You may not know who Josh Elliott is, but he wants to be Connecticut’s next governor.

Call him a progressive alternative to Gov. Ned Lamont.

But Elliott said don't call him a socialist.

Why would anyone – especially another Democrat – want to run against one of the nation’s most popular and wealthiest governors?

“Just to make my life miserable for the next year,” Elliott joked. “That’s my platform; just to make myself miserable.”

All kidding aside, Elliott said that voters need an alternative. He accused Lamont of failing working-class families – most recently by vetoing a major affordable housing proposal and a bill paying striking workers unemployment benefits.

“Ned Lamont has done some great things for the state of Connecticut, but he’s also been responsible for six years of stringing working people along,” said North Haven Democratic Town Committee Chair Tim Gabriele.

Unlike the proudly centrist Lamont, a multimillionaire from Greenwich, Elliott is unapologetically progressive.

On Monday, he promised to raise taxes on the wealthy, including a new surcharge on stock earnings (exact amount to be determined), more tax brackets and raising the top rate from 6.99% to as high as 10%.

“We are not here to demonize the wealthy,” said Elliott. “But we will talk candidly about a tax code that currently rewards wealth instead of work.”

Elliott also supports loosening Connecticut’s strict spending limits, known as “fiscal guardrails.” Those caps have led to record surpluses and helped pay down billions in pension debt, but have also made it increasingly difficult to find money for education and social programs.

Elliott is hoping for the same surge that Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani saw in New York City. Campaigning on the high cost of living, Mamdani stunned the political establishment and captured the Democratic nomination for mayor, but will face a re-match with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the November general election.

But Elliott was quick to say he is not a socialist – and would not commit to Mamdani’s proposals like a rent freeze or free bus service.

“I’m a Democrat; it’s that simple,” he said. “Are there things that Democratic Socialists believe in? Sure. Are there things that people who believe in a strong capitalist structure, that I believe in? Sure.”

Not every young voter is convinced.

“I certainly think it’s idealistic, and I certainly think some of the words choice is interesting,” said Nick Fizzano, a Quinnipiac University student. “I personally would not support this campaign – certainly not over the governor’s.”

Lamont isn’t even in the 2026 race yet, although he is “seriously” considering running for a third term.

The governor defended his progressive record.

“He’s welcome in the race. I’ve worked with him pretty hard on raising the minimum wage and Paid Family and Medical Leave and universal early childhood education. We’ve had a good, progressive agenda,” Lamont said on Friday. “I know where I am. I think we’re off to a really good start and we have a way to go. And my way to go is, everything I do to reduce costs.”

If he runs, defeating Lamont will be extremely difficult. He is one of the most popular governors in the country.

“I think we kind of land in that centrist, just left-of-center – especially in our social issues,” said Dr. Gayle Alberda, a political analyst at Fairfield University. “And that puts us in a very, kind of, more Lamont state.”

Lamont has lowered income taxes, raised the minimum wage and approved Paid Family Medical Leave. This year, he also convinced lawmakers to back his Universal Preschool proposal.

But the governor has also resisted more progressive ideas like a child tax credit and higher taxes for the wealthy, arguing that Connecticut will drive away its highest earners.

Elliott said he can strike a better balance.

“Less property tax, less sales tax and more income tax for the top income earners,” he said. “A vanishingly small number of people can do a lot for our state.”

Lamont said on Friday that will make a decision about his political future by late summer or early fall. In modern times, only Republican Gov. John Rowland has won a third term.

If the governor bows out, close to a dozen other Democrats could get in the race – including Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Attorney General William Tong, Comptroller Sean Scanlon and Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons.

As for Elliott, he plans to spend the next nine months raising money and visiting local Democratic Town Committees. Party members will endorse a candidate at their convention next May, but voters may ultimately decide who gets on the ballot.

Four Republicans are also exploring a run for governor, including New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, Westport First Selectman Jennifer Tooker and state Sen. Ryan Fazio, one of Lamont’s neighbors in Greenwich.