John Larson, a 14-term Democratic Congressman from Connecticut, lost his primary race to former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, NBC News projects. Larson, 78, has been a prominent figure in Connecticut politics for decades, serving over ten years in the state Legislature and nearly three decades in Congress. He highlighted his work on Social Security and was supported by the state's congressional delegation, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and key unions.

Bronin, 47, ran a vigorous campaign emphasizing generational change and argued that President Donald Trump's second term necessitated new energy and direction from Democratic lawmakers. He raised more campaign funds than Larson and secured the endorsement of the state party after winning over party activists at the state convention.

Bronin stated in a late May interview, “In this moment, when Donald Trump is president, the job of a member of Congress isn’t just in the subcommittee rooms, it’s what you are doing outside the walls of the Capitol to build a movement.” He added, “Over these next two years, it’s so important to have Democratic members of Congress using that platform not just to give red-faced speeches to an empty chamber for the C-SPAN cameras, but to ... carry our message, to win people back who lost faith in our party.”

Larson, responding on NBC News’ “Meet the Press Now,” said, “I think the change that we need is to continue to go after Donald Trump” and emphasized his record in doing so. He also noted, “I have the endorsement of more elected officials, every sitting member in the congressional delegation, because they understand what I’ve been able to deliver. They understand that they’re able to work with me, and they understand what I’ve been able to accomplish on their behalf.”

Larson is the tenth House member to lose a primary this year, including seven Democrats and three Republicans.

Sources