DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Incumbent Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger state Sen. Ryan Fazio of Greenwich are the leaders for governor in the first poll of likely primary voters of the 2026 election season.
For the Democratic nomination, Lamont, who is seeking a third term, continues to hold a comfortable lead over challenger Josh Elliott, 57%-13%, according to the Nutmeg State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire. The big poll result here is that 63% of the likely voters didn’t know enough about Elliott to render an opinion. Also, it is worth noting 29% of those surveyed don’t know or are undecided.
In the GOP race for governor, Fazio has a slight lead over former six-term New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, 42%-40%. Specifically, those figures represent favorability among likely voters. When you break down the overall polling results, 22% found Stewart as unfavorable compared to Fazio at 3%. However, 39% of voters didn’t have enough information about Fazio compared to 33% for Stewart. The two other primary candidates – Timothy Wilcox (MAGA) and Betsy McCaughey (former New York lieutenant governor) – are third and fourth with 26% and 14%, respectively.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Fazio cited the poll results and focused on the results of a question that measured Gov. Lamont’s job approval rating.
“This poll shows our message to cut taxes, gut Eversource bills, and deport criminals is resonating with voters,” said Sen. Fazio. “That said, the only poll that matters is when voters go to the ballot box. I will work hard every day to earn the trust of voters and demonstrate that I am the candidate Republicans can trust and count on in this race.”
He added that his campaign sees Lamont’s drop in net approval rating to +4 from +17 in November 2025 as troublesome for the incumbent. The same poll had Lamont’s favorability rating at 57% in November 2025 and 49% this February.
“Governor Lamont’s support is falling fast because after eight years of his administration working families cannot afford to live or work in Connecticut, and his administration has failed to deliver transparency or accountability,” Fazio added.
Some good news for Lamont is that the Nutmeg State Poll showed major support for the governor’s $400 rebate to residents to offset high energy bills (60% support the proposal.)
The Nutmeg State Poll is an omnibus survey in which the Survey Center conducts its own research and interested groups, agencies, or organizations can purchase one or more questions. The Poll is conducted using the Nutmeg State Panel, a probability-based web panel of Connecticut residents recruited by the Survey Center.
