Joshua "Josh" Elliott (born 1984) is an American businessman and politician serving as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 88th district. Elected in November 2016, he assumed office in 2017, succeeding Former State Rep. and Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, Brendan Sharkey, following his retirement after serving 16 years in the Connecticut General Assembly.
A Democrat, Elliott ran for Governor of Connecticut in 2026, successfully entering a primary with incumbent Governor Ned Lamont, who sought reelection to a third term. Elliott lost the primary to Lamont in August of that year.
Early life and education Elliott was born in Guilford, Connecticut and represents Hamden. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Ithaca College and a Juris Doctor from the Quinnipiac University School of Law.
Career After graduating from law school, Elliott opened two grocery stores with his mother, Mary Ellen Stearman. Elliott was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in November 2016 and assumed office in 2017. During the 2019–2020 legislative session, Elliott was vice chair of the House Commerce Committee. In the 2021–2022 session, he was co-chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee.
Elliott ran unsuccessfully for Secretary of the State of Connecticut in 2022, vying to replace the retiring Denise Merrill.
On July 8, 2025, Elliott filed to run for Governor of Connecticut in 2026, after having "predicted that Gov. Ned Lamont would not go unchallenged for the Democratic nomination if he runs." He formally announced his candidacy on July 14.
In May 2026, Elliott won 25% of the vote for governor at the Connecticut Democratic Convention, forcing a primary despite Lamont receiving the party's endorsement. The vote was described as a "major upset." Elliott lost the primary to Lamont in August later that year.
Electoral history
2026 Connecticut Gubernatorial Democratic Primary +2026 Connecticut Gubernatorial Democratic Primary electionPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticNed Lamont (Incumbent)TBDTBDDemocraticJosh ElliottTBDTBDTotal VotesTBDTBDResults: TBDWinner: TBDTBDTBD
2026 State House General Election +2026 Connecticut House of Representatives, District 88 electionPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticJosh Elliott (Incumbent)TBDTBDRepublicanHudson MolinariTBDTBDTotal VotesTBDTBDResults: TBDWinner: TBDTBDTBD
2024 General Election +2024 Connecticut House of Representatives, District 88 General ElectionPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticJosh Elliott (Incumbent) 6,99890.0Working FamiliesJosh Elliott (Incumbent)77810.0Total Votes7,776100.0Democratic HoldWinner: Josh Elliott (Incumbent)7,776100.0
2024 Democratic Primary +2024 Connecticut House of Representatives, District 88 Democratic PrimaryPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticJosh Elliott (Incumbent)1,42582.2DemocraticDan Garrett30917.8Total Votes1,734100.0Democratic NomineeWinner: Josh Elliott (Incumbent)1,42582.2
2022 +2022 Connecticut House of Representatives, District 88 electionPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticJosh Elliott (Incumbent)5,00363.13RepublicanMicheal Pace2,68533.9Working FamiliesJosh Elliott (Incumbent)2372.99Total Votes7,925100.0Democratic HoldWinner: Josh Elliott (Incumbent)5,24066.1
2020 +2020 Connecticut House of Representatives, District 88 electionPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticJosh Elliott (Incumbent)6,39266.06RepublicanKathy Hoyt2,96630.7Working FamiliesJosh Elliott (Incumbent)3183.29Total Votes9,676100.0Democratic HoldWinner: Josh Elliott (Incumbent)6,71069.3
2018 +2018 Connecticut House of Representatives, District 88 electionPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticJosh Elliott (Incumbent)6,56170.2RepublicanDebra Rigney2,78629.8Total Votes9,347100.0Democratic HoldWinner: Josh Elliott (Incumbent)6,56170.2
2016 General Election +2016 Connecticut House of Representatives, District 88 General ElectionPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticJoshua Elliott6,37562.20RepublicanMarjorie Bonadies3,87437.80Total Votes10,249100.0Democratic HoldWinner: Joshua Elliott6,37562.20
2016 Democratic Primary +2016 Connecticut House of Representatives, District 88 Democratic PrimaryPartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticJoshua Elliott1,05356.46DemocraticJames Pascarella81243.54Total Votes1,865100.0Democratic NomineeWinner: Joshua Elliott1,05356.46
References