Gubernatorial Candidates Answer Questionnaire
- 5 hours ago
- 18 min read
Mathew Biadun | News-Editor
With months still left to go, the 2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election is shaping up to be the most interesting in years. For the first time in over two decades, a governor is running for at third term, as Ned Lamont fights for another four years in Connecticut's top job. Also for the first time, he will no longer face Bob Stewanowski, his opponent in 2018 and 2022. A suite of new Republican challengers, and a Democratic one, will fight to win their party primaries in the coming months and, if successful, take the fight into the November election.
In order to help inform student opinions on the subject, the Campus Lantern reached out to all major gubernatorial candidates, providing a questionnaire to fill out. Most questions are consistent for all candidates, with two unique for each; one on their past record, and one offering a challenging question.
Questionnaires were sent out to Ned Lamont (D), Josh Elliot (D), Erin Stewart (R), Ryan Fazio (R), Betsy McCaughey (R), and Timothy Wilcox (R). Of the six, all but Betsy McCaughey replied to the questionnaire.
Who Do You Think Was Connecticut's Best Governor, and Why?
Ned Lamont: "Connecticut has been fortunate to have many strong leaders who stepped up in difficult moments. What I’ve always admired most are governors who left the state stronger than they found it. One of the governors I’ve always respected is Ella Grasso.
She was a real trailblazer as the first woman in the country elected governor in her own right. What stands out to me most wasn’t just that she broke barriers, but how she governed. She was steady, practical, and very connected to people around Connecticut on both sides of the aisle.
She also believed in fiscal discipline and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars. That kind of grounded, common-sense leadership focused on stability, responsibility, and putting people first is something I’ve always tried to use as our principle in my own administration."
Josh Elliot: "I don’t think there’s one clear answer, but I’d point to Dannel Malloy’s work on criminal
justice reform as some of the most important leadership any Connecticut governor has
shown. He created the Second Chance Society, which recognized that people deserve the
opportunity to rebuild their lives after incarceration. That took real political courage. On
the other end, Governor Lamont has single-mindedly focused on paying down pension
debt, which sounds fiscally responsible in the abstract, but has come at the cost of
ignoring the economic pain people are feeling right now. A great governor has to do
both—be fiscally responsible and invest in people. That’s what I intend to do."
Erin Stewart: "Answer: There are a few who have had a profound and positive impact on me and my career, but none as profound as the one I never got to meet in person: Ella Grasso. She smashed the glass ceiling long before it was considered courageous and as the first woman to serve as our Governor she’s always been an inspiration to me as I work to become our third. There are also a lot of similarities between us: she was a fighter for Connecticut’s working class, a blue-collar champion who didn’t suffer fools and had a no B.S. approach to governing. That’s my kind of governor."
Ryan Fazio: "Raymond Baldwin is a governor I would emulate. He was able to reduce spending and lower the cost of government for taxpayers while facing serious economic headwinds and working with the opposing party.
He showed that it’s possible to deliver results even in difficult circumstances. Our next governor will need to do the same: balance budgets, reduce taxes, and create economic opportunity for Connecticut families."
Timothy Wilcox: “M. Jodi Rell for restoring stability and public trust to the office following the scandal-ridden administration of her predecessor.”
How Do You Plan To Tackle to Tackle Affordability in Connecticut, Particularly The Cost of Electricity and Housing?
Ned Lamont: "Affordability is the central issue facing Connecticut families, and it’s been a main focus of this administration. We’ve taken bold steps to put more money back in people’s pockets by cutting taxes in a way that helps all residents from working families, seniors and students.
Since I took office, we’ve enacted more than $840 million in permanent tax cuts across the state. These include the largest income tax reduction in Connecticut history, lowering the two lowest personal income tax rates to provide meaningful relief to middle-income workers and families. We also expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 30.5 % to 40 % of the federal credit.
We’ve eliminated state income taxes on most pension and retirement income for seniors, and expanded exemptions on Social Security and annuities, giving more retirees financial breathing room. We increased the state property tax credit on income taxes and expanded eligibility so more homeowners benefit. During my time in office, my administration also issued child tax credits for families and capped motor vehicle property taxes in many cities and towns.
These tax cuts were made possible by disciplined budgeting, paying down billions in debt and protecting our rainy-day fund so we can deliver tax relief without jeopardizing essential services.
We also took action to lower healthcare costs by capping the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for Connecticut residents at $25, helping ensure that no one has to choose between paying their bills and affording lifesaving medication.
On electricity:
We’ve pushed for reforms to the public benefits structure, expanded renewable energy, and increased transparency and accountability for utilities. We are working to lower long-term costs by diversifying our energy supply and strengthening regional transmission. I’ve also proposed an energy rebate I hope the legislature will pass that would provide $200 per individual and $400 per family to help offset some of the higher costs right now in one of the coldest winters we’ve had in decades.
The long term goal is increasing supply, focusing on clean energy, while improving energy efficiency to reduce costs. We have real structural challenges with our complex energy system in Connecticut, and it’s going to take long-term solutions and problem solving measures to address, not short-term gimmicks.
On housing:
The only long-term solution to high housing costs is more supply, so we have made historic investments in this regard. We’ve invested hundreds of millions in affordable housing, incentivized transit-oriented development, and streamlined approvals to get houses built faster where we need them. But we need more communities to step up and help us out. I hope to work with more towns on this issue."
Josh Elliot: "I have a policy platform to address electricity costs and Eversource. It consists of four
main components.
(1) Change our eminent domain laws. Currently, if the state wants to
acquire utility infrastructure, we have to pay market value––whatever Eversource’s
investors think the assets are worth. I’m proposing we change the law to allow
acquisition at book value––what the assets actually cost, minus depreciation. This way, a
public option can be affordable.
(2) Create statewide ballot initiative rights. CT is one
of the few states that does not allow questions to be put directly to voters. Changing our
constitution to include ballot initiative rights allows people to act directly when
legislatures won’t. This creates pressure for real change.
(3) Revoke the monopoly.
Eversource has an exclusive franchise to serve most of CT. We should open their
franchise rights to review and create space for municipal utilities or a state-run option.
(4) A public power option. We need an alternative to a for-profit monopoly that prioritizes
profit over working families––whether that’s municipal utilities, a statewide consumer-
owned authority, or another alternative. Other states have public power systems that
deliver cheaper and more reliable energy.
Recently, the legislature passed a housing bill to help address affordability (HB 8002). It
was originally vetoed by the governor after he caved to pressure from Fairfield county.
The bill focuses on housing growth plans, incentives for participation, transit-oriented
development, reducing parking requirements, fair rent commissions, first time home
buyers’ assistance, anti-hostile architecture, and creating a Connecticut Department of
Housing. As governor, I would work closely with the Department of Housing to be made
aware of progress on housing growth and respond to real time issues that may arise.
Furthermore, I would support statewide rent stabilization and tenant protections like Just
Cause eviction laws, expand affordable housing and increase funding for housing
subsidies, as well as work with municipalities and organizations to overcome burdensome
zoning obstacles and NIMBY resistance."
Erin Stewart: "Affordability has become the new buzzword across national politics – yet everything keeps getting more expensive. That tells you all you need to know: our leaders, particularly Ned Lamont, don’t live in the same world we do. If your Greenwich mansion has nine bathrooms you probably don’t struggle to pay that Eversource bill each month. But for the rest of us, the cost of living – particularly the cost of electricity and utilities in general – just keep spiraling out of control. What is even more maddening is that Connecticut EXPORTS about one-third of the electricity we generate here each year…and then they tell us that this is a supply and demand problem. We need a governor who will put the needs of our residents – not the big utilities – front and center. Before Connecticut-made power gets sold to other states I want to see the price of generating that power drop appreciably for our residents. We also need to eliminate the outrageous public benefits charges that act as a secondary taxing system with no accountability."
Ryan Fazio: "My plan will deliver more than $3,000 in economic relief for the average family in Connecticut.
I will deliver a $1,500 income tax cut for the average family.
I will pass a property tax cap and eliminate hundreds of unfunded mandates on our towns and cities so they can reduce the cost of housing. I will eliminate the public benefits charge on electric bills and reduce electricity costs by about $600 per family.
And I will streamline costly red tape in health care to increase competition among providers and give families more choice among insurers so costs come down.
We can make Connecticut affordable again."
Timothy Wilcox: "How will I tackle affordable in Connecticut by ending property tax motor vehicle tax and ending corruption and fraud.“
What Do You Think Have Been The Biggest Mistakes and Successes Made Under the Lamont Administration?
Ned Lamont: "Biggest successes:
Ending decades of structural deficits, delivering seven balanced budgets on time., and long-term stability after years of fiscal crisis
Building up a $4 billion budget reserve, ensuring we were ready to respond to federal cuts to SNAP, health care and nonprofits quickly.
Paying down record pension debt, saving billions for future generations
Cutting taxes, including the largest middle-class income tax cut in state history
Making record investments in schools, childcare, housing, and transportation
Biggest challenges and lessons:
We’re governing at a time of real instability coming out of Washington. When there’s chaos at the federal level from funding cuts, trade disruptions, regulatory uncertainty and this is impacting energy markets, supply chains, and family budgets in Connecticut. The unstable environment created by the Trump administration makes steady leadership here even more important.
Energy costs also remain frustratingly high, and while many of the drivers are regional or federal, that doesn’t lessen the impact. We’ve stayed focused on long-term solutions by investing in projects like Revolution Wind that will bring more reliable, locally generated power and help stabilize costs, while pushing for structural reforms across the regional grid."
Josh Elliot: "The biggest mistakes have been holding back the progressive legislature at every turn. He
made it difficult to pass housing reform, protect immigrants, and address the affordability
crisis. He vetoed the housing bill after caving to pressure from wealthy Fairfield County
interests. He’s prioritized paying down pension debt at the expense of investing in the
people and infrastructure that Connecticut needs right now. Working families are paying roughly 20% of their income in state and local taxes while the wealthiest pay around 8%,
and he has shown no interest in fixing that.
The biggest successes have been the subsequent passages of these bills despite his
resistance."
Erin Stewart: "Answer: Personally, I think his biggest mistake is seeking a third term. Connecticut can’t take four more years of mismanaged decline. On a policy basis, there’s no shortage of failures but I think we can all agree that his ill-fated attempt to place tolls on all our highways should have made him a one-term governor and, but for Covid, he would have been. Listen, Ned Lamont is a nice guy – but Gen Z and the rest of Connecticut can’t afford another four years of decline and apathy. We need a governor who is going to articulate a vision and then work night and day to make it a reality."
Ryan Fazio: "After eight years under Governor Lamont, Connecticut is less affordable than ever.
Governor Lamont has increased taxes by roughly $1 billion on workers’ wages, prepared meals, small businesses, nursing homes, and hospitals. He has presided over a $400 million increase in public benefits charges, helping drive our electricity rates to the third-highest in the country. And he has repeatedly undermined public safety by signing legislation like the Trust Act and the "Police Accountability" Law that protect criminals instead of victims."
Timothy Wilcox: "Ned Lamont biggest mistake is making Connecticut a sanctuary state to illegally immigrants and his wife’s offshore banking account“
How Well Do You Think The Second Trump Administration Has Done So Far? Biggest Successes and Failures?
Ned Lamont: "The Republican Party today is aligned almost entirely with Donald Trump, and what we’ve seen out of Washington is chaos and unpredictability. That kind of instability hurts states like Connecticut whether it’s uncertainty around tariffs, threats to federal funding, or divisive rhetoric.
The most significant failures I've seen involve the daily unpredictable actions that hurt our economy and our residents. Treating tariffs like a hidden tax or halting major infrastructure like Revolution Wind when it's already 80% finished isn't efficient and creates more obstacles. With all this dysfunction and instability in mind, we built a $500 million emergency fund firewall to ensure that if Washington fails to fund basic needs like food and health care, Connecticut won't be derailed.
Governors have to be steady. My job is to protect Connecticut’s fiscal stability, defend our civil rights, and do my best to ensure Washington dysfunction doesn’t erase the progress we’ve made here."
Josh Elliot: "Abysmal. He’s dehumanizing our community members, destroying the separation of
powers and constitutional norms, and dividing the country. That’s exactly why state
leadership matters more than ever right now. Connecticut needs a governor who will
stand up and protect our residents—not just issue press releases about it."
Erin Stewart: "If you’re able to look at this through an emotionally intelligent lens and focus solely on policy, then it’s hard not to say that President Trump has done exactly what he said he would do. And even if you vehemently disagree with his policies, when is the last time we had a President who actually said what he means and does what he says? He has secured the border and is removing violent criminals who are living here illegally from our streets. He is unleashing the capabilities of our domestic energy supply. He is willing to take on global threats that his predecessors, Democrat and Republican alike, have been unwilling to confront which have strengthened the United States’ hand in negotiating with tyrants in Russia and China. I may not agree with everything he does or how he chooses to do it, but I admire his courage in keeping his word."
Ryan Fazio: "I appreciate the work of the administration to cut taxes for the middle class and to secure our border. Looking ahead, I hope leaders in Washington can come together to rein in excessive spending."
Timothy Wilcox: "Trump is keeping every promise he made he is doing Great.”
Why Should A College Student Vote For You?
Ned Lamont: "This election is about your future. Not just the next four years, but the next twenty plus years.
If you’re a college student in Connecticut, you’re thinking about opportunity, affordability, and whether you can actually build a life here after graduation. That’s what we’ve focused on. We increased funding for higher education and launched debt-free community college to reduce the financial pressure on you and your family. We’ve expanded workforce training and paid internships so your first job is a launchpad for your success. And we’re investing in climate resilience and clean energy jobs because your generation will lead that economy. These are all investments we’re making now for you and your future.
At the same time, we made a decision not to balance today’s budget on your back. We paid down billions in pension debt and built up reserves so we’re not passing financial obligations to the next generation. We want you to inherit opportunity not instability.
We’ve also protected reproductive freedom and civil rights, because your ability to make your own decisions and live in an inclusive state isn’t negotiable. We’ll always stand up for each other.
This campaign is about keeping Connecticut a place where you can afford to stay, find a great job, start a business, buy a home, and build a future. Your success is our success."
Josh Elliot: "I plan to prioritize retaining young people in CT by making it more affordable. I will also
ensure that CT is not stuck in the past. My administration will prioritize mitigating and
adapting to climate change and using the challenge to create economic opportunities. CT
will continue to be a great place to work, live, have a family, and it will be more
affordable."
Erin Stewart: "Answer: Because I’m one of them. I am a proud product of our CSCU system. I’m a firefighter’s daughter from a blue-collar family in New Britain. I struggle to pay my bills each and every month just like them. I’ve experienced firsthand the negative impacts of the decisions made at our state capitol and how they disproportionately hurt working class Connecticut and drive young people out of this state before their careers ever begin. I’m running for one reason and one reason only: to get things done. To make Connecticut more competitive, to create more and better opportunities for everyone to succeed right here, and to bring balance to a state government that has lost its way."
Ryan Fazio: "Young people in Connecticut have watched jobs and opportunities leave the state for decades.
Many people who love this state and want to build their lives here are being pushed away by the high cost of living and a stagnant economy. My plan focuses on creating a stronger economy that provides high-paying jobs and affordability. By delivering thousands of dollars in relief for the average worker and bringing investment back into our state, we can make Connecticut a place where young people can build a career, buy a home, and start a family."
Timothy Wilcox: “I want to make Connecticut Great again for the young people of Connecticut they are the future of Connecticut. I want to end Corruption and fraud in Connecticut.“
The following questions are all candidate specific. Each candidate was given one chance to exemplify something unique from their record or background, and another question intended to be more challenging.
Ned Lamont
Q: Three of your opponents (Ryan Fazio, Erin Stewart, and Betsy McCaughey) have pledged to cut the public benefits charge, while one (Josh Elliot) has promised to implement a wealth tax. What are your thoughts on those policies? Would you promise to do, or not to do, either?
A: "On the public benefits charge:
We all agree energy costs are too high. Just saying you will “cut” a line item without addressing that it funds low-income assistance, clean energy investments, and grid reliability isn’t responsible.
On a wealth tax:
My focus is on affordability for the middle class. We’ve already delivered the largest income tax cut in state history and eliminated the estate tax for 99% of residents. My goal is to grow our economy because we need more taxpayers, not more taxes."
Q: What policy specifically would you point to from your record as governor as a reason to vote for you?
A: "One of the things I’m most proud of is that we got Paid Family Medical Leave done. It sends a clear message that in Connecticut, we put working families, parents, and people first. We’ve got your back.
It is one of many accomplishments that make a real difference in people’s lives — like increasing the minimum wage from $10 to nearly $17 an hour and the childcare endowment, which we passed while delivering consistent budget surpluses after decades of deficits. These fiscal responsibilities allowed us to cut taxes to working families and invest in our people, our kids, and our students at record levels.
That combination matters. Anyone can promise spending or tax cuts. Doing both responsibly, while paying down billions in pension debt and protecting our rainy-day fund, takes discipline and leadership. Connecticut today is more stable, more competitive, and better positioned for the future than it was when I took office. This campaign is about protecting that progress and building on it."
Josh Elliot
Q: You have advocated for further taxes on the wealthy, which some have criticized for potentially driving away investment and/or business. If elected governor, how would you support businesses in the state and grow the state’s economy?
A: "I plan to raise taxes on the ultra-wealthy. These taxes will not be done carelessly for political gain, but thoughtfully like Massachusetts––to make CT a more affordable place for working families. Massachusetts did not see wealthy people or businesses flee the state, because it is a great place to live. Additionally, I am a small business owner of a grocery store. I know what it entails to be a small business owner. In fact, I want more small business owners in CT. Making loans more accessible for all and holding corporations accountable are important to avoid monopolies and grow the state’s
economy."
Q: What specifically would you point to from your record in the legislature as a reason to vote for you?
A: "I’m proudest of the telecommunications bill I championed, which made Connecticut the
first state in the nation to ensure free phone calls for incarcerated people. Before that bill,
families were forced to choose between staying in contact with their loved ones and
paying their bills. No family should have to make that kind of painful economic decision
just to hear their child’s voice. Beyond that, I founded Connecticut’s progressive caucus
to create an organized voice for working families in the legislature. I’ve served on the
Judiciary Committee, Public Health Committee, and Higher Education Committee, and
I’ve consistently fought for tax fairness and workers’ rights. I also ran my first race
against the sitting Speaker of the House—because I’ve never been afraid to take on
powerful interests when it’s the right thing to do. That’s the kind of leadership I’ll bring
to the governor’s office."
Erin Stewart
Q: You served on the Board of Regents for the CSCU System. Last year, following Chancellor Cheng’s spending scandal, a decision was made to allow him to keep his salary for the final year of his term, and to serve it out as an ‘advisor’. Did you agree with this arrangement? If not, what would you have done differently?
A: "I did NOT agree with this arrangement. It was never brought to the Regents for a vote. I vehemently expressed my outrage to anyone who would listen. Under Governor Stewart, Cheng would have been fired on the spot and if he wanted to sue me, bring it on. I fight for the taxpayers."
Q: What specifically would you point to from your record in New Britain as a reason to vote for you?
A: "When I took office in 2013, New Britain stood at the brink of bankruptcy with a $30 million structural deficit. Unlike the City of Hartford, the state wasn’t going to just bail us out. So I rolled-up my sleeves, went through every line item in the budget, met with every single union in the city and told them they could either be part of the problem or part of the solution, and had to make some tough and unpopular decisions that could make me a one-term mayor…but they were the right decisions for our city’s future. 12 years later I left an operating surplus of $34 million. If you want a governor who knows what she’s doing because she’s been there, if you want a governor who will tell you exactly what needs to be done and then does it, and if you want a governor who will restore the pride we should feel in our beautiful state, then I’m your gal."
Ryan Fazio
Q: Erin Stewart has attacked you as being part of the 'Greenwich Uniparty', and not understanding the concerns in the rest of the state. How do you respond to that?
A: "I’m not even sure what people mean when they say that, and frankly most voters don’t either.
Governor Lamont filmed television ads in my last Senate race trying to defeat me, and I still won. He raised taxes by nearly $1 billion. I am running to cut taxes on the middle class by more than $1 billion. He supports the public benefits charge on our electric bills. I am running to eliminate it. He made Connecticut a sanctuary state for convicted criminals. I am running to repeal the Trust Act and keep violent offenders off our streets.
Those differences are crystal clear. One of my Republican rivals raised taxes while serving as mayor, which is essentially a continuation of Governor Lamont’s approach. I believe people in Connecticut want a real change in direction to make our state more affordable, and I am the only candidate with a proven record of supporting and delivering that kind of change."
Q: What specifically would you point from your record in the legislature as a reason to vote for you?
A: "In my three terms in the legislature, I have helped pass seven new laws despite serving in the minority party.
I have focused on legislation that reduces the cost of government. I co-authored a law that limits utilities’ ability to charge consumers for the costs of influence peddling and executive travel while strengthening oversight. I also co-authored a law to improve birth control access for women. I have authored additional laws that make it easier for workers without college degrees to find employment, help charities raise money, and give towns more authority to make decisions through their own town charters.
Throughout my five years in the Senate, I have stood firmly against high taxes, overreach, and excessive red tape while also working to pass practical laws that lower costs for Connecticut residents."
Timothy Wilcox
Q: As of now, you are the only candidate from Eastern Connecticut, which has not elected a governor for many decades. What strengths do you think this unique perspective grants you?
A: "Look at the facts people elected to office who have political background enrich themselves off the Taxpayers people who have no political background come in and in rich themselves people who have no political experience help the people not steal the taxpayers money.”
Q: Online, your campaign is the most vocally pro-Trump compared to your opponents. In the past, MAGA candidates such as Leora Levy or Linda McMahon have not fared well in statewide elections. Why do you think you will be more electable than they were?
A: “Trump will go Down as the best president in History and you have seen Ronald Reagan had no political background he became the president one of the best Trump had no political experience he is a Great Leader”
The state parties will meet in the summer, where delegates chosen by each town's Republican Town Committee (RTC) or Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will vote on their choices for governor. If a candidate gets 20% or more of the vote, or if they file a petition and get enough signatures, they can force a primary election held in September. Election Day will be on November 3rd, 2026.
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