Connecticut 1st District
John B. Larson (D) lost the primary. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Luke Bronin
Democrat · former Hartford mayor, Navy veteran, Obama Treasury official
DLiberty Score D65 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Bronin has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Bronin.
Raised $3,865,511 since January 2025: 98% from people, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Amy Chai
Republican · physician, internal medicine and addiction medicine
CLiberty Score C76 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Chai has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Chai.
Raised $21,972 since January 2025: 76% the candidate’s own money, 24% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Amy Chai. Amy Chai: C, 76 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Luke Bronin: D, 65 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Connecticut: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Luke Bronin, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Bronin, so the grade above comes from this list: what Bronin has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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On his campaign site's AI page he said he spent years at the Treasury Department building the Iran sanctions programme.
“I spent years in Obama's Treasury Department building the Iran sanctions program”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Building sanctions on the Islamic Republic is pressure on the regime in Tehran, with liberty on tyranny.
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Asked about Israel on a radio show, he said it is important that Israel exists as a safe homeland for the Jewish people.
“I think it's hugely important that Israel exists as a safe, secure homeland for the Jewish people”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel's existence as a secure homeland treats it as an ally, with liberty on free nations.
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His campaign FAQ says his tax plan rolls back tax cuts for high earners and adds two new top income tax brackets.
“This includes rolling back the Trump administration's tax cuts for high-income earners and adding two new top income tax brackets.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Raising taxes on high earners is the higher-taxes against side of the free markets test.
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His campaign site names tariffs and trade wars as the biggest policy cause of higher costs.
“The biggest example is Trump's tariffs and unnecessary trade wars.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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His campaign site calls for a strong public option so anyone who wants Medicare can join it.
“We need a strong public option so that any American who wants to participate in Medicare can do so.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A public option people may choose does not settle whether health care is run by government for all, so it is shown and not counted.
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His campaign site says he will work to abolish ICE once Democrats win majorities.
“Abolish ICE, which has only existed since 2003.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is against liberty on borders.
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His campaign site lists citizenship for DACA recipients in his immigration plan.
“citizenship for DACA recipients”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for people brought here illegally is against liberty on borders.
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His campaign site lists secure borders among the parts of an immigration system he wants.
“secure borders, fair and timely asylum processing, legal pathways that encourage more legal immigration, and enforcement that respects the due process of law”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Naming secure borders as a goal is with liberty on borders, though he lists it beside the abolition of ICE.
Amy Chai, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Chai, so the grade above comes from this list: what Chai has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Her campaign site says she does not believe in regime change abroad or proxy wars and supports free, democratic nations.
“I do not believe in "regime change" abroad or proxy wars.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No country or war is named, so this does not settle whether she backs Ukraine or Taiwan; it is shown and not counted.
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In her iVoterGuide answers she called Israel an important strategic partner of the United States.
“Israel is an important strategic partner of the United States because our relationship rests on substantial shared interests: democratic government, religious liberty, civil rights, technological innovation, intelligence cooperation, and regional security.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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Asked on NBC Connecticut about housing, she said she would make sure private equity cannot buy single-family or low-income homes.
“make sure private equity can't purchase single equity or low income homes”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Barring a class of buyers from a market is a regulation, against liberty on free markets.
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In her survey answers she said she would eliminate the self-employment tax.
“I would eliminate the self-employment tax.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting a named tax is the lower-taxes with side of the free markets test.
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In her survey answers she said socialism is not the answer and better capitalism is.
“Socialism isn't the answer. Better capitalism is the answer.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting socialism is with liberty on free markets.
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In her survey answers she said she would shift taxation toward the financial industry and away from earned income.
“I would shift taxation towards the financial industry and away from earned income.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Raising taxes on one industry is the higher-taxes against side of the free markets test.
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Her campaign site criticises schools for what it says is confusing children about gender.
“The current leadership seems more interested in making sure children get confused about their gender and exposed to pornography than they are interested in students learning reading and math.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing gender ideology in schools is with liberty on equal rights.
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In her iVoterGuide answers she said terrorism by religious extremists must be stopped while the religious liberty of peaceful Muslims is defended.
“We must stop Islamist terrorism while defending the religious liberty of peaceful Muslims.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Standing against groups that want religious rule is with liberty on conscience.
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Her campaign site says she believes in a strong defense force and would prefer not to deploy it.
“I believe in a strong defense force, and would prefer not to deploy it.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No budget level is named, so it does not settle the defense test; it is shown and not counted.
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In her survey answers she said a representative should never impede border security enforcement.
“I do not believe that a US Representative should impede the enforcement of border security, ever.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing enforcement of the border is with liberty on borders.
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Her campaign site says she believes in secure borders.
“I believe in secure borders.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Mary Sanders (Green).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Connecticut 1st District
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