State Sen Ryan Fazio (R) may run against CT Gov Lamont (D) in 2026

Last Friday August 1, State Senator Ryan Fazio (R), whose district covers Greenwich, filed paperwork to run for statewide office, likely for Governor. Fazio, 35, is a resident of the Riverside section of Greenwich. He was elected in 2021 and re-elected in 2022 and 2024. He would likely face incumbent Governor Ned Lamont (D), 71, also a Greenwich resident, who would be running for a third four-year term.

CT is essentially a one-party state with supermajority control by Democrats in the legislature (Senate and House) and the governorship. Fazio is the ranking Republican on two crucial committees: the Energy and Technology Committee where he has led the charge to remove the onerous Public Benefits charge on electric bills, and the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. Fazio says that the state deserves better leadership for the CT people who are facing the third highest electricity prices and the third highest taxes in the country. He has advocated for defending local zoning control, tax cuts, fiscal restraint and relief on energy bills.

Other announced Republican contenders for the Governor's race include New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, Peter Lumaj of Fairfield and Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker. On the Democrat side, fifth-term state Rep. Josh Elliott, 40, of Hamden has announce that he will challenge moderate Governor Lamont from the left. Some are comparing Elliott to NY majoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for his progressive stance in terms of wanting to raise taxes on high earners.

Between the Lines: CT has not had a Republican Governor since 2006. Get ready for a Greenwich hoedown next year.

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