UNCASVILLE (WTIC News) – As the Republican Party of Connecticut turns the page from the sudden downfall of Erin Stewart, the frontrunner for its nomination for Governor just a few days ago, state Sen. Ryan Fazio, 36, became the party's nominee to face two-term incumbent Ned Lamont.
Former New York Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey, 77, dropped out of the race Saturday morning at the party convention, as it became apparent she wouldn't receive the 15% of delegate votes to qualify for a primary.
Neither referenced Stewart in their Friday night pitches to Republican delegates, as both made it clear they’ll spare no criticism in cutting down Democrat Ned Lamont, who’s seeking a third term as governor.
“This governor has undermined law enforcement, taken away local control from our communities and eroded personal freedoms in this great state at every turn,” said Fazio. “They have failed our state. They have broken their promises. And now, it’s time for change.”
McCaughey reminded delegates that she was part of the team that took out powerful Democratic governor Mario Cuomo in New York—32 years ago.
“I’m gonna whip him from one end of the state to another,” said McCaughey. “I ask for your vote. What do you have to lose?
By Saturday morning, the bombastic Newsmax host was out of the race.
Stewart, the former mayor of New Britain, suspended her campaign Thursday, after an investigation found that she charged more than $207 thousand in personal items to a city credit card while in office.
The dramatic shift in the governor’s race was impossible to ignore at the state Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun.
”Clearly, Mayor Stewart had a remarkable following,” said state Sen. Eric Berthel, “and I don’t think that we should easily dismiss that and just throw it away.”
Delegate Ken Zachem, a selectman in Prospect, said Stewart should have known she’d be caught, saying, “It’s a shock, because, how do you expect, in this day and age with computers and everything, to get away with that kind of money? You should be more controlled in what you’re doing if you really want higher offices.”
There will be at least three Republican primaries for U.S. House nominations as the party tries to break through. All five seats from Connecticut are held by Democrats.
Republicans believe they have their best shot in the Fifth District, where delegates endorsed former Navy SEAL Chris Shea of Cheshire. He’ll be targeting four-term Rep. Jahana Hayes.
“The economy and things like that, we’ll be at the mercy of that,” said Shea. “But I think we’re in a good position. I think people are tired of do-nothing, left-leaning politicians. The Fifth is the most right-leaning district in the state and it has the most left by her voting record person representing them. It’s not right.”
First, Shea will face a primary against Jonathan De Barros of Waterbury, who’s been critical of the state’s Republican establishment.
Coast Guard veteran Chris Lancia of Milford and former Bridgeport city councilor Rafael Irizarry of Stratford will compete in a primary to challenge longtime Rep. Rosa DeLauro in the Third District.
Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of the Fourth District will face Republican-endorsed candidate Dr. Michael Goldstein of Greenwich or former minor league hockey player Daniel Miressi of Norwalk. Goldstein has lost to Himes twice, and Miressi lost to state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff in 2022.
Dr. Amy Chai of Prospect clinched the Republican congressional nomination in the Hartford-based First District. She’ll face Democratic-endorsed candidate Luke Bronin or 14-term incumbent John Larson in November.
George Austin of Suffield is the nominee in the largely rural Second District, where he’ll take on longtime Rep. Joe Courtney.
“We gotta get back to basics: family, freedom and the future,” said Austin. “There’s something in there for everyone.”
Saturday morning, delegates were choosing between state Rep. Tim Ackert and longtime candidate Matthew Corey for lieutenant governor.
For the state’s other constitutional offices, Republicans nominated former state rep Fred Wilms for Treasurer, Jen Tooker of Westport for Comptroller, Peter Lumaj for Secretary of the State and John Bolton of Westport for Attorney General.
