Hotline's Primary Primer: Connecticut

WHEN: Polls close at 8 p.m.

BIG PICTURE: Progressives’ winning streak in races across the country likely won't come for Gov. Ned Lamont (D) this cycle, though a challenger to his left is putting up a fight. At the same time, another aging House Democrat stares down a younger, more progressive challenger.

HOUSE: John Larson is Vulnerable

Generational divides are coming to a head in Connecticut.

• CT-01. The 78-year-old Rep. John Larson (D) is in a fight for his political life as he faces a handful of primary challengers critical of his age. The most prominent challenger is 47-year-old former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D), who has outspent Larson this election cycle, possesses the endorsement of the state Democratic Party, and has received outside spending from VoteVets on his behalf. State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D), meanwhile, has the support of a couple dozen state legislators and some progressive groups.
  
  • COOK RATING: Solid Democrat

STATE: The Progressive Wave Falls Short

Lamont is seeking a third term in office, but a fellow Democrat is trying to stop that from happening. State Rep. Josh Elliott (D) launched his challenge last summer following New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s (D) primary win. He has slowly but surely climbed in the polls, but his progressive campaign hasn’t been within striking distance of Lamont. On the Republican side, state Sen. Ryan Fazio (R) is the presumptive nominee after former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) dropped out over allegations she misused a city-issued credit card for personal expenses.

• ANALYSIS: Despite a wave of progressives unseating establishment Democrats this cycle, Elliott has struggled to get his message across to voters. He lacks the social media and grassroots following of other successful progressives, although he tapped Fight Agency, the team behind Mamdani’s campaign. Connecticut is a safe blue state, so Democratic voters have the luxury of nominating who they want without fears of a tight general election. Progressive wins in Michigan, may embolden the left wing in the Constitution State, but for now, it seems like Elliott will fall short.
• COOK RATING: Safe Democrat

A HELPING HAND: A Connecticut Yankee

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) endorsed Larson and Lamont. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed Bronin, his only endorsement of a challenger to an incumbent this cycle.

• ANALYSIS: Buttigieg and Bronin have maintained a friendship for decades and share similar backgrounds as former Rhodes Scholars and veterans. This endorsement is likely more of a reflection of their personal friendship than it is a repudiation of Larson.