Long-serving Representative John Larson (D-Conn.), 78, lost his bid for a 15th consecutive term in office Tuesday in Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District to former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin.
With 99% of votes counted, Bronin secured victory with 54.2% of the vote compared to Larson’s 33%. The former mayor was backed by the progressive Working Families Party during his campaign against the incumbent.
Larson had previously sought to attract far-left support by drawing comparisons between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Nazi paramilitary groups, including the SS and Gestapo. Concerns about his health intensified after he suffered a complex partial seizure during a speech on the House floor last year.
In related developments, socialist candidate Francesca Hong narrowly lost her bid for Wisconsin governor to an establishment candidate after being supported by Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar (Minn.) and Ro Khanna (Calif.).
Larson concluded his campaign with a concession speech urging Democrats to “come together, heal, and move forward.” Bronin will face Republican nominee Amy Chai in the general election, though he is expected to retain his seat in Connecticut’s left-leaning district.
