Hamden State Rep. Elliott Says Primary Challenge To Lamont Was ‘Worth Fighting’

HAMDEN, CT — After losing his primary challenge to two-term incumbent Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, Hamden State Rep. Josh Elliott said it was a "hard fight" that was worth fighting.

With 92 percent of votes counted, Lamont has received 67.7 percent of the vote compared to 32.3 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.

"This was a hard fight, but this journey has made clear that the hard fights are always worth fighting," Elliott said in a statement. "We see the residents of this great state struggling and we act as if there's nothing that we can do. When we have the second highest utility rates in the country, and are the second highest most reliant state on the property tax, we have to act. These things don't fix themselves.

"I started this campaign to change the problems that our leaders aren't addressing. That's why thousands of people joined our movement, because they know that we can do something better. The power of the status quo is strong, but we can and we must collectively fight through this.

"This campaign was not and is not just about me. Hard fights are hard, but they're not impossible. What I want the people of Connecticut to understand is we have to be fighting for more. We're one of the wealthiest states in our country and people are suffering. We can do better.

"Let's hold Governor Lamont accountable, but let's also make sure that we beat Ryan Fazio this November, because ultimately we all share a vision for a better future. This was an incredible amount of work and it was born of love and joy and anger at this inability to move forward. We all know that a better Connecticut is possible. Thank you. Onwards and upwards."

See also: Lamont Wins CT Democratic Gubernatorial Primary