2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Ned Lamont currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Fiscal discipline — he has presided over an unprecedented run of budget surpluses and signed a major income tax cut.
Managing the state day to day: 'We're fighting Trump where we've got to fight him... more importantly... we got to manage the state every day.'
Defending Connecticut's policy limiting state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, which his administration describes as protecting all residents' access to services rather than shielding people from prosecution.
Continuing investment in transportation and housing.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Governor of Connecticut since January 2019; re-elected in 2022.
Cable television entrepreneur; won the 2006 Democratic U.S. Senate primary against Joe Lieberman before losing the general election.
Guided the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presided over an unprecedented string of budget surpluses and signed a major income tax cut.
Won the August 11 2026 Democratic primary over state Representative Josh Elliott with about two-thirds of the vote.
Also carries the Independent Party of Connecticut cross-endorsement line.
Arguments in favor
Two terms of budget surpluses and a major income tax cut, delivered without the fiscal crises that defined Connecticut before him.
— Lamont for Connecticut campaign
'We're fighting Trump where we've got to fight him... more importantly... we got to manage the state every day' — his case is competent administration rather than confrontation for its own sake.
— Ned Lamont, on primary night
He held off a progressive primary challenge with about two-thirds of the vote, and the challenger himself acknowledged the incumbent is 'generally well liked.'
— Josh Elliott, his Democratic primary opponent
Arguments against
'You are what your record says. Two terms is enough. Connecticut families are hurting under the high cost of living.'
— Ryan Fazio, Republican nominee
After two terms of his governorship and large Democratic majorities, Connecticut has among the highest electric bills and taxes in the country and one of the slowest rates of economic growth. A CT Insider fact-check found the electric rate and economic growth claims broadly supported but rated the tax ranking contradicted by a General Assembly study placing Connecticut near the median for the Northeast.
— Ryan Fazio, Republican nominee
He has not gone far enough on housing, health care costs and taxing high earners — the case a progressive challenger took to a primary against him.
— Josh Elliott, Democratic state representative and primary challenger
What we couldn’t verify
His official campaign website could not be verified, so no URL is listed.
His specific third-term agenda beyond continuing current policy.
His campaign finance totals were not located; he has largely self-funded past campaigns.
His position on the public benefits charge on electric bills, which his opponent has made central.
Cutting electric rates by about 20% by eliminating the public benefits charge on utility bills.
Reducing the average family's state income taxes by about $1,500.
Capping annual property tax increases.
Increasing support for law enforcement.
Ending what he calls 'sanctuary for criminals' — Connecticut's limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Lamont administration says the policy protects all residents' access to services rather than shielding people from prosecution.
Housing and transportation policy aimed at affordability.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Connecticut state senator representing Greenwich and surrounding towns, in his third term.
The legislature's leading critic of the public benefits charge on electric bills, and co-author of the first significant cut to those costs.
Won about 92% of delegate votes at the May 16 2026 Republican convention, which cancelled the primary.
A CT Insider fact-check found that of nine bills he introduced in the most recent session, none got out of committee.
Connecticut has among the highest electricity rates in the country, a position dating to the 1998 restructuring of the industry.
Arguments in favor
He is the legislature's leading critic of the public benefits charge and co-authored the first significant cut to it — and would go further, cutting electric rates by about 20%.
— Ryan Fazio for Governor campaign
His plan puts numbers on affordability: roughly $1,500 off the average family's income tax bill and a cap on annual property tax increases.
— Ryan Fazio for Governor campaign
'Two terms is enough' — after two terms and large Democratic majorities, Connecticut still has among the highest electric bills in the country and one of the weakest growth rates.
— Ryan Fazio, Republican nominee
Arguments against
His claim that Connecticut has the third-highest taxes in the country is contradicted by a General Assembly study finding the state about at the median compared with other Northeast states and California.
— CT Insider fact-check by Ken Dixon
His claim to have passed more than half a dozen cost-cutting laws is subjective at best: of the nine bills he introduced in the most recent session, none made it out of committee.
— CT Insider fact-check by Ken Dixon
His 'sanctuary for criminals' framing misrepresents the policy, which protects all residents' safety in accessing services rather than harbouring people from prosecution.
— Governor Ned Lamont and state officials
What we couldn’t verify
How eliminating the public benefits charge would affect the programmes it funds, including low-income energy assistance.
How a $1,500 average income tax cut would be paid for.
His positions on abortion and gun policy could not be established from a source read directly.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Democratic incumbent Ned Lamont is seeking a third term. Roster established from Wikipedia's race page, Ballotpedia, Connecticut Public, CT Mirror, CT News Junkie and the Washington Post, cross-checked. In the August 11 2026 Democratic primary, Lamont beat progressive state Representative Josh Elliott with about two-thirds of the vote (one account puts it at 68%). The Republican primary was cancelled because state Senator Ryan Fazio of Greenwich was unopposed after winning about 92% of delegates at the May 16 convention. Connecticut elects governor and lieutenant governor as a joint ticket: Lamont runs with Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Fazio with Matthew Corey. Connecticut uses cross-endorsement, and Lamont also carries the Independent Party of Connecticut line. No other candidate for governor was found on the general election ballot, though this could not be confirmed against a certified list.
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