Connecticut Democrats endorsed Ned Lamont as their choice for candidate for governor as the state Democratic convention got underway in Hartford Saturday.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim had hoped to force an automatic August primary, but he failed to get 15 percent of the vote. He got just under 13 percent. Ganim is still likely to collect enough petition signatures to force a primary, however -- he says he’s collected 11,000 so far, and he needs just over 15,000.

In his acceptance speech, Lamont promised Bridgeport he wouldn't forget them. He said that Democrats "have a battle on our hands" against the Republicans. He also spoke about balancing the budget, investing in schools and updating the transportation system.

Voters also nominated former Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz as their candidate for lieutenant governor, but she will face a stiff primary fight against Eva Bermudez Zimmerman, a political newcomer from Newtown who stunned the convention by receiving almost 40 percent of the vote.

"To have a nomination of a majority white ticket is not a positive step forward. It's making sure that we have included everyone here in Connecticut,” said Zimmerman.

Also at the convention, Stamford State Representative William Tong made history, becoming the first Asian-American to win a statewide nomination for the state attorney general position.

Tong led this year's fight to ban bump stocks, the accessory used to make a semi-automatic weapon fire like an automatic one. Tong will face a primary battle in August against Chris Mattei, who is famous for prosecuting former Gov. John Rowland.