2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election

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2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
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Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Governor

Ned Lamont
Democratic



The 2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Connecticut. Primary elections will take place on August 11, with early voting from August 3 to 9. [1]

Contents

Incumbent Democratic governor Ned Lamont is running for a third term. Lamont is one of the most popular governors in the United States, with a 63% approval rating as of October 2025, according to Morning Consult ; [2] however, a University of New Hampshire poll from May 2025 found that 44% of Connecticut voters believe he should not run for a third term. [3] Josh Elliott, a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, is also running in the democratic primary as a progressive challenger. [4]

Democratic primary

Incumbent Ned Lamont announced that he was seeking a third term on November 14, 2025, despite initially expressing some doubts about running again. [5] [6] State Representative Josh Elliott is attempting to primary Lamont, believing Connecticut needs a more progressive leader. [7] Lamont, a moderate Democrat, has often faced attacks from those in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, [8] with frustrations increasing after he vetoed two pieces of legislation passed by the General Assembly: H.B. 5002 and S.B. 8, concerning YIMBY housing reforms and jobless benefits for striking workers, respectively. [9]

Governor

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Endorsements

Ned Lamont

U.S. representatives

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Josh Elliott

State legislators

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Ned
Lamont		Josh
Elliott		OtherUndecided
University of New Hampshire [17] November 13–17, 2025235 (LV)± 6.4%55%7%2% [b] 37%

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Declared

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

Declared
Filed paperwork
  • Timothy Wilcox [22]
Formed exploratory committee
Withdrawn
Declined

Endorsements

Ryan Fazio

State legislators

Betsy McCaughey

State officials

Erin Stewart

State legislators

Local officials

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Ryan FazioErin StewartOtherUndecided
OnMessage Inc. (R) [31] [A] August 11–14, 2025400 (LV)± 4.9%13%42%10%35%

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Declared
  • Matthew Corey, bar owner and perennial candidate [26]

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [32] Solid DSeptember 11, 2025
Inside Elections [33] Solid DAugust 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [34] Safe DSeptember 4, 2025
Race to the WH [35] Safe DNovember 25, 2025

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Ned Lamont (D)Erin Stewart (R)Undecided
OnMessage Inc. (R) [36] [A] August 2025600 (LV)–50%42%8%

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ 'Write in someone else' with 2%

Partisan clients

  1. 1 2 Poll sponsored by Stewart's campaign

References

  1. ↑ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ "U.S. Governor Approval Rating Tracker". Morning Consult Pro. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  3. ↑ Craven, John (June 5, 2025). "Gov. Lamont 'seriously' considering running for a rare third term". News 12 Connecticut.
  4. ↑ Putterman, Alex. "State Rep. Josh Elliott announces campaign for governor, promising to tax CT's wealthy". CT Insider. Archived from the original on February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  5. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (November 14, 2025). "Today, the curtain goes up on Ned Lamont's bid for a third term". CT Mirror. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  6. ↑ Haar, Dan. "Dan Haar: Will he run? Lamont interview reveals doubts about a third term for Connecticut governor". CT Insider. Archived from the original on July 1, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  7. ↑ Elliot, Josh (July 14, 2025). "Today, we launch more than a campaign—we start a conversation. About the issues that matter, the bold solutions we need, and how we build a stronger, more inclusive Democratic Party. It's time to lead with courage and deliver real change. Let's do this-together". X. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  8. ↑ Dixon, Ken (November 14, 2025). "Why does Ned Lamont want a rare third term? Connecticut governor explains". CT Insider. Retrieved November 14, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (June 23, 2025). "Lamont vetoes H.B. 5002 housing bill, sets local 'buy-in' as priority". CT Mirror.
  10. ↑ Putterman, Alex (July 14, 2025). "State Rep. Josh Elliott announces campaign for governor, promising to tax CT's wealthy". CT Insider. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  11. ↑ Mike Cerulli (November 7, 2025). "Ned Lamont to run for third term as Connecticut governor in 2026". WTNH .
  12. ↑ Putterman, Alex (July 30, 2025). "Former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin to run for Congress, challenging Larson". Stamford Advocate . Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gov. Ned Lamont wins full endorsement from CT's U.S. House delegation with focus on affordability". Hartford Courant. November 22, 2025. Archived from the original on November 22, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Who has endorsed candidates in Connecticut governor's race". Connecticut Insider. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  15. ↑ "College Democrats of Connecticut". Facebook. College Democrats of Connecticut. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  16. ↑ Udoma, Ebong (July 10, 2025). "CT senator backs potential primary challenge to Gov. Lamont". WSHU-FM . Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Lamont Popular Among Likely Dem Primary Voters, Enjoys Large Lead Over Elliott for Nomination 11/24/2025". All UNH Survey Center Polls. November 24, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  18. ↑ Eng, Donald (November 7, 2025). "Lamont Confirms Run For Third Term — 'Susan And I Are Ready To Go'". CT News Junkie. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  19. ↑ Cerulli, Mike (August 13, 2025). "State Sen. Ryan Fazio launches campaign for Connecticut governor". WTNH .
  20. ↑ Haar, Dan (December 3, 2025). "Betsy McCaughey, an enigma for CT Republicans, eyeing a late entry for governor". CT Insider . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  21. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (November 18, 2025). "Erin Stewart kicks off campaign for CT governor". The Connecticut Mirror . Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  22. ↑ "SEEC FORM 1" (PDF). Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  23. ↑ Hughes, Paul (January 14, 2026). "Former Greenwich state representative exploring GOP run for governor". CT Insider . Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Jen Tooker seeks GOP nomination for state comptroller". News 12 - Default. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  25. ↑ Gurciullo, Brianna (September 26, 2025). "Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, a Republican, drops out of the race for CT governor". Stamford Advocate. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  26. 1 2 Keating, Christopher (June 5, 2025). "Will CT Gov. Lamont run again? Here's what he said". Hartford Courant . Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  27. 1 2 Haar, Dan (June 25, 2025). "Dan Haar: Sen. Ryan Fazio, a rising Republican from Greenwich, weighing a run for Governor". CT Insider . Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  28. 1 2 3 Cerulli, Mike (August 18, 2025). "Republicans start to pick sides: Stewart or Fazio". CT Capitol Report. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  29. 1 2 Strothers, Zoe (September 4, 2025). "CT Republican Leaders endorse Ryan Fazio for Governor". WFSB . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Pataki endorses Betsy McCaughey for Connecticut governor". Mid Hudson News. January 17, 2026. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  31. ↑ Keating, Christopher (August 21, 2025). "Mayor Erin Stewart holds lead in CT GOP primary with 35% undecided for governor". Hartford Courant . Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  32. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  34. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  36. ↑ Cerulli, Mike (August 22, 2025). "EXCLUSIVE: New polling reveals hypothetical match-up between two potential CT gubernatorial candidates". WTNH-TV . Retrieved August 29, 2025.
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