told officers his "computer was being hacked by Secret Service."

A month later in Connecticut, Simsbury police confiscated Hyde's guns and ammunition for a protective order. One week after that, a church asked police to keep Hyde away in a trespassing complaint.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal wants Hyde to face a criminal investigation.

"There needs to be an investigation of the texts and what Robert Hyde did, who asked him to do it, why he was asked to do it," said Blumenthal.

The news site The Intercept is also reporting that Hyde violated a restraining order in Washington, D.C.

The head of the state Republican Party asked Hyde Wednesday to drop out of the race. He says Hyde is now "a distraction" that could help "the Democrats to raise money."