by Donald Eng
HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Democrat Josh Elliott focused on public education, mental and behavioral health services, and municipal support in his campaign video announcing his challenge to two-term Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont in 2026.
Elliott, 40, who used locations in Hamden, New Haven, and Norwalk among other places around the state as a backdrop, said state policies have hurt working residents.
“For the past six years, Connecticut has been severely underinvesting in its public education, public services and municipalities, all while the regressive, backward tax structure here in Connecticut places the cost of our unmet needs on the backs of working families,” he said. “For Connecticut’s educators, health care workers and housing advocates, the story’s always the same. Costs go up. The state makes cuts. Workers suffer, and as a result your property taxes increase to make up the difference.”
Despite the struggles Elliott described, prosperity does exist in the state, he said.
“In fact, for one group it’s going great,” he said as he showed a graphic indicating the disparity between income tax as a percentage of income between different levels of income.
“I want to live in a Connecticut that doesn’t cement wealth for the few, but builds prosperity for the many,” he said.
Lamont, who has not yet announced whether he will run for re-election but has strongly hinted he would seek another term, said Monday morning that he and Elliott were in agreement on many topics.
“We’re all about affordability and opportunity, that’s what we’re doing right here,” he said during a media briefing about an energy efficiency program for low income homeowners in New Haven. “We both agree on that.”
Lamont said his administration also had doubled down on municipal aid and done more on education, environmental issues and housing than previous administrations.
“But, I think he says we should be doing more,” Lamont said.
Asked about Elliott’s goal of making Connecticut’s tax structure more progressive, Lamont called tax hikes a last resort, but pointed out the income tax had become more progressive due to some middle class and working class tax reductions.
“We’re doing what we can to make this a progressive state, and not only that, make it more affordable for our young people and our seniors,” he said. “We’re growing the economy, people are moving into the state.”
Elliott is the first Democrat to begin campaigning for governor.
Among Republicans, Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced her bid for governor in May, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart has formed an exploratory committee to investigate a run for governor, and Greenwich state Sen. Ryan Fazio has publicly expressed interest in running.