Can Ned Lamont make it three-in-a-row?

The governor officially kicked off his historic reelection bid on Friday with five stops across the state.

The campaign launch focused on jobs and the cost of living, but Lamont's opponents said he has done little to make Connecticut more affordable over the last seven years.

Lamont's tour began bright and early at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, where he met with mayors, school leaders and businesses like Sikorsky. The governor touted his push for workforce training in high schools and new companies moving to Connecticut.

"It's been a priority for the last eight years," he said. "We're doubling down. We've got some of the leading manufacturers who are growing in the state, talking about what we can do to make sure they have the jobs they need. Our economy is growing faster than other states, our unemployment rate is lower. We're going to work like heck to stay ahead of the game."

Later, Lamont took a walking tour of downtown New Haven with Mayor Justin Elicker. The city has seen a development boom over the past few years, but still struggles with high poverty and crime.

"We are going to five different congressional districts today to highlight our accomplishments, but also what we hope to accomplish for the people of Connecticut," said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz.

Bysiewicz was up late presiding over one of those accomplishments – a sweeping new housing law that passed the state Senate after hours of intense debate. Supporters said it will finally address Connecticut's severe housing shortage, but critics called it a free pass for developers to bypass local zoning rules.

In a new campaign video, Lamont tells voters, "There's still a lot more to do."

That includes launching universal child care in 2027, getting health care costs under control and finally lowering Connecticut's energy costs, which are some of the highest in the nation.

Lamont is focusing on cost-of-living issues. He passed the first state income tax cut in decades, expanded Earned Income Tax Credits for the working poor and boosted special education funding. Lamont also raised the minimum wage and approved Paid Family Medical Leave.

But critics say he could do more.

The governor has bucked his own party by opposing higher taxes on millionaires and a permanent child tax credit.

"We don't need that. I don't support that," he told News 12 Connecticut in April. "I've given a significant tax cut to middle-class families. We've done a lot to make our tax system more progressive."

Meantime, Lamont has blasted conservatives' tax cut proposals as fiscally irresponsible.

Lamont believes voters will stick with his pragmatic, centrist approach.

But political rivals paint him as either too liberal – or too conservative.

Fellow Democrat Josh Elliott, a progressive state representative from Hamden, launched a challenge to Lamont in July. He claims the governor, a multimillionaire from Greenwich, is shortchanging the poor in favor of the wealthy.

"Less property tax, less sales tax and more income tax for the top income earners," Elliott said. "A vanishingly small number of people can do a lot for our state."

Meantime, Republicans said Connecticut remains too expensive on Lamont's watch.

"After two full terms, Gov. Lamont has raised taxes and public benefits charges to the point that Connecticut has the third-highest electricity rates and taxes in the country," said state Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich), the only Republican officially in the race so far. "Two terms are enough. It's time for a positive change. As Governor, I will reduce electricity rates by 20%, cut taxes by $1,500 per family, support our law enforcement and create opportunity for all."

Longtime New Britain mayor Erin Stewart is exploring a run for governor as well and plans to make an official announcement in the coming weeks.

"Governor Lamont wants a third term. Ambition's good … so is accountability," she posted on X recently. "I'll have more to say on that soon."

Polls consistently show that Lamont is one of the nation's most popular governors – but voters are also wary of a third term.

"I don't think he's done a good enough job with the electric companies," said Tom Foreit, of Norwalk. "This Public Benefits [Charge] , I don't think he's used his power to get that taken care of."

Lamont said Friday that he is focused on long-term energy solutions – including more natural gas, which has frustrated some environmental groups.

"What you need is more generation," he said. "We can't drill for oil and gas in this state. I'm doing everything I can to increase generation, give people a sense that prices are going to hold steady or go down over the next five years."

Several voters said they plan to vote for Lamont again, in spite Connecticut's high cost of living

"It's always a big deal, but I think he's doing what he can," said Gregory Williams, of Norwalk.

Frustration with President Donald Trump, who lost Connecticut by double digits in 2024, could help also help Lamont.

"Someone who stands up to our president and is for the people and not for his own agenda," said Todd Ackert, Norwalk.

Democrats swept municipal elections across the state this month, flipping more than two dozen towns from red to blue.