2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

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

Ned Lamont
Democratic



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Mayoral Elections

The 2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Connecticut. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ned Lamont is eligible for re-election to a third term in office. As of January 2025, Lamont has publicly expressed interest in running but has not declared a re-election bid.

Democratic convention

Candidates

Incumbent Ned Lamont is one of the most popular governors in the United States, with a 62% approval rating as of April 2025, according to Morning Consult. However, 44% of Connecticut voters believe he should not run for a third term, according to a University of New Hampshire poll from May 2025.[1] Despite this, Lamont expressed interest in running for re-election in 2026 during a press conference on June 5, 2025, influenced by the actions of the current administration of President Donald Trump.[2] However, Lamont is susceptible to a challenger from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party after he vetoed two pieces of legislation passed by the General Assembly: HB 5002 and SB 8, concerning YIMBY housing reforms and jobless benefits for striking workers, respectively.[3] Additionally, Zohran Mamdani's victory in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary may influence Connecticut progressives to challenge Lamont, who endorsed Mamdani's opponent, Andrew Cuomo.[4] State Representative Josh Elliot, a potential candidate, told CT Insider that Lamont "will not run uncontested."[5]

Filed paperwork

  • Josh Elliott, state representative from the 88th district (2017–present) and withdrawn candidate for secretary of state in 2022[6]

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

The following people have been speculated as potential candidates in the event that Lamont does not run for re-election.

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Potential
Primary endorsements
Josh Elliot (undeclared)
State legislators

Republican convention

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

Formed exploratory committee

Publicly expressed interest

Declined

  • Matthew Corey, bar owner and perennial candidate (running for lieutenant governor)[7]

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Declared
  • Matthew Corey, bar owner and perennial candidate[7]

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[15] Solid D January 23, 2025
Inside Elections[16] Solid D February 6, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[17] Safe D May 1, 2025
Race to the WH[18] Safe D June 30, 2025

See also

References

  1. ^ Craven, John (June 5, 2025). "Gov. Lamont 'seriously' considering running for a rare third term". News 12 Connecticut.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b Eng, Donald (June 5, 2025). "'A Good Place For Me To Be'". CT News Junkie. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  3. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (June 23, 2025). "Lamont vetoes H.B. 5002 housing bill, sets local 'buy-in' as priority". CT Mirror.
  4. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (June 26, 2025). "Zohran Mamdani's upset in NYC mayoral primary resonates in CT". CT Mirror. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  5. ^ Putterman, Alex (June 26, 2025). "Could CT Gov. Ned Lamont face a primary challenge?: 'He will not run uncontested'".
  6. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (July 8, 2025). "Rep. Josh Elliott files to challenge Lamont for governor". The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Keating, Christopher (June 5, 2025). "Will CT Gov. Lamont run again? Here's what he said". Hartford Courant. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  8. ^ https://connecticutcentinal.com/paging-dr-delusional-sen-anwar-thinks-connecticut-needs-higher-taxes-and-josh-elliott/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLekSZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmWF2Rxt0UxHiR2u4jNxeM6mxwCSASztg52WjWlLGl-4kEvbxuXTUoc0q-FE_aem_hNLUTFuiN3uKpayiS3cr4g
  9. ^ Fortuna, Angela (March 3, 2025). "Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker announces run for CT governor". WVIT. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  10. ^ "SEEC FORM 1" (PDF). Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  11. ^ Nir, Daivd; Singer, Jeff (January 31, 2025). "Morning Digest: Why you can't run for a new office and then president two years later". The Downballot. Retrieved January 31, 2025. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart now says she'll decide whether to run for governor 'sometime in the fall'
  12. ^ Mike Cerulli (June 25, 2025). "Connecticut State Sen. Fazio 'strongly considering' entering race for governor". WTNH.
  13. ^ a b Brink, Jenn (January 23, 2025). "New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart files paperwork for potential run for Connecticut governor". WTNH. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  16. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  17. ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  18. ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
Official campaign websites
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