Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin won the Democratic endorsement Monday in the 1st Congressional District primary, defeating 28-year incumbent Rep. John Larson.

Bronin says he received 51% of the vote on the second ballot, while Larson received 49%.

Monday's results mean that Bronin will have the party endorsement on the primary ballot in August.

In a statement, Bronin said Democrats made history and chose a path of new energy and new leadership.

“I respect John Larson deeply, but I hope he listens to the message that was sent tonight by the most active, loyal Democrats in our party – that it’s time to pass the torch. With Donald Trump in the White House, our democracy under attack, and our economy increasingly broken, Democrats know that we need to bring a whole new energy to this fight. I'm deeply grateful for the trust Connecticut Democrats have placed in me tonight, and I won't stop working until we deliver the change Connecticut families deserve," he says.

Meanwhile, Larson said in a statement he is prepared to win in August. He also cited his background as a public school teacher from East Hartford, compared to Bronin, who grew up in Greenwich.

"This is democracy at work. Now it's going to be very clear: it's East Hartford against Greenwich. We're in this fight on behalf of the working people whom I serve. We're taking on Trump every single day, and I'm proud to be on the hit list of Members he wants out of Congress. That's not going to happen," Larson said. "The people in this district know what we've done, they know what we've been able to deliver, and they know that we're in this fight. Project kids don't give up. Project kids lean into a fight like this," he said.

Larson also said going into the next phase of the race, he has a 23-point lead over Bronin.