by Staff Report
Democrats held all five of Connecticut’s congressional seats Tuesday, and the 1st Congressional District will have a new representative after 28 years: former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.
Bronin, a Democrat, defeated long-term incumbent U.S. Rep. John Larson in the Democratic primary in August. On Tuesday he defeated Republican Amy Chai and Green Party candidate Mary L. Sanders.
“I’ll show up. I’ll listen. I’ll be honest with you,” Bronin said in his victory speech Tuesday evening. “I’ll work my heart out to make your life and our country better, and I cannot wait to work.”
Bronin served as mayor of Hartford for eight years.
Larson opted not to seek a third-party run for his seat, saying the Democratic Party needs to remain united.
In the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Joe Courtney defeated Republican challenger George Patrick Austin, who was cross-endorsed by the Independent Party.
Courtney has served the 2nd District since 2007. Before that, he was a state representative. Tuesday evening, he thanked his supporters.