(EAST HARTFORD—WTIC News) “Are you ready for a fight?” asked Rep.
John Larson (D-CT1) of a few hundred supporters gathered to launch his 2026 congressional campaign at a union hall near Pratt & Whitney headquarters in his hometown.
The unanimous response was, “Yes!”
Larson needs that support as he fights on a couple of fronts: first, against the policies of the Trump administration and second, for his political life as he faces a primary challenge for the first time in his quarter-of-a-century in Congress.
Larson, 77, gave a typically energetic speech as his rivals question his ability to do the job for a fifteenth term.
While saying he welcomes the primary challenge, Larson is holding his large family and supporters tight as he prepares for that fight:
“The thing about the big family and loyal friends,” said Larson, “when you attack one of us, you attack all of us.”
Those attacks are from his younger rivals, who say they respect Larson’s career achievements but question whether he’s the right representative for Connecticut’s First District as Democrats step up their efforts to win back the House.
A Larson challenger, State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), 43, says, “Our families deserve a representative who will meet this moment with urgency and deliver real solutions.” Another challenger, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, 46, says Larson doesn’t even recognize the moment, adding, “We have to be building a different kind of political movement in the Democratic Party, and we need to be out there relentlessly doing it.”
Larson contends the he’s still the man for job, especially as he expects that Democrats in Congress will have to protect Social Security from a Republican privatization attempt. Defending the program is Larson’s longtime passion project.
“I pledge I will never… let them privatize or profit from your Social Security—your earned benefit,” said Larson. “These are no entitlements. These are benefits that you’ve earned and worked for your entire life.”
Larson is getting support from another House veteran, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), who attended Larson’s campaign launch event in support.
Clyburn argues his friend is very much up for the job, saying, “As you can tell from his speeches, (Larson) has style and charisma that I think voters like, and so, he’s going to be fine.”
Campaign officials say Larson’s experience in the House remains a plus. Larson campaign chair Dan Papermaster took a shot at the opposition, saying, “What we don’t need is someone who’s a rookie. What we don’t need is someone frankly who’s looking for a different job down the road.”
Larson says he’s looking forward to returning to Congress to contain what Democrats consider Trump’s staggering executive overreach and unconstitutional orders:
“You sent me here to expose them. You sent me there to stop them. We’ve done it before and, with your help, we’re gonna do it again as well.”