AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Connecticut’s state primary

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two veteran Democratic incumbents in Connecticut face strong challenges in a state primary on Tuesday. The contests take place as elements within the party look to redefine the Democratic brand ahead of the midterm elections by replacing old guard figures with younger and often more progressive alternatives. Ned Lamont is running for a third term but must first clear a challenge from state Rep.

Both candidates have raised just shy of $400,000 in contributions from individual donors. Nonetheless, Lamont, a wealthy former cable entrepreneur, has far outspent Elliott, thanks to $9.5 million in personal funds he’s invested in his campaign. Elliott has received about $3.8 million from the state’s public election funding program.

A primary upset by Elliott, along with additional Tuesday primaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin, could extend a progressive winning streak that began this summer with the defeat of Democratic incumbents in New York City and Colorado and continued with a high-stakes victory in the Michigan U.S. The Democratic nominee will face Republican state Sen. Republicans last controlled the governorship from 1995 to 2011.

Lamont was first elected in 2018 with 49% of the vote and reelected in 2022 with 56%. In the 1st Congressional District, longtime Democratic U.S. John Larson is running for a 15th term.

Challenging him for the nomination are former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Hartford Board of Education member Ruth Fortune and state Rep. This year marks Larson’s first primary challenge since he was first elected in 1998. He won a close primary that year with 46% of the vote but has not appeared on a primary ballot in his subsequent 13 reelection bids.

Gilchrest and Fortune trailed far behind in fundraising. In 2025, an incident on the House floor sparked concerns over his health and age when he suffered what he later described as a complex partial seizure while delivering a speech. He said the episode, which caused him to briefly but abruptly stop speaking, was related to a heart condition that he now treats with m…