The young Republican mayor of New Britain laid down a marker for an expected 2026 campaign for governor with a relatively conventional pitch.

The 2026 race for Connecticut governor is on, and the first candidate is at the starting line. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart kicked off her exploratory campaign on Tuesday morning at her hometown’s City Hall.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart officially announced on Tuesday that she is exploring a run for Connecticut governor. On Monday, Stewart sat down with News 8 chief political anchor Dennis House for an exclusive interview,

New Britain Republican Mayor Erin Stewart says she’s a member of a working class she says has been “forgotten” by Connecticut Democrats.

Saying Connecticut is “stuck in neutral—more likely, we’re in a decline,” outgoing New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart announced that she’s officially exploring a run for governor in 2026.

The sixth-term mayor Erin Stewart, of New Britain, said last fall she will not seek a new term in 2025. Now she is likely to run for governor in Connecticut.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart made an announcement about her political future on Tuesday and says she has filed the paperwork to explore a run for governor of Connecticut. She filed paperwork last week that indicated she was considering a run for statewide office in the upcoming election.

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart announced Tuesday she has filed to explore a run for Connecticut governor in 2026, calling for "a new generation of leadership." Stewart recently filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission to form an exploratory committee and officially announced the filing Tuesday.

New Britain’s mayor officially announced on Tuesday she filed paperwork to explore a run for governor. Mayor Erin Stewart held a news conference at 10 a.m. to make the announcement. Reports said that the Republican filed paperwork with state election officials last week.