Gov. Ned Lamont went to an old tobacco shed on Wednesday to sign two new laws helping family farmers.

That’s what he wanted to talk about.

Instead, all the buzz was about his political future – and the fellow Democrat who could challenge him next year.

Hours earlier, Josh Elliott filed paperwork to run for governor. He’s planning an official campaign launch next Monday.

The 40 year-old state representative from Hamden is one of Connecticut's most liberal lawmakers – a stark contrast to the proudly centrist, 71 year-old Lamont.

“Since his election in 2016, Rep. Elliott has been one of the legislature’s strongest advocates for tax equity, and consistently fought for a state government that supports middle- and working-class families who fight hard to stay afloat,” his campaign said in a statement. “Rep. Elliott is ready to continue this work on behalf of the people of Connecticut.”

Lamont has not even announced whether he will run for re-election, but recently said he is “strongly” considering it.

“Hey look, I’m a guy that did a primary some years ago. If you have a really compelling, real reason to do a primary, you do a primary,” he said.

A reporter asked: “You don’t believe he has a real reason?”

The governor replied: “I didn’t say that.”

Lamont made national headlines in 2006, when he ran to the left of Sen. Joe Lieberman over the Iraq war. He won the Democratic primary, but lost to Lieberman (who ran as an independent) in the November election.

Now, Democrats find themselves in a similar position after losing to President Donald Trump.

Lamont’s party is already taking sides.

“Times have changed. We are in the midst of a disaster,” said state Sen. Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), as the governor stood just feet away. “When you’re in the midst of a disaster, you need to have a different management with empathy, understanding.”

Anwar recently published an op-ed encouraging Lamont to step aside. He believes that Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani’s surprise win in New York City proves that people are hungry for a change.

“There’s an opportunity for us to do better,” Anwar said. “And work for, and be the voice for, the voice-less.”

Lamont has publicly clashed with progressives in his own party by refusing to consider tax hikes on the wealthy. Most recently, he frustrated advocates by vetoing a major housing reform package and a bill to pay striking workers unemployment.

But plenty of Democrats argue that Lamont is the best candidate to win in 2026.

“Under Gov. Lamont’s leadership, Connecticut remains in strong fiscal health, earning continued confidence from national credit agencies and setting a standard among our neighboring states,” the Legislature’s Moderate Caucus said in a statement. “While others have resorted to tax hikes and cuts to fund essential services, our latest biennial budget strengthens the Rainy-Day Fund, pays down $1 billion in pension debt, and launches a $250 million childcare initiative that will provide free or low-cost care to thousands of families for years to come.”

Lamont has defended his record on progressive causes. This year, lawmakers approved his ambitious plan for universal child care.

“They want to have universal early childhood and pre-K. We’re already making a down payment on that,” Lamont said on June 27. “Look what we’ve done on the minimum wage. Look what we’ve done on paid family and medical leave.”

Despite the Democratic party infighting, political observers don’t think Lamont is in trouble.

“We’re not New York City,” said Dr. Gayle Alberda, a former Republican strategist who teaches at Fairfield University. “I think we kind of land in that centrist, just left-of-center – especially on our social issues. And that puts us in a very, kind of, more Lamont state.”

Alberda said that Elliott may be testing the waters for a future run – or trying to keep Lamont from running again.

“It would take, you know, something pretty dramatic, like a failing economy or major scandal to really kind of unseat him from a Democratic primary side,” Alberda said.

Elliott has pulled off the unlikely before. In 2016, he challenged Connecticut House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, forcing him to drop a re-election bid.

Lamont remains popular, with a 62% approval rating in an April Morning Consult poll. But 44% of voters think he shouldn’t run again, according to a University of New Hampshire survey from May.

Four Republicans are already exploring a run for governor, including New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and state Sen. Ryan Fazio from Lamont’s hometown of Greenwich.

If the governor chooses not to run, expect a crowded field of Democratic hopefuls – including Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and state comptroller Sean Scanlon.