Winner Revealed In CT Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

Gov. Ned Lamont won Connecticut's Democratic primary for governor Tuesday, defeating state Rep. Josh Elliott and advancing to the November general election.

With 17 percent of votes counted, Lamont has received 66 percent of the vote compared with 34 percent for Elliott, according to The Associated Press.

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AP called the race for Lamont at 8:19 p.m.

Lamont will face Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio in the Nov. 4 general election. Fazio secured his party's nomination for governor without a primary.

During his victory speech, Lamont thanked his supporters, commended Elliott and highlighted his administration's priorities.

"We have one thing in mind: affordability and opportunity for all people in the state of Connecticut," Lamont said on a livestream posted by WFSB. "We're so much better when we work together."

Elliott conceded the race Tuesday night while urging his supporters to continue pushing Lamont on affordability and other issues raised during his campaign.

"We all know that better is possible," Elliott said on a livestream posted by WFSB. "Let's hold Ned Lamont accountable, but let's make sure we beat Ryan Fazio in November because ultimately we are all Democrats."

Tuesday's primary capped an increasingly contentious campaign between Lamont, a two-term governor seeking another four years in office, and Elliott, a state representative from Hamden who challenged him from the party's progressive wing.

The race marked the first time in nearly five decades that a sitting Connecticut governor faced a primary challenge. Elliott qualified for the ballot after winning delegate support in the party's May convention.

Lamont pointed to his record in office during his campaign, which includes balanced budgets, tax cuts and investments in child care while arguing Connecticut has become more financially stable.

Elliott argued the state has not done enough to address the cost of living and pushed Lamont from the left on taxes, health care, housing and energy.

The candidates clashed particularly sharply over taxes.

Elliott proposed a 4 percent surcharge on income above $1 million, while Lamont resisted broad tax increases on wealthy residents and focused instead on reducing costs including local property taxes.

Elliott also backed a state-run public health insurance option, while Lamont favored a different approach that would involve private insurers.

Affordability became a central issue in the race as Connecticut residents continued to grapple with housing, energy and everyday costs.

A Sacred Heart University/WFSB/CT Insider poll released earlier this month found nearly 30 percent of registered voters identified cost of living and inflation as the single most important issue influencing their vote for governor. The same poll showed Lamont leading Elliott among Democratic primary voters.

Lamont also entered the final stretch with a substantial financial advantage. He spent millions of dollars of his own money on his reelection effort, while Elliott participated in Connecticut's public campaign financing program.

Lamont, 72, will now seek a third consecutive term as governor, something no Connecticut governor has accomplished since Republican John Lodge was elected to a third term in 1952.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy also backed Lamont following the win, calling him "the steady leader Connecticut needs" and saying he was proud to support the governor.

The Connecticut Laborers' District Council, which endorsed Lamont, congratulated him Tuesday and pledged its support in the general election.

The Republican Governors Association turned its attention to November, with RGA Chair Gov. Greg Gianforte saying Fazio is "ready to turn the page" on Lamont's leadership.