The day of the Republican race for LG continues with Tim Ackert preparing to enter the ring.

The competition for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor may not garner more singular attention than it is today. Hours after Matt Corey stole a lead with the shrewdly timed announcement of endorsements from members of House Republican caucus members on a session day, state Representative Tim Ackert (R-Coventry) told colleagues he will challenge Corey at next month’s Republican nominating convention.

Ackert is serving his eighth term from the Eighth House District. He serves as Deputy Republican Leader-at-Large.

Ackert could use this evening’s annual Coventry Republican dinner to make a formal announcement among friends and well-wishers. Ackert will need to rely on fellow Republican House members who have not endorsed Corey to round up delegate votes in the next five fraught weeks before the delegates gather.

Ackert has been spoken of as a running mate for Erin Stewart, the former new Britain mayor making her third run for statewide office. Stewart circa 2018 does present a cautionary tale for lieutenant governor hopefuls. Days after endorsing gubernatorial hopeful Steve Obsitnik, Greenwich first selectman Peter Tesei joined Stewart, then running for governor, as her running mate. Stewart has since adopted a scathing tone when speaking of Greenwich. Not long after unveiling Tesei as her running mate, Stewart dropped out of the crowded race for the Republican nomination for governor and announced she would seek the party’s nomination for lieutenant governor. Tesei abandoned his brief campaign for the office.

A competitive contest for a party’s nomination for governor, and the Republicans are in one, brings in a season of treachery through the close of the party convention. Betrayal peaks during the switching portion of the state convention roll calls. The air is filled with the sound of birds crowing–often three times. Listen for it.

Published April 8, 2026.