Ruth Fortune getting closer to securing spot on primary ballot in the First Congressional District.

Hartford Board of Education member Ruth Fortune told supporters in a message this week that her campaign is “on track to exceed the 3,734 signature requirement get on the ballot” in the August 11th First Congressional District Democratic primary.

Fortune’s message points out that she likely needs a 100% buffer of the number of signatures needed because “thousands of signatures will likely be disqualified. It’s an inherent aspect of dealing with one of the most restrictive ballot access laws in the country.” She is right. The signature gathering process is a waste of time and resources. Ballot access should be much easier–as it is in most states. Incumbents make our election laws and many feat primaries more than they do general elections.

Fortune was on the Democratic town committee trail during the fall, winter and spring. She impressed many of the party faithful in the 27-town district. Discouraging primaries is a long Connecticut political tradition, keeping promising new talent from winning the recognition a primary campaign can provide.

Daily Ructions readers know that Connecticut’s ballot access obstacles are a frequent theme in this parish. If you are a registered Democrat in the First Congressional District, contact the Fortune campaign and sign Ruth Fortune’s petition–no matter who you support in the August 11th primary. Fairness matters in our democracy and access to the ballot is an early and essential measure of it.

Published May 29, 2026.