4 Hopefuls To Square Off In Key Democratic Primary Debate In Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — The League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford and its community partners will host a live, in-person Democratic primary debate for Connecticut's 1st Congressional District on Wednesday, July 29, ahead of the Aug. 11 primary election.

The debate will run from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Travelers Center for Arts and Culture at Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event is free and open to the public, with organizers encouraging eligible voters from across the district to attend.

The four Democratic candidates invited to participate are Luke Bronin (who secured the party endorsement), Ruth Fortune, Jillian Gilchrest and U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District..

According to organizers, the debate will be moderated by nonpartisan League of Women Voters members from outside the 1st Congressional District.

The event is being organized by the League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford in partnership with Hartford Public Access Television (HPATV), West Hartford Community Interactive (WHCI), Hartford Public Library and Hartford Votes.

For those unable to attend in person, the debate will be livestreamed on HPATV.org and broadcast live on HPATV's cable channels, YouTube channel, Facebook page and streaming apps, as well as through West Hartford Community Interactive's cable channels and YouTube channel.

The debate also will be rebroadcast on participating public access stations and made available for on-demand viewing.

Connecticut's 1st Congressional District includes all or part of 27 municipalities, including Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, Bloomfield, Bristol, Manchester, Newington, Rocky Hill, Southington, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks, among others.

The Aug. 11 Democratic primary will determine the party's nominee for Connecticut's 1st Congressional District in the November general election.