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What comes next for U.S. Rep. John Larson after loss to Luke Bronin?

Stamford Advocate · August 13, 2026

After 14 terms in Congress, U.S. Rep. John Larson lost handily in a Democratic primary Tuesday in Connecticut’s 1st District, running more than 20 percentage points behind former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Larson’s campaign is over, however.

Though Larson conceded the primary Tuesday night, he has left open the possibility of running in the general election as a third-party candidate. Because he was endorsed by the Working Families Party, which maintains a ballot line in Connecticut elections, he would be eligible to run under the WFP banner in November if he chooses.

Larson, 78, declined to rule out a third-party run before the primary, and he deflected again Tuesday night, waving off multiple questions on the subject. On Wednesday, a campaign spokesperson had no comment on whether Larson would further pursue reelection and did not say when the candidate might announce a decision.

Still, Larson spoke with an air of finality in remarks to supporters Tuesd…