Luke Bronin maintains fundraising lead over John Larson. Gilchrest and Fortune far behind.

Luke Bronin raised more campaign contributions in the fourth quarter of 2025 than incumbent U.S. Representative John Larson, repeating the feat he achieved in the previous quarter. Bronin raised $1,737,707 from the launch of his campaign last summer through December 31st. Larson raised $1,496,254 in 2025.

The 14-term 1st Congressional District Democrat ended the year with $956,669 in cash on hand, more than $500,000 less than Bronin. The former Hartford mayor had $1,480,585 in the bank, according to the Federal Election Commission report posted online.

State Representative Jillian Gilchest, a West Hartford Democrat, was far behind in the money stakes, with a small haul for the year of $103,351 and just $23,123.47 in cash. Hartford lawyer and school board member Ruth Fortune raised $53,053 and had nearly $10,000 more in cash than Gilchrest at the end of the year.

Larson continued to rely on special interest political action committees for more than half of his campaign dough. Challenger Bronin has accepted only contributions from individuals. Navy veteran Bronin recently received a boost with an endorsement from VoteVets, the first time in 12 years the organization has endorsed a primary challenger. The New York Times took note.

Local party organizations will choose delegates next month to the 27-town May nominating convention. If the endorsement is won on the first ballot, it will be tricky for all four candidates to win the 15% of delegate votes necessary to qualify for an August primary without having to engage in the tedious and expensive task of collecting petition signatures.

Published February 3, 2026.