Larson and Bronin make final push as Connecticut congressional primary one week away

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - With the Democratic primary one week away and early voting already underway, Congressman John Larson and former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin are spending every available moment trying to win over voters in Connecticut’s First District.

Bronin made a campaign stop at a community cookout in Bristol hosted by the fire and police departments at Huntington Woods, a residential community of close to 300 people. Dinorah Cordero, the property manager, said residents have pressing concerns.

“A lot of people are concerned with the cost of living. The cost of food. People are living penny to penny,” Cordero said.

Bronin previously supported Larson before deciding to run against him. Now he is trying to unseat the 14-term incumbent, and he cited the direction of the Democratic Party as his reason for entering the race.

“Just because we are opponents doesn’t change the respect I have for him. What changed is Donald Trump got elected again, and then we saw the Democratic Party fail to bring the energy, the strength and the clarity this moment demands to stop the damage from Trump,” Bronin said.

Bronin’s challenge has pushed Larson to campaign more than he has in previous cycles. Larson was in Hartford at the future site of a new pump station — a project aimed at preventing sewage from entering the Connecticut River — that he secured millions in funding for.

“A job for a member of Congress is multifaceted. We have delivered for this district. Everywhere I go, I am hearing that from people. I am confident about Tuesday, and I am looking forward to that event,” Larson said.

Sen. Chris Murphy is publicly backing Larson and has cut an ad in support of the incumbent. Murphy acknowledged Larson faces a competitive race but pushed back on the idea that the congressman has been in office too long.

“I get there’s a conversation in the country that if at some point somebody has gotten too old or around too long for the job, but that’s not John Larson. Larson is fighting as hard and as ferociously as when he got there,” Murphy said.

Bronin has argued it is time for a change. The primary is next Tuesday.