HARTFORD, CT — After months of dodging questions about his future plans, Gov. Ned Lamont has finally confirmed that he and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz would run for a third term next year.
“Yeah. Susan and I are ready to go,” Lamont said in response to a reporter’s question during a media availability Friday. He added more details would be forthcoming next week.
After making official what had been considered a foregone conclusion for months, Lamont joked to the reporters that he “didn’t want you to have to ask me any longer.”
Bysiewicz attributed the monthslong delay in part to Tuesday’s elections.
“We had some really impactful municipal elections and we’re glad they’re over with,” she said. “The people of Connecticut have spoken very loudly, and now we can think about what’s next.”
With the 2026 election a year away, Lamont faces competition from progressive state Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden, for the party nomination. Greenwich Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio has announced a challenge, and former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart has formed a committee to explore a run.
Stewart previously ran for governor in 2018 before dropping out of that race to run for lieutenant governor instead. She eventually lost the primary for that office to former state Sen. Joe Markley of Southington.
Shortly after Lamont’s announcement, Eliott released a statement calling for Lamont to “stand up or step aside.”
He cited Tuesday’s blue wave result in Connecticut’s municipal elections that state voters wanted “real Democratic” leaders.
“What we need now is a governor who can be bold, act with decisiveness, and protect us from Trump,” Elliott said. “Anything less puts our most vulnerable communities and our democracy at risk.”
Fazio, in a statement posted to his official campaign website, said two terms were more than enough for Lamont.
“Governor Lamont’s first eight years in office have seen Connecticut’s electricity rates rise to the third highest in the nation, and our economic growth plummet to fourth worst in the country,” said Fazio. “Families are struggling to make ends meet, while people and jobs are leaving our state. The results speak for themselves. I am running for Governor to make our state more affordable, safe and create opportunities for all.”
Stewart did not directly comment, but in a vague post on X wrote “Ambition’s good…so is accountability.”
She said she would have more to say soon.
Discover more from InnerCity News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
