Deputy Mayor Deb Polun and four other West Hartford Town Councilors held a press conference on Monday to declare their support for Luke Bronin’s Congressional campaign.

By Ronni Newton

Flanked by four Democratic members of the West Hartford Town Council at a press conference on Monday afternoon, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who last month received the nod at the convention to be the endorsed candidate for the 1st Congressional District, announced that he is extremely thankful for the support of key elected officials.

Noting that 57 days remain until the August primary, where he will face two other candidates who earned enough delegates at the May convention to be on the ballot – incumbent U.S. Rep. John Larson and 18th District state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest of West Hartford – as well as petitioning candidate Ruth Fortune, Bronin said, “I am so proud and grateful to be here today with four of the members of the Town Council here in West Hartford.” In addition to the four who attended the press conference – Deputy Mayor Deb Polun, Tiffani McGinnis, Barry Walters, and Ben Wenograd, Bronin said he had also received the support of three Board of Education members – Chair Shannon Marimón, Jason Gagnon, and Jonathan Weiner.

Bronin, who has lately been a highly visible presence in West Hartford, said he admires how the town “has embraced responsible, inclusive growth, has helped make sure that this is a community that creates housing opportunity, that commits to education, that focuses on the quality of life for all its residents,” and credited town leaders for modeling a strong community “that helps increase the vibrancy of the whole region.” In almost any other part of the country, he added, the Hartford region would be all one city, and he pledged to get the resources the communities need, including investments in education and housing.

West Hartford Deputy Mayor Deb Polun speaks at a press conference on June 15, 2026, in support of Luke Bronin (left) in the 1st Congressional District. Also pictured (from left) are Tiffani McGinnis, Barry Walters, and Ben Wenograd. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Polun, who served five years on the Board of Education before being elected to the Town Council, is the mom of two 20-something kids, is married to a high school principal, and has spent her career working on public policy. She said her parents, who are in their 80s, still live in town.

“So in all these roles, personally and professionally, it’s really important to me that we have somebody who. cares about our community, our schools, our older generations, and our future – it’s really important to me that we have the right person representing us in Congress,” Polun said. “Luke is the right person, and it is the right time.”

Polun said the need for Congress to stand up for the public continues to grow, and Bronin is the right person. “I have seen Luke in action. He is fiercely committed to getting to know the people of the 1st Congressional District,” she said. He listens, and brings his perspective as a dad, former intelligence officer, and someone who has been a mayor and worked in federal and state government roles.

Wenograd, who has been on the Town Council for 11 years, said it’s critically important for the region to succeed. After Bronin was elected Hartford’s mayor, he came to speak to people in West Hartford and other suburbs to build relationships, “to talk about the importance of working together. It was not something commonly done.”

Wenograd said Bronin did a fantastic job as Hartford’s mayor, and is ready to do what needs to be done at the federal level. “What you get from him is a passion for policy, a compassion for individuals, and just a fierce intelligence. He knows the issues,” said Wenograd.

West Hartford Town Council member Ben Wenograd speaks at a press conference on June 15, 2026, in support of Luke Bronin (left) in the 1st Congressional District. Also pictured (from left) are Tiffani McGinnis, Barry Walters, and Deb Polun. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Bronin, who according to his website has been endorsed by elected Democrats and town committees in multiple 1st District towns, as well as by several unions and other organizations, thanked the West Hartford leaders for their support, adding, “We respect John Larson, appreciate the work that he’s done, but this is a moment when we have to bring some new energy to the fight.” Larson, now in his 14th term, is 77. Bronin is 46.

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor was not among the Democrats on the Town Council at the press conference endorsing Bronin on Monday. When asked if he was still working to gain her endorsement, Bronin said, “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Shari, and also really strong partnership when I was mayor [of Hartford].” He said he was “incredibly proud and grateful” to have the support of “this large and strong group of West Hartford leaders,” who include four of the six Town Council Democrats and three of the five Board of Education Democrats.

“I have great relationships with several candidates,” Cantor told We-Ha.com later Monday. She said she does not plan to endorse anyone at this time.

The Larson campaign announced Monday that the incumbent had just received several major endorsements, including the Sierra Club and Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter, and CSEA-SEIU Local 2001. A spokesperson for Larson said he has been endorsed by 26 labor unions and the Working Families Party.

Gilchrest’s website notes that she has been endorsed by various groups, including Indivisible CT, Citizens’ Impeachment, NASW, and a coalition of women legislators.

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