At the Republican State Convention over the weekend, Greenwich State Senator Ryan Fazio was nominated by his party to challenge Ned Lamont in the November election.
Governor Lamont is seeking a historic third consecutive term.
The convention was just days after former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart suspended her own campaign following news of her alleged misuse of a city issued p-card, spending over $200,000 on personal items over a decade.
Betsy McCaughey dropped out of the state’s Republican gubernatorial race on May 16, 2026, after she failed to secure enough delegates to force a primary. She has since thrown her support behind Fazio.
Republican State Senator Ryan Fazio with his fiancée, Amy Orser, after accepting his party’s nomination for Governor at the CT Republican State Convention at Mohegan Sun. Contributed photo
Fazio, 36, has represented the 36th district as State Senator since winning a special election to fill the seat vacated by Democrat Alex Kasser. The special election was August 26, 2021, and Fazio was sworn into office that day. Since then he was re-elected in 2022 when he defeated Trevor Crow in a close race and recount, and in 2024 when he was challenged by Stamford’s Nick Simmons. Connecticut’s 36th District includes all of Greenwich and portions of Stamford and New Canaan.
It’s been 72 years since an incumbent Governor has been unseated, but Fazio has said he will focus on uniting Republicans, and has criticized Lamont for electric rates, tax rates and the cost of living in Connecticut.
For his part, Lamont faces a primary challenge from State Representative Josh Elliott (88th district serving Hamden), who secured enough delegates at the Democratic state convention to force an August primary.
Over the years Fazio has railed against the state’s affordable housing statute, 8-30g, calling it “counterproductive and demoralizing” to to diverse communities and advocating in hearings for local zoning control.
Fazio shared with GFP his remarks from the convention, which took place at Mohegan Sun:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Sen. Harding, Sen. Formica, delegates, and fellow Republicans
I proudly accept your nomination for governor of the great state of Connecticut.
Connecticut is my home. It always has been and it always will be.
I was born here and raised here. My wonderful parents Madeline and Michael instilled my brothers and I with a sense of faith, hard work, and the obligation to do what is right. They were working class city kids, from families of union workers, who worked hard and moved to raise a family in Connecticut.
I graduated from our public schools and returned to Connecticut to build a life and start a career, because there was no other place I’d ever want to be. I got engaged here to my beautiful fiance Amy and we will start a family here.
I spent seven years volunteering as a tutor in city schools and three years for meals on wheels. I worked for many years in energy and agriculture, but took a step back in that career to run for state senate in my home district because I could not stand by anymore and watch this state governor and legislature tax, borrow, and regulate our state economy into oblivion.
And as a state senator, I won a district three times that Kamala Harris won by 17 percent, by building bridges and focusing on the issues that matter most to our neighbors every day. I passed seven laws that reduce the cost and size of our state government by finding common ground to do the right thing. That is what people across our state, no matter their party or background want of their leaders.
And yet here we sit. For the last eight years, Gov. Lamont and one-party rule have done anything but. They’ve centralized power, undermined freedoms, increased costs, and broken their promises.
After eight years of the Lamont administration, the Connecticut dream that my parents came to this state for has been left in tatters.
After eight years of the Lamont administration, Connecticut families cannot afford to pay their electric bills, their property taxes, their prescription drugs, and still have anything left over at the end of the month.
After eight years of the Lamont administration, Connecticut families are suffering under the weight of the 2nd highest electricity bills, the 3rd highest taxes, and the fourth weakest economy in the entire country.
After eight years, Gov. Lamont believes he needs four more. Four more to do what?
Gov. Lamont and the legislative super majority are running on the mantra “This is the best Connecticut can do!” The 2nd highest, 3rd highest, 4th weakest.
Well, we have something to say to that. Connecticut is a great state, with good people, and all the ability to succeed fantastically like no other place in the world. Except the right leadership in place.
That changes, right here, right now.
We are waging this campaign to bring Connecticut together to restore the promise of the Connecticut dream.
As governor I’ll deliver the largest middle class tax cut in state history saving your family thousands per year.
We will deliver historic property tax reform, so that your family doesn’t need to pay a second mortgage just to the government.
We will eliminate every hidden tax in your electricity bills and reduce electricity rates by 20 percent.
We will end sanctuary for criminals, support our law enforcement, and always protect the rights and safety of our citizens.
This state is my home just like its yours. And while our state is hurting now, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Together, we will change Hartford, save CT, and create a brighter future for all.
I am deeply humbled by your confidence in me. I will work hard every day to justify the trust of my beloved Republican party and earn the trust of every voter I haven’t won yet.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless Connecticut.