Joshua Elliott, 41, is a State Representative from Hamden (District 88) who was first elected in 2016 after defeating then-House Speaker Brendan Sharkey. He currently serves as Deputy Speaker of the Connecticut House. Elliott holds a B.A. in sociology from Ithaca College and a J.D. from Quinnipiac School of Law. He is a progressive Democrat who co-owns and manages two family-run natural food stores. Elliott filed paperwork to run for governor in July 2025, positioning himself as a progressive alternative to Lamont who believes Connecticut needs more aggressive spending and progressive taxation to address affordability.
Josh Elliott was born in Guilford, Connecticut, and grew up in Hamden. He graduated from Hamden high schools and earned a B.A. in sociology from Ithaca College before obtaining his J.D. from Quinnipiac School of Law. Elliott is a small business owner, co-owning and managing two family-run natural food stores in the Hamden area. He is single and was accompanied at his gubernatorial launch event by his longtime girlfriend, Jennifer Lepore. Elliott was first elected to the Connecticut House in 2016 after defeating then-Speaker Brendan Sharkey in a primary upset, unseating the powerful incumbent. Since then, he has been re-elected consistently and has risen to become Deputy Speaker of the House.