Good Trouble-Indivisible Norwalk endorses Elliott, Gilchrest, Hayes ahead of primary

NORWALK, Conn. — Good Trouble-Indivisible Norwalk has endorsed three Democratic candidates ahead of Connecticut’s August primary, the group announced this week.

The chapter’s active members voted to endorse Josh Elliott for governor, Jillian Gilchrest for Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District, and Jahana Hayes for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District.

Norwalk sits in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, represented by Jim Himes. That means the governor’s race is the only one of the three endorsements Norwalk voters will actually see on their primary ballot. Gilchrest’s and Hayes’ races are in different congressional districts.

All three candidates face primary opponents on Aug. 11. Elliott, a state representative from Hamden, is challenging Gov. Ned Lamont for the Democratic nomination. Lamont holds wide leads in fundraising, name recognition, and polling, but Elliott’s support has grown slightly in recent months. The two debated for the first time on July 22.

Elliott answered a candidate questionnaire on issues important to Norwalk voters.

Elliott, a Hamden state representative, is running on affordability and utility accountability. He’s pushed to close housing development loopholes, end Eversource and United Illuminating’s exclusive service rights, create a new consumer protection agency with subpoena power over insurers and drug makers, and prioritize natural flood defenses for coastal towns.

Gilchrest is one of four Democrats running for the 1st District seat, including incumbent John Larson and former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.

Hayes, the incumbent in the 5th District, faces two primary challengers, Winter Solomita and Jackson Taddeo-Waite.

Each candidate needed support from at least 60% of Good Trouble-Indivisible Norwalk’s voting members to receive the group’s backing, and each first needed approval from 70% of the group’s Steering Committee before going to a full membership vote.

The group said the process was carried out independently, without coordination with any candidate or campaign, and that members who work as paid staff for a candidate stepped aside from related votes.

“An endorsement is one of the most direct ways our chapter can put its values into action,” the group said in its announcement. “It tells candidates, members, and the wider community where we stand.”