The top contenders in the Connecticut gubernatorial race were at a Trumbull Marriott hotel Wednesday to tell tech company CEOs how they can bring more information technology jobs to the state.

The candidates include Republican Mark Boughton, the mayor of Danbury, and Democrat Ned Lamont, a businessman and former Greenwich selectman. They each have their respective party's endorsement. Democrat Joe Ganim, Bridgeport's current mayor, and others were also present.

Exago is a software development company that provides 40 high-paying jobs in Shelton. But CEO Mike Brody said he's unsure if he could provide more.

"We're constantly getting emails from the state, from different agencies, for taxes, unemployment insurance," he said. "(It's) difficult to understand."

Gubernatorial candidates all promised the companies less red tape from Hartford.

"We have lurched from crisis to crisis," Boughton said. "We haven't been able to figure it out; we don't get it. We have not adopted pro-growth policies and measures."

Lamont said: "We're going to find a way to legitimately make sure our regulations work -- protect the people -- but don't hamstring business."

Ganim said he wants to create "free tech zones" in inner cities, "where tech companies can cut through the red tape and create quickly the opportunities for young people coming out of schools."

The Connecticut Technology Council surveyed tech companies across the state about their needs.