WESTPORT – First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, a Republican, has announced she is running for governor in 2026 against incumbent Democrat Ned Lamont, according to Tooker.
“I will file papers on Monday with Secretary of the State’s office,” she told the Fairfield County Business Journal at the Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence presentation to rocker Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones at Westport Library.
“Today is about Keith Richards. We’re going to stick to that. We’re going to stick to the celebration. This is the governor’s show.”
In a statement released to several news outlets, including Fairfield Patch and Staples High School Inklings, the first selectwoman said:
“For too long, Connecticut families and businesses have been burdened by high taxes, rising costs, and a state government that lacks accountability,” said Tooker. “I’m running for governor to restore fiscal discipline, create an economy where businesses and workers thrive, and make Connecticut a place where families can afford to stay, work, and retire.”
While the ending of her first term as one of Westport’s pair of selectwomen draws near, Tooker informed the public that she will not try for a second term as first selectwoman, but instead wishes to use her talents and skills to aid all of Connecticut by running for governor, the Inklings reported.
“It has been an incredible honor to be the leader of this amazing community,” she said in the statement. “I have served in multiple elected roles for almost 14 years. We have achieved so much together for the town we all call home. I am ready to bring my experience and commitment to Hartford to ensure a stronger future for our entire state.”
Tooker is the second Republican woman planning on running for governor next year. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, who announced she will not seek another term, has formed an exploratory committee to consider a run to become Connecticut government’s chief executive. She has made a point to say that she hasn’t quite made the decision to run yet.
“Recently, I formed an exploratory committee to begin the process of exploring a run for governor,” Stewart said in a Facebook video. “An exploratory committee is the first step that a candidate takes to test the viability of and begin the process of raising the money needed to fund a successful campaign effort.”
Gov. Lamont, who is in his second term, has not yet announced his intentions of seeking a third term.
