Gov. Ned Lamont has won the Democratic primary in Connecticut, defeating challenger Josh Elliott. The Associated Press called the race for Lamont shortly after the polls closed, with him earning nearly two-thirds of the vote with 20% of ballots counted.

Primary Challenge

This was the first primary challenge to a Connecticut governor in 48 years. Lamont prevailed in a volatile season marked by the losses of establishment candidates in high-profile Democratic primaries across the U.S.

Elliott appeared before his supporters to concede the race and call for Democrats to unite behind Lamont in November. Lamont praised Elliott for waging a “feisty” campaign.

General Election

Lamont will now face Republican Ryan Fazio in the general election. Fazio is a 36-year-old state senator from Greenwich trying to lead a struggling GOP back into contention.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has tanked, and midterm elections typically bring bad news to the party holding the White House. Republicans held nearly half the seats in Connecticut’s General Assembly when Trump began his first term. They now hold fewer than one-third.

Lamont had the backing of nearly every labor group, including the Connecticut AFL-CIO. The labor movement has done well in Connecticut under Lamont, passing a law in 2019 that ensures its minimum wage will be among the highest in the United States.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.