Results in Connecticut's 1st congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Generational change and new Democratic leadership able to take on President Trump.
A larger federal role in affordable housing, including reforming and expanding Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
Sensible regulation of artificial intelligence.
Lower costs and more renewable energy.
Engaging young people in politics.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Mayor of Hartford, 2016–2024.
Attorney, former gubernatorial aide and Afghanistan war veteran, per Politics1.
Worked on a policy agenda for The Connecticut Project, a progressive advocacy group, reporting $237,000 in income from it over two years.
Won the Democratic convention endorsement on May 11 and the August 11 primary with about 54%.
Outraised Larson; outside groups spent more than $2.5 million in the primary, mostly supporting Bronin.
Arguments in favor
Voters want 'a change in leadership': 'The goal is to shake things up in Washington D.C., and we're just getting started.'
— Luke Bronin, victory speech reported by CT Mirror
As mayor, 'my team and I worked to save those jobs and demanded that they stay union' when the pandemic threatened to close Hartford's Hilton hotel.
— Luke Bronin, responding to labor criticism, CT Mirror
Arguments against
'Our workers deserve an ally who will fight for them every day, not an antagonist who has tried to end their labor rights' — blaming Bronin for union job losses when the Hartford Hilton was downsized.
— Rep. John Larson, primary opponent, campaign statement reported by CT Mirror
'Luke Bronin may be new, but he is not different' — his campaign is funded by wealthy donors and billionaire-linked networks.
— State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, primary opponent, statement reported by CT Mirror
What we couldn’t verify
No general-election argument against Bronin by Chai or the Republican Party could be found; the criticisms above come from his Democratic primary opponents.
Barring private equity firms from buying single-family and low-income homes.
A Home Ownership Initiative converting distressed urban buildings into condominiums, piloted in Hartford.
Prevention-focused health care, including nutrition counselling and preventing addiction and mental illness.
Funding Social Security first in every budget, no FICA increase, and eliminating the self-employment tax.
Secure borders, parental rights, government spending transparency and support for small businesses.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Physician specialising in internal medicine and addiction services.
Independent Party candidate for Connecticut's 3rd District in 2022.
Says she home-schooled her children for 10 years, won a U.S. Presidential Teacher Award, and helped South Sudan's independence effort in 2011.
Unopposed for the Republican nomination; endorsed by the Connecticut Republican Party.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Chai could be found, so no arguments are listed for her (her own case is in her positions). Sources checked: 'Bronin Amy Chai debate criticism', Bronin campaign and Connecticut Democratic Party statements, and CT Mirror, Connecticut Public, NBC Connecticut and Bristol Press coverage.
Her campaign website and fundraising were not found.
Green Party candidate for Connecticut's 1st District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Sanders's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile was located. The positions list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Sanders by name could be found, and no published case for this candidacy beyond the ballot listing.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Connecticut's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. Party primaries were held August 11, 2026. The congressional map did not change for 2026: the districts adopted by the Connecticut Supreme Court from a special master's plan in February 2022 remain in use, and no 2026 redraw or pending congressional map litigation was found. Connecticut allows cross-endorsement, so a candidate can appear on more than one party's line. The roster here matches the Secretary of the State's official November sample ballots. This is effectively an open seat: 14-term Democratic Rep. John Larson lost the August 11 Democratic primary to former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (about 54% to 33%), with state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest and Ruth Fortune also on the ballot. Larson had the Working Families Party's endorsement, which could have given him a November ballot line; the November sample ballots show no Working Families candidate for this seat, so Larson is not on the ballot. Republican Amy Chai was unopposed. Green Party candidate Mary L. Sanders is also on the ballot. The district covers north-central Connecticut including Hartford. Larson won 63.1% in 2024.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Connecticut ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Connecticut Secretary of the State.