West Hartford Lawmaker Announces Congressional Run

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The field of hopefuls seeking to oust an entrenched congressman from his office continues to grow, with a West Hartford lawmaker now throwing her hat into the ring.

State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, officially announced Tuesday she is running for the 1st U.S. Congressional District seat in the 2026 elections.

She is seeking the Democratic nomination for the post, which has been held by U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, since 1999.

Gilchrest, 43, joins a crowded field of hopefuls, including Democrats Larson of East Hartford, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Hartford school board member Ruth Fortune, and Southington Councilman Jack Perry.

It's looking like the Democratic race will come down to the party convention in 2026 and, potentially, a primary afterward, depending on the convention tally by district Dems.

Republican Amy Chai, who ran for Congress in 2022 as an independent for the 3rd Congressional District, is listed as a GOP challenger for the 1st Congressional District for 2026.

Gilchrest, first elected to the state legislature in 2018 in the 18th House District, announced her congressional run in a video posted on her Facebook page and on her website.

She won her fourth term in office in 2024, running unopposed for the seat, representing part of West Hartford only.

Donning a University of Connecticut baseball cap while on a workout, Gilchrest said she had "exciting news."

"I'm running for Congress," she said, looking into the camera. "I believe that every day is an opportunity to make things better, and I know that some people are going to call that naive, but I prefer optimistic."

She said such an attitude is needed right now, given the political and economic climate in the country.

Gilchrest said the country needs to continue to combat and then recover from the effects of Republican President Donald Trump's policies.

"Things are pretty intense. People are struggling. Life is way too expensive for folks, and it's going to take a lot of work to continue to protect against Donald Trump's destruction and to rebuild," Gilchrest said.

She said this is an "opportunity to do things differently and better."

"I believe the government should support people and solve problems," said Gilchrest, who has been a social worker in addition to her political career.

Later in the morning, she released an official statement on her campaign, saying now is the time for "a new kind of leadership."

“I’m running for Congress because people shouldn’t have to struggle this hard just to live their lives, because healthcare is a human right, and because it’s time for a new kind of leadership — one where you come first,” Gilchrest said in a release.

“Washington has spent too long telling us to wait our turn, lower our expectations, or accept that this is just the way it is. I don’t accept that — and neither should you. If we want to change how Washington works, we need to change who works for us in Washington.”

Calling the current political climate "an emergency," Gilchrest said she will prioritize a congressional term for working-class individuals, with childcare, healthcare, and education key.

“Everyone deserves a life of dignity and security — where they can see a doctor or get medicine when they’re sick, and make choices based on what they want for their family, not only what they need to survive,” Gilchrest said.

“But with Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans now in full control, we are racing in the wrong direction. This is an emergency. I first ran for office because I wasn’t willing to wait to bring the change Connecticut needed. I feel that same urgency today.”

To watch Gilchrest's full announcement of her Congressional bid, click on this link.

From Oct. 2, 2024: 'Patch Candidate Profile: Jillian Gilchrest For 18th State House'