“Built on a fiction”: Josh Elliott makes case for Lamont primary challenge at Norwalk rally

NORWALK, Conn. — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Elliott brought his campaign to Washington Street Plaza on Saturday, June 13, drawing about 50 supporters to a rally.

Elliott, a state representative from Hamden, is challenging Gov. Ned Lamont in the 2026 Democratic primary. The Norwalk stop was the fifth on a statewide tour that Elliott said marks the beginning of the more public-facing part of his campaign.

“I could not be prouder to be here,” Elliott told the crowd. “I feel like I am supporting you more than you are supporting me.”

Elliott used much of his remarks to draw a contrast with Lamont, arguing that the governor has blocked progressive legislation from reaching his desk. He said bills addressing tax policy, climate change, criminal justice reform, and utility company accountability have died because of the governor.

“I have a front row seat to the inaction of our legislature,” Elliott said. “And it is not because of our legislature. It is because of one person who has veto power.”

Among the policy priorities Elliott outlined were reforming what he called an “upside-down tax code,” sending more state money to municipalities to reduce the role a child’s zip code plays in their education, holding utility companies accountable for what he called excessive profiteering, and investing in people before and after incarceration.

Elliott also addressed the question of whether a primary challenge to Lamont is winnable. He pointed to the 2010 race between Lamont and Dan Malloy, in which Malloy won by 15 points despite being outspent three to one. He said his campaign is targeting $4 million in fundraising as a barrier-to-entry threshold, and that he has visited 135 of Connecticut’s 169 Democratic town committees over the past 10 months to build convention support.

“This idea that this is an impossible race is built on a fiction,” Elliott said.

Lamont announced he will seek a third term.

Editor’s Note: NancyOnNorwalk received advance notice of this event from the campaign but was unable to send a reporter due to prior commitments. NancyOnNorwalk initially believed the event was organized by Good Trouble Norwalk, but that was incorrect. This recap is based on the video provided to the newsroom. For more on how NancyOnNorwalk makes coverage decisions, read our elections coverage guide.