Democrat Jillian Gilchrest, who currently represents West Hartford in the 18th State House District, has announced plans to run for Congress, and will challenge U.S. Rep. John Larson in the 1st District.

By Ronni Newton

State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest announced her candidacy in West Hartford Center Tuesday morning – standing near the iconic Noah Webster statue and using a mural depicting trailblazing women and Martin Luther King Jr. as the backdrop, on the 105th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote – and she said it’s time for a new kind of leadership in Washington.

“Today I am proud to announce that I am running for Congress to represent the people of Connecticut’s 1st District,” said Gilchrest, 43, who was flanked by her teenage children, Edith and Donnie, and about 20 supporters. “Everyone deserves a life of dignity and security, where they can see a doctor or get medicine when they’re sick and make choices based on what they want for their family, not only what they need to survive. But with Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans now in full control, we are racing in the wrong direction,” she said, adding that the administration’s recent actions are “cruel, destructive, and dangerous.”

State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), flanked by her children, Donnie (left) and Edith, and other supporters, announced Aug. 26, 2025 that she is running for Congress. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Trump administration, Gilchrest said, is “destroying our democracy, obliterating justice, and erasing our freedoms. They are slashing Medicaid, public education, food assistance, and child care, using lies and hate to distract us while they take our tax dollars to benefit themselves. This is an emergency.”

Gilchrest said she respects the work that U.S. Rep. John Larson, 77, who has held the 1st District seat since 1999, has done. But she’s not willing to wait. Larson, who is expected to announce plans to run for his 14th term, is known for his advocacy to protect Social Security, but Gilchrest said what’s needed are elected officials who “can work on multiple issues at the same time and can be out there pushing for change every single day.”

Those currently serving have been there for a while and things are getting worse. “We need to elect leaders who are out in the community understanding what the people of Connecticut want and then fighting for that.”

She’s not afraid of being labeled a “progressive” either, she said in response to a reporter’s question, and doesn’t consider it a “bad” word. “If progressive means supporting living wages, reproductive rights, if progressive means bringing us in a direction where people aren’t struggling every single day and have access to healthcare, I’m very proud to be a progressive and I think that’s what we need now in this country more than ever.”

In a 2018 Democratic primary, Gilchrest took on Andy Fleischmann, the 12-term incumbent who had previously held the 18th District seat. She defeated him by about 150 votes, and went on to win the seat that November over Republican challenger Mary Fay, earning about 70% of the vote.

She said she’s prepared to knock on doors, to host events, and to work hard.

Gilchrest confirmed that while she will serve in the legislature through the 2026 session, but will not be seeking re-election for the State House as she pursues the Congressional seat.

She is currently co-chair of the legislature’s Human Services Committee, and chairs the Medical Assistance Program Oversight Council, the Trafficking in Persons Council, the Endometriosis Working Group, and the Reproductive Rights Caucus. Prior to joining the legislature, Gilchrest, who has a masters degree in social work with a focus in policy practice, worked in the nonprofit sector on reproductive rights, economic security, and sexual and domestic violence prevention.

State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford) announced Aug. 26, 2025 that she is running for Congress. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

In her official announcement, Gilchrest “emphasized that her campaign will model the change she wants to see in Washington. Instead of relying on corporate donations, she will focus on grassroots support, a volunteer-driven field program, and conversations with voters in every corner of the district.”

She said in Congress she plans to “prioritize wins for working people,” through tax reform, lowering child care costs, investing in public schools, and opening government healthcare programs to all Americans.

“I’m running for Congress because people shouldn’t have to struggle this hard just to live their lives, because healthcare is a human right, and because it’s time for a new kind of leadership – one where you come first,” Gilchrest said in a statement. “Washington has spent too long telling us to wait our turn, lower our expectations, or accept that this is just the way it is. I don’t accept that – and neither should you. If we want to change how Washington works, we need to change who works for us in Washington.”

In addition to Larson, who is expected to soon announce his candidacy, Gilchrest will face Luke Bronin, the former Hartford mayor. Other announced Democratic candidates are Hartford Board of Education member Ruth Fortune and Southington Town Council member Jack Perry.

Gilchrest’s daughter introduced her mom at Tuesday’s announcement. “My mom has been determined since she first ran for office in 2018,” Edith Gilchrest said. “Her dedication and compassion toward others inspires me every day.”

Edith Gilchrest introduced her mom, State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), who announced on Aug. 26, 2025 that she is running for Congress. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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