Ryan Fazio forms exploratory committee for likely run for governor.

State Senator Ryan Fazio filed an exploratory committee for statewide office Friday. The third term Greenwich Republican sounds, like most candidates exploring a race, ready for the challenges ahead but wants to be certain and prepared when he launches.

He has, he told Daily Ructions, received considerable encouragement to make the race.

The Greenwich High School graduate is 3 for 4 since 2020. He was defeated in a competitive race for the 36th Senate District race in 2020 by incumbent Democrat Alex Kasser, formerly Bergstein. She abandoned the seat in 2021. Fazio won the special election to replace her that summer. He was re-elected in 2022 and 2024. The district includes Greenwich, New Canaan, and part of Stamford.

Fazio is popular among the handful of other Senate Republicans, whose endless machinations have provided a useful education on the frustrations of being in office but not in power.

Fazio has been acknowledged by both Republicans and Democrats as an important voice in energy policy even as his Democratic colleagues discard their authority in favor of the puppetry skills of PURA chair Marissa Gillett.

Erin Stewart, out going Republican mayor of New Britain is also exploring a candidacy for governor.

Republicans have not elected a governor of Connecticut since 2006.

Published August 1, 2025.