Voters in Connecticut and Vermont went to the polls on Tuesday to decide primary races that showcased Democrats’ struggle between moderates and the progressive left wing and demands for generational change in Congress. In Connecticut’s Democratic U.S. House primary, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin soundly defeated long-time incumbent U.S. Rep. John Larson in a race that was framed around the need for younger representation in Congress.

Connecticut Primary Results

Larson, 78, was seeking a 15th term in the state’s 1st Congressional District. The Associated Press called the race Tuesday night with Bronin ahead 53.5% to 34.7%, with an estimated 51% of votes counted. Bronin, who pulled off an upset by winning the Democratic Party’s nomination in May, is among a crop of younger challengers taking on long-time incumbents this election cycle in a push for generational change.

Meanwhile, incumbent Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont easily defeated a primary challenge from liberal challenger Josh Elliott, according to preliminary results. Lamont, 72, was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. He will face Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio, 36, from Greenwich in the general election.

Vermont Primary Results

In Vermont, Republican Gerald Malloy will face Democratic U.S. Rep. Becca Balint in the general election after beating Mark Coester in Tuesday’s GOP primary for the state’s only congressional district, which has been held by Democrats for more than two decades. Malloy, a Weathersfield defense contractor, was ahead of Coester by nearly 4,000 votes or roughly 50%, according to unofficial results from the Vermont Secretary of State Tuesday night.

Balint, who faced no challengers from her party, easily won the Democratic primary for U.S. House on Tuesday, according to the AP’s tally. She has been a vocal critic of President Trump’s policies. In Vermont’s gubernatorial primary, progressive Amanda Janoo defeated Aly Richards to win the Democratic Party’s nomination to take on Republican Gov. Phil Scott in the November elections.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.