Global Strategy Group
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Democrat
Jillian Gilchrest
Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Connecticut
Democrat
CT-01 Democratic nominee?
$53.5K
AUG 18, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — CT-01 Democratic nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
$53.5KAUG 18, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age44 years old (Mar 21, 1982)
GenderFemale
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LocationConnecticut
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Connecticut (BA, 2004)
Notable personal detailsJillian Marie Gilchrest is an American politician and social worker who has represented Connecticut House District 18 (West Hartford) since 2019. First elected in 2018, she has served as House Chair of the Human Services Committee and has worked in advocacy and policy roles focused on women’s health and safety. She previously served on the West Hartford Board of Education and has taught at the University of Saint Joseph and the University of Hartford. She is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District (2026).
SourcesShowHide
housedems.ct.govvoteforjillian.comfec.goven.wikipedia.orgctmirror.orgelectionresults.hartfordct.govelectionhistory.ct.govseec.ct.govctpublic.orgballotready.orgcga.ct.govmultistate.usctvoices.orgportal.ct.govlegiscan.comarxiv.orgreddit.comwshu.orgctnewsjunkie.comctinsider.comwp.cga.ct.govctlcv.orgctpost.comctbarfdn.orgusresistnews.orgnbcconnecticut.comfacebook.comcourant.comcbsnews.comwfsb.comenglish.elpais.comfox61.comjpost.comlocal10.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgdisclosures-clerk.house.govjudiciary.senate.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govclerk.house.govgovinfo.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports increased state investment in education, healthcare, and social services and backed a state budget proposal that funds these priorities while including targeted tax relief for low-income working families. Emphasizes funding obligations and public program investment rather than broad tax cuts.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to healthcare through government programs and protections, including extending Medicaid coverage to more people and lowering prescription drug costs. Opposes policies that would reduce quality or access for vulnerable populations and advocates for inclusive healthcare regardless of immigration status.
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Immigration & Border
Supports access to services for immigrants (including healthcare regardless of immigration status) and leads state efforts addressing human trafficking and protections for vulnerable migrants. Emphasizes humanitarian responses and state-level protections while working within enforcement/public-safety frameworks.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports robust abortion and reproductive rights protections, has co-chaired the Connecticut General Assembly’s Reproductive Rights Caucus, and has worked to pass and defend state laws expanding and protecting access to abortion and related care. Her background includes leadership with pro-choice organizations and legislative advocacy to codify and strengthen reproductive freedom in Connecticut.
Climate & Energy
Supports increased investments in clean energy and electric grid infrastructure to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, adoption of strong vehicle emissions standards, and nature-based and environmental justice solutions. Backs an Environmental Rights Amendment to the Connecticut Constitution and has advocated for state climate-related legislation and PFAS bans.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports stronger gun safety measures including safe-storage rules and restrictions on untraceable “ghost guns,” and has organized and participated in legislative and community efforts focused on reducing gun violence. Positions emphasize regulation and public-health approaches to gun violence while continuing engagement with stakeholders.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedSep 2, 2026
Jillian Gilchrest is in the news because she is running for Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District seat this fall. Recent coverage has mostly focused on the Democratic primary there, which expanded to four candidates and was won by Luke Bronin over longtime Rep. John Larson. Other reports mention Gilchrest only in passing, including a Connecticut update on SNAP losses that noted her campaign without adding new details about her race.
housedems.ct.gov+44
Articles
HCHartford Courant3 months ago
Ruth Fortune qualifies for 4-way congressional primary
Neutral
HCHartford Courant1 month ago
Nearly 18,900 CT children have lost SNAP benefits over past year
Neutral
BNBreitbart News Network1 month ago
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Connecticut’s state primary
Neutral
HCHartford Courant28 days ago
Three CT towns had Democratic primary turnout above 41%. Three others didn’t support Lamont. See them all.
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$163.9K
$122.9K
$82.0K
$41.0K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$163.9K
$34.5K
$129.4K
$6.8K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements