Erin Stewart's Struggles Give Ryan Fazio and Betsy McCaughey New Life in GOP Governor Race
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 30
The political landscape for the Connecticut GOP gubernatorial primary has shifted dramatically. The fallout from former mayor of New Britain Erin Stewart’s WTNH interview on April 19, 2026 has moved beyond "blunders" into formal legal and criminal inquiries. This controversy has created a clear opening for her rivals: Greenwich residents Ryan Fazio and Betsy McCaughey.
The Investigation Escalates
As of late April 2026, the Connecticut State Police and the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office have officially launched a criminal investigation into the New Britain City Hall tax office.
The Catalyst: A report by the Crumbie Law Group (commissioned by Stewart’s successor, Mayor Bobby Sanchez) alleged that former Tax Collector Cheryl Blogoslawski regularly backdated payments to waive interest.
The "Mayor" Connection: The most damaging evidence found was a digital note in the tax system attached to a backdated payment explicitly marked: “1 time courtesy per mayor.” While Blogoslawski was officially fired on April 15, 2026, she has alleged that she acted with the "knowledge of the Mayor’s office" and, in at least one instance, at its direct request.
Stewart’s "Bribery" Walk-Back
Stewart’s admission during her interview with Dennis House—that she was offered bribes "100 percent" and "all the time"—has created a separate legal headache.
The Legal Trap: Under Connecticut state law, public officials are required to report any attempt at bribery to law enforcement immediately. Stewart admitted she simply "wrote those people off" rather than reporting them.
The Defense: Stewart has since attempted to rebrand these "bribes" as "pleas by unsophisticated constituents," such as "little old ladies" offering envelopes of cash to pay delinquent taxes. However, her opponents argue that her initial description of "egregious cases" contradicts this softer explanation.
The State of the Race
The controversy has fundamentally altered the math for the GOP State Convention in May:
Ryan Fazio (The "Safe" Choice): Fazio’s campaign has been aggressive, questioning Stewart’s "legal jeopardy." With both candidates having secured $3.75 million in public financing, Fazio no longer faces a financial disadvantage. He is currently courting delegates, presenting himself as a scandal-free legislator capable of winning a general election against fellow Greenwich resident, Governor Ned Lamont. His campaign prioritizes removing the public benefit charge on your utility bill.
Betsy McCaughey (The "Outsider"): McCaughey is positioning herself as the only candidate "untainted" by the Connecticut political establishment. Her goal is to secure 15% of the delegate vote at the convention to force a primary. Analysts suggest that Stewart’s "loose" delegates (those wavering due to the investigation) are now more likely to move toward McCaughey to ensure a "fighter" is on the ballot. Her campaign prioritizes phasing out the income tax.
Current Outlook: The upcoming May convention will likely determine if Fazio can consolidate the "establishment" vote or if McCaughey can leverage the chaos to pick up the delegates she needs.
Between the Lines: Greenwich is becoming the center of gravity in this race for Governor.