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The 2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Connecticut. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ned Lamont is eligible for re-election to a third term in office. As of January 2025, Lamont has publicly expressed interest in running but has not declared a re-election bid.
Democratic convention
[edit]Background
[edit]Incumbent Ned Lamont is one of the most popular governors in the United States, with a 62% approval rating as of April 2025, according to Morning Consult. However, 44% of Connecticut voters believe he should not run for a third term, according to a University of New Hampshire poll from May 2025.[1] Despite this, Lamont expressed interest in running for re-election in 2026 during a press conference on June 5, 2025, influenced by the actions of the current administration of President Donald Trump.[2] However, Lamont is susceptible to a challenger from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party after he vetoed two pieces of legislation passed by the General Assembly: H.B. 5002 and S.B. 8, concerning YIMBY housing reforms and jobless benefits for striking workers, respectively.[3] Additionally, Zohran Mamdani's victory in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary may influence Connecticut progressives to challenge Lamont, who endorsed Mamdani's opponent, Andrew Cuomo.[4] State Representative Josh Elliott, who would go on to launch a gubernatorial bid,[5] initially told CT Insider that Lamont "will not run uncontested."[6]
Governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Josh Elliott, state representative from the 88th district (2017–present) and candidate for secretary of the state in 2022[7]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Ned Lamont, incumbent governor (2019–present)[2]
Potential
[edit]The following people have been speculated as potential candidates in the event that Lamont does not run for re-election.
- Susan Bysiewicz, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut (2019–present)[8]
- Sean Scanlon, Comptroller of Connecticut (2023–present)[8]
- William Tong, Attorney General of Connecticut (2019–present)[8][9]
Declined
[edit]- Luke Bronin, former mayor of Hartford (2016–2024) (running for U.S. House)[10]
Endorsements
[edit]- State legislators
- Saud Anwar, state senator from the 3rd district (2019–present)[11]
Lieutenant governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Potential
[edit]- Susan Bysiewicz, incumbent lieutenant governor (2019–present)
Republican convention
[edit]Governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Jennifer Tooker, first selectwoman of Westport[12]
- Ryan Fazio, state senator from the 36th district (2021–present)[13]
Filed paperwork
[edit]- Timothy Wilcox[14]
Formed exploratory committee
[edit]- Erin Stewart, mayor of New Britain (2013–present) and candidate for governor in 2018 (decision expected in fall 2025)[15]
Declined
[edit]- Matthew Corey, bar owner and perennial candidate (running for lieutenant governor)[8]
- Rob Sampson, state senator from the 16th district (2019–present) (endorsed Fazio)[16]
Endorsements
[edit]- State legislators
- Rob Sampson, state senator from the 16th district (2019–present)[16]
- Joseph Polletta, state representative from the 68th district (2017–present)[17]
Polling
[edit]Lieutenant governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Matthew Corey, bar owner and perennial candidate[8]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[19] | Solid D | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[20] | Solid D | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[21] | Safe D | May 1, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[22] | Likely D | June 30, 2025 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
Partisan clients
- ^ This poll was sponsored by Stewart's campaign
References
[edit]- ^ Craven, John (June 5, 2025). "Gov. Lamont 'seriously' considering running for a rare third term". News 12 Connecticut.
- ^ a b Eng, Donald (June 5, 2025). "'A Good Place For Me To Be'". CT News Junkie. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- ^ Pazniokas, Mark (June 23, 2025). "Lamont vetoes H.B. 5002 housing bill, sets local 'buy-in' as priority". CT Mirror.
- ^ Pazniokas, Mark (June 26, 2025). "Zohran Mamdani's upset in NYC mayoral primary resonates in CT". CT Mirror. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ Elliot, Josh (July 14, 2025). "Today, we launch more than a campaign—we start a conversation. About the issues that matter, the bold solutions we need, and how we build a stronger, more inclusive Democratic Party. It's time to lead with courage and deliver real change. Let's do this-together". X. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ Putterman, Alex (June 26, 2025). "Could CT Gov. Ned Lamont face a primary challenge?: 'He will not run uncontested'".
- ^ Putterman, Alex (July 14, 2025). "State Rep. Josh Elliott announces campaign for governor, promising to tax CT's wealthy". CT Insider. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Keating, Christopher (June 5, 2025). "Will CT Gov. Lamont run again? Here's what he said". Hartford Courant. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Rennie, Kevin (July 13, 2025). "Luke Bronin is considering challenging incumbent John Larson for party nomination in 1st CD". Daily Ructions. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Putterman, Alex (July 30, 2025). "Former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin to run for Congress, challenging Larson". Stamford Advocate. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ Udoma, Ebong (July 10, 2025). "CT senator backs potential primary challenge to Gov. Lamont". WSHU-FM. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ Fortuna, Angela (March 3, 2025). "Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker announces run for CT governor". WVIT. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ Cerulli, Mike (August 13, 2025). "State Sen. Ryan Fazio launches campaign for Connecticut governor". WTNH.
- ^ "SEEC FORM 1" (PDF). Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Nir, Daivd; Singer, Jeff (January 31, 2025). "Morning Digest: Why you can't run for a new office and then president two years later". The Downballot. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart now says she'll decide whether to run for governor 'sometime in the fall'
- ^ a b Haar, Dan (June 25, 2025). "Dan Haar: Sen. Ryan Fazio, a rising Republican from Greenwich, weighing a run for Governor". CT Insider. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ Cerulli, Mike (August 18, 2025). "Republicans start to pick sides: Stewart or Fazio". CT Capitol Report. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ Keating, Christopher (August 21, 2025). "Mayor Erin Stewart holds lead in CT GOP primary with 35% undecided for governor". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official gubernatorial campaign websites
- Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites