Tuesday's primary - Who's on the ballot in Bristol?

In Bristol, there is only one local primary – two Democrats are battling to become a registrar -- but the state’s trove of registered voters has attracted the attention of nearly every major candidate scrambling along the campaign trail.

Democrats face a number of tough choices in hard-fought races.

In the local showdown, city Democratic Party leader Elliott Nelson got his party’s endorsement to succeed Bob Badal as one of the city’s two registrars.

Mary Rydingsward challenged him because, she said, the office needs someone who wants to bring professionalism rather than patronage to the $47,000-a-year position.

But there are plenty of other races on the ballotl.

In addition to choosing a registrar, Democrats will also pick a gubernatorial candidate.

Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy and businessman Ned Lamont are locked in a tight race for the party’s backing.

For lieutenant governor, state Comptroller Nancy Wyman and Simsbury’s leader, Mary Glassman, are facing off. Wyman is Malloy’s running mate. Lamont picked Glassman.

For secretary of state, Democrats must choose between two state lawmakers: Denise Merrill and Gerry Garcia.

For comptroller, Kevin Lembo, the state’s health care advocate, is battling with Waterbury Mayor Michael Jarjura.

Republicans have a plethora of picks to make as well.

In the 1^st congressional district, Wethersfield engineer and consultant Ann Brickley squares off against Mark Zydanowicz, a West Hartford dairy executive.

For governor, the GOP has to pick from among former Ambassador Tom Foley, Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele and Oz Griebel, the head of the MetroHartford Alliance.

Two Republicans are seeking the lieutenant governor’s post, entrepreneur Lisa Wilson-Foley and Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton.

In the U.S. Senate race, former World Wrestling Federation CEO Linda McMahon got the party’s endorsement in a bitter three-way contest. But two men, former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons and broker Peter Schiff are challenging her.

In the attorney general’s race, Martha Dean, the endorsed candidate, is locked in a tough battle with Ross Garber. Both are lawyers.

For voters in Plymouth and some other neighboring towns that are not in the 1^st congressional district, there is a 5^th District GOP primary that pits Waterbury state Sen. Sam Caligiuri, the endorsed candidate, against Justin Bernier and Mark Greenberg.

The winner will take on U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, a Cheshire Democrat who took office four years ago.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Only registered Republicans and Democrats can vote in their respective primaries. They will each have separate ballots to cast.

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