Who’s running in the 2026 Connecticut Governor race?
The 2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election will determine who serves as the next governor of Connecticut, with the contest taking place on November 3, 2026. Voters will choose between candidates from the Democratic, Republican, and potentially other parties. Incumbent Governor Ned Lamont is seeking a third term, facing both intra-party and opposition challenges. This article provides an in-depth look at all candidates and helps readers understand the Connecticut Governor election process and landscape.
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2026 Connecticut Governor Election: Who Is Running?
Connecticut’s 2026 gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The office of Governor is up for election, with incumbent Ned Lamont, a Democrat, running for a possible third term. Connecticut does not have term limits that prevent Lamont from seeking re-election. According to current race ratings, the contest is described as Solid D, indicating a Democratic-leaning environment as of now. The field includes multiple candidates from both major parties. The state has a history of competitive primaries, particularly within the Democratic Party, where the moderate incumbent faces a challenge from the progressive wing. On the Republican side, the primary is also contested and features state senator Ryan Fazio and former mayor Erin Stewart. This 2026 Connecticut Governor election is part of the nationwide gubernatorial contests and is considered a significant event in the state’s political calendar.
Candidates in the 2026 Connecticut Governor Election
Democratic Candidates:
Incumbent Governor Ned Lamont is running for a third term, representing the Democratic Party. Lamont has served as governor since 2019 and has officially declared his candidacy and filed for the race. According to the candidate’s record, he is running on his experience as the incumbent governor of Connecticut.
State Representative Josh Elliott of the 88th district is also officially declared as a Democratic candidate. Elliott has served in the state legislature since 2017 and previously ran for Secretary of the State in 2022. He is supported by endorsements such as Saud Anwar, state senator from the 3rd district, and highlights issues like progressive leadership and tax policy for the wealthy.
Republican Candidates: Ryan Fazio, a current state senator for Connecticut’s 36th district since 2021, has filed paperwork and is officially declared as a Republican candidate. According to the provided summary, Fazio has received endorsements from Stephen Harding (state senate minority leader), Vincent Candelora (state house minority leader), Rob Sampson (state senator), Eric Berthel (state senator), Joseph Canino (state representative), and Joseph Polletta (state representative).
Erin Stewart, the former mayor of New Britain (2013–2025) and a previous gubernatorial candidate in 2018, is also running and has filed for the race.
Timothy Wilcox is another Republican candidate who has filed but has stated he does not plan to raise or spend campaign funds. Independent/Other Candidates: No independent or third-party candidates have filed as of this reporting. The 2026 Connecticut Governor election features multiple officially declared and filed candidates from both major parties, each with specific backgrounds in state leadership and legislative experience.
The Connecticut Gubernatorial Election will take place on November 3, 2026
The Connecticut gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, in conjunction with other statewide races. The primary elections are scheduled for August 11, 2026, as noted in candidate filings and race overviews. Connecticut uses a closed primary format, meaning that only registered party voters may participate in their party’s primary. Voters will first select their preferred nominees in the Democratic and Republican primaries. Winners of each party’s primary, along with any qualified independent or third-party candidates, will advance to the general election in November. There is no mention of ranked-choice voting or nonpartisan blanket primaries in the provided data. This race is part of the broader 2026 United States gubernatorial elections, and it will be closely watched given the incumbent’s bid for a rare third term and dynamic primary contests within each party.
Polling and Race Outlook in the 2026 Connecticut Governor Election
Recent polling from August 2025 indicates that Governor Ned Lamont leads Republican candidate Erin Stewart by a margin of 50% to 42% among likely voters in a hypothetical general election scenario, with 8% undecided. Within the Republican primary, Erin Stewart leads Ryan Fazio by 42% to 13%, although there is a large share of undecided voters. Governor Lamont holds a 63% approval rating as of October 2025, according to Morning Consult. However, a University of New Hampshire poll from May 2025 found that 44% of Connecticut voters were opposed to him running for a third term. Analysts and reports characterize the 2026 Connecticut gubernatorial race as leaning solidly Democratic. The general election is seen as competitive due to intra-party tensions, particularly on the Democratic side, and a crowded Republican field.
Key Issues in the 2026 Connecticut Governor Race
Several key issues are shaping the 2026 Connecticut Governor election. Among them are the potential third term of incumbent Governor Ned Lamont and ongoing debates between the progressive and moderate factions within the Democratic Party. Additionally, the governor’s vetoes on housing reform (H.B. 5002) and jobless benefits for striking workers (S.B. 8) have been points of contention and discussion. On the Republican side, primary competition is a focus, with candidates debating topics such as tax policy, economic direction, and party strategy. Josh Elliott, one of the Democratic challengers, has emphasized tax policy, particularly the idea of increased taxes on the wealthy, as a campaign issue. Other issues mentioned in the candidate and article summaries include the effectiveness of state leadership, government spending, law enforcement support, and energy costs. The race’s outcome may be influenced by voter views on these matters and the candidates’ proposed approaches.
Partner with Sutton & Smart for Your 2026 Campaign
Sutton & Smart provides professional services for campaigns and organizations, including petition gathering, canvassing, voter contact, and political consulting for elections like the 2026 Connecticut Governor race. Connect with us to help achieve your campaign goals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Connecticut_gubernatorial_election
2026 Connecticut Governor Race Overview and Candidates
https://ctmirror.org/2025/11/14/ct-unaffiliated-voters/
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Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
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