Vote 2026: CT’s top two Republicans endorse Fazio for governor over Erin Stewart
The GOP leaders of the Connecticut House and Senate are both backing Fazio over New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, who has raised $305,000 in an exploratory committee.
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Greenwich Republican Ryan Fazio’s bid for governor snagged two major endorsements on Thursday.
Connecticut House GOP leader Vin Candelora (R-North Branford) and state Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield) announced they are backing Fazio over New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and Westport First Selectman Jennifer Tooker.
“It’s nothing against Erin,” Harding told News 12 Connecticut. “It’s all about Ryan’s attributes. Ryan is the most intelligent legislator that I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to meet.”
Stewart launched an exploratory committee in January, but has not officially entered the race for governor yet. Her campaign has raised more than $300,000.
By contrast, Fazio only entered the race on Aug, 13. Tooker filed to run in April.
The endorsements came just before Republicans’ annual Prescott Bush Dinner in Stamford, a key chance for candidates to lobby local party leaders. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is the event’s speaker.
Connecticut Republicans won’t officially endorse a candidate until their party convention next May. And even then, voters could end up picking the party’s nominee in an August primary.
“I’ve typically waited a lot longer to make endorsements, but I think it just speaks to how strongly I feel about Ryan as a candidate for our Republican ticket,” Candelora said.
Stewart released an internal poll last month showing her with a commanding lead over Fazio. Stewart said that she is more electable than Fazio – who, like Gov. Ned Lamont, is wealthy and from Greenwich.
“I don’t want them to make the same mistakes that they have made in the past by nominating an unelectable candidate in a general election,” she said.
Whoever Republicans select will likely take on Lamont, who has said he is “seriously” considering running for a rare third term. In modern times, only Republican John Rowland has accomplished a three-peat.
On Thursday, Lamont brushed aside the GOP endorsements – but again declined to commit to running for reelection.
“Go for it,” he said. “You’ve got a Republican primary; I’m taking care of the state of Connecticut.”
