We’re not even through the 2024 election, but one Republican is already looking ahead to 2026. On Tuesday, longtime New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart announced she will not run for reelection, paving the way for a likely run for governor.

The move could pit her against Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, another moderate who ranks as one of the nation’s most popular governors.

When Stewart was first elected at 26 years old, she was one of the state's youngest mayors. Now, she will step aside to focus on a possible run for governor.

“The pieces are coming together, but I know that I have to look at that and take that very seriously. It's not just something I want to jump into," Stewart told reporters. "I won't be able to do that and do it effectively if I am mayor at the same time. I've got to be able to give my all to that and that's where I want to go."

Stewart touted her economic record during Tuesday's announcement.

“Today, New Britain’s balance sheet is stronger than at any point in my lifetime,” she Stewart. “We have cranes in the sky and shovels in the ground downtown."

A run could pit Stewart against Lamont, who praised her on Tuesday and welcomed her as a possible opponent.

“I love Erin. I've known her for quite awhile,” Lamont said. “I wish her all the best, and they’ll miss her in New Britain. We’ll see what she wants to do next.”

Connecticut hasn’t elected a Republican governor since Jodi Rell in 2006, but Stewart could be a formidable candidate. She has been elected six times in a mostly Democratic city.

“We’re millennials and we both represent areas where there are thousands of more registered Democrats than Republicans,” said state Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich). “And we have experience bringing people together.”

Stewart briefly ran for governor in 2018, but got in too late. This time, she plans to make a decision in the next few months.

“I think for anyone who's thinking about running for governor, it’s going to be early '25 that they're going to have to make that decision, for sure,” she said. “Including Gov. Lamont."

But if Stewart is waiting to see what Lamont decides, she may be waiting awhile. The governor said he’s not deciding on running for a third term anytime soon.

“Later, next year sometime,” Lamont said. “There's a lot of work to do. Everybody in this state is just nonstop politics and campaign. Let’s keep our eye on the ball.”

Lamont isn’t just facing pressure from Stewart to make a decision about 2026, though. A long list of Democrats are interested in the job if he decides to retire.