WEST HARTFORD, CT — A West Hartford state representative said the country is “racing in the wrong direction” and she hoped voters would decide to make a change in its Congressional representation.
State Rep Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, announced she is challenging incumbent Democrat John Larson, D-1st District, for the seat in the United States House of Representatives that he has held since 1999.
Flanked by her children and supporters, Gilchrest made the announcement in West Hartford Center with a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other activists and leaders serving as the backdrop.
In her announcement, Gilchrest took aim at President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.
“What the Trump administration is doing right now is cruel, destructive, and dangerous. They are destroying our democracy, obliterating justice, and erasing our freedoms,” Gilchrest said. “They are slashing Medicaid, public education, food assistance, and childcare, using lies and hate to distract us while they take our tax dollars to benefit themselves. This is an emergency.”
US Rep. John Larson points a rhetorical finger at the White House during the rally for Medicaid on the South Lawn of the state Capitol in Hartford on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Credit: Doug Hardy / CTNewsJunkie
Gilchrest also placed blame on Democrats in Washington.
“We’ve lived through a generation of politics where donors came first and working people came last,” she said. “I’m asking you to believe in a different kind of politics and a different kind of campaign. We can’t bring the change we need by doing the exact same things the exact same way. Instead of chasing dollars from well-connected donors, we’ll be in neighborhoods talking to voters who feel abandoned by Washington. Instead of poll-tested talking points, I’m interested in understanding people’s lived experiences and translating that into effective public policy.”
In response to a reporter’s question, Gilchrest said Larson has contributed to the problems in Washington.
“I respect Congressman Larson. I appreciate the work he has done. But I think we need elected officials who can work on multiple issues at the same time and can be out there pushing for change every single day, and I don’t see that happening currently,” she said.
In a statement, Larson welcomed the challenge from Gilchrest.
“It’s a democracy. We welcome anyone who wants to run,” he said. “I’m focused on fighting Trump and doing the work for the people of this district every day.”
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin during a May 11, 2023 press conference on early voting funding Credit: Hugh McQuaid / CTNewsJunkie
Gilchrest joins former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin, Hartford school board member Ruth Fortune and Southington Councilman Jack Perry in challenging Larson. She was first elected to represent the 18th district in 2018. A social worker and professor, she serves as the House chair of the Human Services Committee, and also sits on the Appropriations, Public Health, and Judiciary committees.