John Larson

Former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin has officially won the Democratic endorsement for the CT-01 primary.

He defeated 28-year incumbent Rep. John Larson, who has held his seat since 1999.

Bronin said that Connecticut Democrats made history and chose a path of "new energy and new leadership."

"I respect John Larson deeply, but I hope he listens to the message that was sent tonight by the most active, loyal Democrats in that party – that it's time to pass the torch," Bronin said in a statement.

He said that with Donald Trump in the White House, democracy was under attack, and Democrats needed to bring new energy to the fight.

The final decision came down to a difference of 10 votes, and who the delegates thought would stand up to Trump and his administration.

Bronin was first elected in 2016 as Hartford's mayor, serving until 2024. He announced in July 2025 that he would run for Larson's seat, even though Larson was the incumbent.

"When I started this race nine months ago, my focus was getting the 15% to run a primary, and it was unimaginable that we would win a convention by a 28-year incumbent," Bronin said following the endorsement.

In a statement, Larson's campaign said that he holds a commanding lead in polls and in endorsements heading into the primary. He continues saying that it's "East Hartford against Greenwich."

"We’re in this fight on behalf of the working people who I serve. We’re taking on Trump every single day, and I’m proud to be on the hit list of Members he wants out of Congress. That's not going to happen. The people in this district know what we’ve done, they know what we’ve been able to deliver, and they know that we’re in this fight. Project kids don’t give up. Project kids lean into a fight like this.”

Larson has won enough votes for his name to be on the primary ballot.

"We're going to run on our record and also taking on Donald Trump every day," Larson said. "It's not up to the party, it's up to the people in this district to decide, and I'm confident, and I'll be happy with their decision."

State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest also secured 15% of the vote to get her name on the ballot. She said she'll be campaigning for the seat throughout the summer.

"Feeling good, and looking forward now to speak directly to the voters," Gilchrest said Monday night.

Ruth Fortune, a Hartford Board of Education member, did not get enough votes to be on the ballot, but she said she plans to petition her way onto it and has already collected 1,000 signatures.

"What we've seen tonight is what I call the red lighting of ballot access, where certain candidates get one path onto the ballot, and other candidates have to work twice as hard to get half as far. But I've been doing that my whole life, and I'll do that in this campaign," said Fortune.

The primary will take place on August 11. Whoever wins will face off against Republican candidate Amy Chai in November.