Bronin defeats U.S. Rep. John Larson at convention
Hartford Courant • • nation
Key Points:
- Former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin upset longtime U.S. Rep. John B. Larson at the Democratic Congressional convention, winning 51.2% to 48.8%, setting the stage for a competitive primary in August.
- Bronin, 46, campaigned on bringing more energy and fighting against the Trump administration, leveraging strong delegate support from Hartford and multiple towns to secure victory.
- State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest also qualified for the three-way primary by securing the minimum 15% delegate support after vote switches, while another candidate, Ruth Fortune, plans to petition onto the ballot.
- Larson, a 28-year incumbent, framed the upcoming primary as a battle between working-class roots ("Mayberry") and affluent Greenwich upbringing, vowing a spirited campaign despite the convention loss.
- The convention result was seen as a significant political shift, with Bronin calling it a "sea change" and a message from active Democrats seeking change rather than endorsing the incumbent.