Hamden State Rep. Josh Elliott was defeated by Gov. Ned Lamont in Connecticut's Democratic primary, with Lamont securing nearly 68% of the vote. Lamont will now face Republican Ryan Fazio in the November general election.
Hamden, CT - State Rep. Josh Elliott has conceded the Democratic primary for governor after losing to incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont, according to results reported by The Associated Press. With 92 percent of precincts reporting, Lamont received 67.7 percent of the vote, while Elliott garnered 32.3 percent. The AP called the race for Lamont at 8:19 p.m. on primary night.
Lamont, who is seeking a third term as Connecticut's governor, will advance to the general election on November 4, where he will face Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio. Fazio secured the Republican nomination without a primary challenge.
In a statement following the results, Elliott described his campaign as a difficult but necessary effort to address issues he believes are not being tackled by current leadership. He pointed to high utility rates and Connecticut's heavy reliance on property taxes as ongoing challenges for residents. Elliott said his campaign was motivated by a desire to push for solutions to these problems and to encourage broader participation in state politics.
Lamont's victory in the primary positions him as the Democratic standard-bearer heading into the fall election. The general election will determine whether Lamont continues in office or if Fazio, a state senator, will take over the state's top executive role. The outcome will have implications for Connecticut's approach to taxes, utility regulation, and other policy areas highlighted during the primary campaign.
According to the Connecticut Secretary of the State, the Democratic primary saw strong turnout in several urban and suburban districts, reflecting ongoing interest in state-level issues such as affordability, taxation, and public services. The next major milestone in the election calendar is the general election on November 4, when voters statewide will choose their next governor.
In Connecticut, gubernatorial primaries are open to registered party members, with the winners advancing to the general election. The governor's office oversees the state's executive branch, including budget management, public safety, and coordination with the legislature. The November election will also include races for other statewide offices and legislative seats.
