Stewart Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign After Fraud Allegations

by Viktoria Sundqvist and Kate Santini

NEW BRITAIN, CT — Republican gubernatorial candidate and former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said Thursday she has suspended her campaign following the release of an independent investigation into her credit card spending as mayor.

Stewart is accused of using her city-issued credit card to fund “routine living expenses” such as clothing, jewelry, diapers, and party supplies, according to a report issued by the Crumbie Law Group. Purchases between June 2016 through November 2025 totaling over $200,000 were reviewed.

“The continued allegations from New Britain City Hall have understandably taken over this race and diverted attention away from the critical mission of saving our state from high taxes, high costs, the most expensive energy in America, and low opportunity for young people,” Stewart said in a statement Thursday morning. “I take the allegations that have been made against me very seriously. And for that reason, I am suspending my gubernatorial campaign effective immediately so that I can focus on addressing those claims.”

The investigation was ordered by current mayor Robert “Bobby” Sanchez, who took office last fall. He had promised accountability, transparency, and a full review of any allegations involving the misuse of taxpayer resources. The release of the report follows a Hartford Courant investigation published earlier this week related to Stewart’s spending as mayor.

“This report confirms what many feared: there was a deeply troubling pattern of abuse involving public funds, repeated violations of City policy, and conduct that represented a serious breach of the public trust,” Sanchez said in a statement. “The findings outlined in this investigation are outrageous.”

Sanchez said the report makes it clear that these were not isolated incidents, but “a consistent pattern of conduct that investigators say violated City policy and undermined public confidence in government.”

The report’s findings have been referred to both the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office, Sanchez said. 

Stewart said it was “extraordinarily difficult to make this decision” because of her “amazing campaign so far,” attracting more than 3,000 individual donors. She was a front-runner for the Republican Party’s nomination for governor at this weekend’s Republican convention at Mohegan Sun.

“Public service comes with scrutiny, and I have always accepted that,” she said in her statement. “Anyone who knows me — whether from my years serving the people of New Britain, working alongside colleagues, or simply as a friend, daughter, wife, and mother — knows the kind of leader I have always tried to be.”

Stewart said she has requested copies of all the relevant documents so she can review them and take accountability for any mistakes. 

“I intend to make full and complete restitution to the City of New Britain — my home — for anything that I owe,” she said.

She urged all delegates supporting her to now put their support behind state Sen. Ryan Fazio for the governor’s seat. Fazio previously called on Stewart to publicly account for her expenses before the delegates vote. Other party colleagues, including state Rep. Vincent Candelora, the top-ranking Republican in the state House, suggested this week that Stewart should stop speaking publicly and should hire an attorney.

“This is the time for our party to come together and spend the next six months focused squarely on electing Republicans up and down the ballot,” Stewart said. “It is my intention not only to suspend my campaign but also to step back from public life as I do what  is necessary to address these questions and make things right. I cannot change the past, but I can make the next right decision — and this is it.”

In the hours after Stewart’s announcement, various state officials reacted publicly to the announcement.

Gov. Ned Lamont, at an unrelated event at UConn, responded to a question about the Stewart campaign

“There were some serious allegations, we’ve got to get to the bottom of that,” he said.

Lamont said he had not seen the report but had read a news story about it and was glad there had been an independent investigation.

“I think the people of New Britain and Connecticut want to make sure their tax dollars are being appropriately spent,” he said. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Let’s see what the investigation brings.”

House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said Stewart had made the right decision for herself and Connecticut.

“Public service demands the highest standards of integrity, and when a public official or candidate fails to meet them, there is really only one appropriate path forward,” Candelora said.

He added that Lamont, who he said presided over an administration where a “culture of corruption” had been allowed to take hold, should take note.

“We need a governor who is not just committed to making this state more affordable, but to running a government that is both honest and accountable to the people it serves,” he said before going on to urge Republicans to unite behind Fazio.