HARTFORD, CT — For the first time in nearly three decades, voters in Connecticut's 1st Congressional District will elect someone other than longtime U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-East Hartford, to represent them in Washington.
Four candidates are competing in the Nov. 3 general election for the congressional seat representing Hartford and surrounding communities across central Connecticut.
The candidates are Democrat Luke Bronin, Republican Amy Chai, Green Party candidate Mary L. Sanders and independent write-in candidate Mark Stewart Greenstein.
The contest follows a major change in the district's political landscape after Bronin, a former Hartford mayor, defeated Larson, D-East Hartford, in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary.
Larson has represented the district since 1999. Democrats have held the seat continuously since 1957.
Early voting in Connecticut begins Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1.
Bronin, a Hartford resident, served as the city's mayor from 2016 through 2024.
During his administration, Hartford addressed significant financial challenges, pursued housing development and established the Hartford Youth Service Corps.
Before becoming mayor, Bronin served as general counsel to former Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
A Navy veteran and Rhodes Scholar, Bronin served as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan. He also held positions in President Barack Obama's administration, including at the U.S. Treasury Department, and participated in the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
His campaign emphasizes economic affordability, government accountability, and a change in direction for the Democratic Party.
Chai, a physician specializing in primary care and addiction medicine, advanced to the general election without opposition in the Republican primary.
Her campaign emphasizes political unity, cooperation across ideological differences, and addressing the divisions she believes are affecting the country.
Chai earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Johns Hopkins University and a medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. She completed internal medicine training at the University of Michigan and additional training in general medicine and epidemiology at the University of Virginia.
In her campaign biography, Chai describes growing up in poverty and experiencing housing and food insecurity.
She is also an author, former speech and debate coach, and mother of two adult children.
Sanders, a New Britain native, is seeking the congressional seat as the Green Party candidate.
Her professional background includes serving as executive director of the Spanish Speaking Center of New Britain and associate director of counseling, education and training at the New Britain YWCA, according to her online candidate biography.
Sanders has worked in adult education, workforce development, mentoring and counseling programs, including services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Her community involvement has included organizations focused on civil rights, labor issues, environmental advocacy and peace initiatives.
Sanders previously ran for the 1st Congressional District seat in 2024.
Mark Stewart Greenstein, Independent Write-In Candidate
Greenstein, a Hartford native, is an educator and business owner seeking election as an independent write-in candidate.
He earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1986.
Greenstein previously ran for governor of Connecticut in 2018 as an Amigo Constitution Party candidate.
He also sought congressional office in 2026, including an unsuccessful write-in campaign in California's 44th Congressional District Democratic primary.
Greenstein attempted to compete in Connecticut's Aug. 11 Democratic congressional primary but did not appear on the ballot.
Unlike candidates whose names appear on the general election ballot, Greenstein is seeking votes through the write-in process.
Connecticut's 1st Congressional District includes 27 municipalities across Hartford, Litchfield and Middlesex counties.
The district includes Barkhamsted, Berlin, Bloomfield, Bristol, Colebrook, Cromwell, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, part of Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hartland, Manchester, part of Middletown, New Hartford, Newington, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Windsor, Southington, part of Torrington, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Winchester, Windsor and Windsor Locks.
The district has been represented by Democrats for nearly 70 years.
Larson first won election to Congress in 1998 and took office in January 1999.
His defeat in the Democratic primary ended his bid for another term, creating an open-seat general election contest.
The winner of the Nov. 3 election will serve a two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning in January 2027.
Connecticut voters can cast ballots early from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1. Early voting hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Oct. 27 and 29, when voting locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voters can find their polling locations and election information at MyVote.CT.gov.
Ballot clarification: Three candidates — Bronin, Chai and Sanders — are listed on the general election ballot. Greenstein is identified as a write-in candidate, meaning his name will not appear as a printed ballot choice.
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