Chris Murphy’s 2028 ambitions face an early test in Connecticut
Senator Chris Murphy’s political influence is being tested in the upcoming Connecticut Democratic primary, where he has endorsed Rep. John Larson in a competitive race against former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. Murphy’s backing is seen as significant, potentially influencing the outcome of a close contest influenced by generational shifts and local dynamics. Murphy, serving in Congress for 19 years, is a prominent Connecticut Democrat, and his support has been praised by Larson’s campaign. The primary also features other candidates like Ruth Fortune and Jillian gilchrest,whose presence could split the vote. Although Bronin has secured the Democratic endorsement and is considered a strong contender, the primary remains unpredictable, offering insight into Murphy’s continued influence and the Democratic voters’ preferences in Connecticut.
Sen. Chris Murphy’s (D-CT) political influence will face an early test in Tuesday’s Connecticut Democratic primary as talk of a 2028 presidential bid mounts.
Murphy has thrown his support behind Rep. John Larson (D-CT), whose primary against former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin has become one of the biggest tests of the senator’s standing with Democratic voters back home. His endorsement could prove pivotal in a race expected to be close, with generational politics and local dynamics complicating what might otherwise be a straightforward ideological contest.
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“I think it’s going to be close,” Murphy told the Washington Examiner. “It’s four people in the race. I’ve seen from the inside how indispensable John is to the delegation. He has been a big part of us getting money back to Hartford to reduce gun violence rates. There has always been a leader when it comes to protecting our defense industrial jobs in Connecticut. I see him as being just as effective today as when I first got to Congress, and that’s why I’m backing him.”
Murphy, who has served in the Senate since 2013, has spent 19 years in Congress — first in the House and now in the Senate — becoming one of Connecticut’s best-known Democratic politicians.
“We are thrilled to have Chris Murphy’s support,” Larson’s campaign manager, Greg Gerratana, told the Washington Examiner. “He’s one of the strongest and most respected voices in the Democratic Party and an incredibly well-regarded progressive leader in this state. His support is worth more than all the AI data center billionaires behind Bronin combined. It’s one of the reasons we are going to win.”
The primary comes as Democratic voters have increasingly shown a willingness to replace veteran lawmakers with younger challengers. Larson, 78, has served in the House since 1999. Bronin, 47, has argued Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District needs energy to fight President Donald Trump’s administration.
Larson drew attention last year after he froze on the House floor last February due to a “complex partial seizure.” Larson’s office said the seizure resulted from a pre-existing heart issue. Despite the episode, Larson is running for reelection to what would be his 14th term in office.
“This race is once again a test of whether Democratic primary voters want generational change or are still comfortable with the party’s established leadership,” a Democratic strategist told the Washington Examiner. “Bronin offers a younger and more dynamic profile, but Chris Murphy is exceptionally well-liked in Connecticut, and his endorsement likely gives Larson credibility with a broad swath of Democratic voters. If Larson survives the primary, I think Murphy’s support will be part of the explanation.”
Larson is also betting that his progressive voting record, including a push to impeach Trump, will overcome questions about his age. The 1st District is heavily Democratic, with former Vice President Kamala Harris having carried the seat by 23 percentage points in 2024.
“I think the ideological component here really complicates the typical assumptions that you would make about the primary,” Cook Political Report’s Erin Covey told the Washington Examiner.
Another factor in the Democratic primary is the two other candidates — attorney Ruth Fortune and state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest. While neither is expected to come close to winning, they spoil either Larson or Bronin’s chances of victory in a neck-and-neck contest.
“They’re local elected officials, so I don’t want to discount that they could get a significant percentage of the vote, and I think it’s an open question in terms of who they’re pulling from,” said Covey.
While the race is expected to be tight, Bronin’s strength was shown when he received the Democratic Party’s endorsement ahead of the primary. While the backing is only a formal step ahead of the Aug. 11 primary, the endorsed candidate gets top placement on the ballot.
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“The fact that he was able to pull off the upset in the primary convention was quite notable, and goes to show how vulnerable Larson is,” Covey concluded.
The result will provide an early indication of how much sway Murphy still holds with Democratic primary voters in his home state.
Ramsey Touchberry contributed to this article.
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