Lesser puts his oar in Republican contest for governor, backs Stewart.
State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) has many diversions. He added one more Saturday: advising Republicans on their choices for the 2026 gubernatorial nomination.
Lesser wants Republicans to nominate Erin Stewart, New Britain’s six-term mayor, as the party’s candidate for mayor. State Senator Rob Sampson (R-Southington) has alarmed Lesser by mildly hinting he may run for governor because Sampson is “a conservative Trump supporter.” Sampson’s endurance on the Senate during debates may have caused Lesser and some of his colleagues to conclude that the Republican floor leader tanked their bills. A more likely explanation is that Democratic leaders were happy to have Sampson take the blame.
Lesser may not be paying close attention to the Republican contest as it forms. Stewart is exploring a candidacy for governor and is making headway on the formidable task of raising $350,000 in small contributions to qualify for Connecticut’s generous public financing program. She announced last month that she expects to win President Donald Trump’s endorsement–“and it will be great.” Stewart was at the White House this spring when Trump announced the nation’s energy demands will include mining and burning more coal. She was pleased–and also embraced Trump’s trade war on America’s allies.
Trump’s late cellphone intervention in the 2022 Republican primary for U.S. Senate boosted Leora Levy to a decisive win over party-endorsed candidate Themis Klarides.
Sampson is not expected to enter the contest for governor, but the prospect allowed Lesser, whose 2022 campaign for secretary of the state came to grief in a memorable three-ballot convention brawl, to offer Republicans advice on their convention next year. Lesser declined to advance to a primary against Thomas.
Lesser’s pique with Sampson may have caused him to overlook the tussles Stewart has had with New Britain’s council, which this term has a 10-5 Democratic majority. Those 10 Democrats may dissent from Lesser’s view of Stewart. Other Democrats may not welcome Lesser’s speculation that Stewart could defeat Governor Ned Lamont, should he seek a third term.
On Monday, Stewart, who possesses an eye for optics– announced she had–from her orderly desk–vetoed the budget passed by the council, including a dramatic photograph as a reminder that leading can be a lonely job.
Published June 9, 2025.
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