Larson, Bronin clash in First District primary race

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - With three days until Tuesday’s primary, Congressman John Larson and challenger Luke Bronin are locked in what is expected to be a close race for Connecticut’s First Congressional District.

Larson, a 28-year incumbent, is facing a primary for the first time. Bronin, a former Hartford mayor, secured the Democratic Party’s endorsement ahead of the contest.

Both candidates have raised millions of dollars, and the race has become a battle over big-money influence. Bronin has argued it is time for new leadership and new faces in the Democratic Party. Larson has said his record should be the deciding factor for voters.

“What is Bronin going in as, what is he going to deliver? Is Bronin on any committee yet, what is Bronin’s agenda, what has he said he’s going to do? I have a record that people can go to and see what we have accomplished,” Larson said.

Bronin said voters in the district are facing a meaningful choice.

“You can’t be for democracy and not be for competition. And voters have a choice in this district for the first time in almost three decades. And what I am hearing out there is the same thing that I feel, which is - respect John Larson but it’s time, we need new energy in the Democratic Party,” Bronin said.