Josh Elliott (politician)

Elliott was born in Guilford, Connecticut and represents Hamden.^[3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Ithaca College and a Juris Doctor from the Quinnipiac University School of Law.^[4]

After graduating from law school, Elliott opened two grocery stores with his mother, Mary Ellen Stearman.^[5] 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.^[6]

Elliott ran unsuccessfully for Secretary of the State of Connecticut in 2022, vying to replace the retiring Denise Merrill.^[7]

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.^[8][2]