Who is Ryan Fazio and what is Fazio running on in the 2026 Connecticut Governor race?

Ryan Fazio is the Republican candidate for Connecticut governor. Republican state senator from Greenwich. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Democrat Ned Lamont seeking a third term.
• Rating: Safe/Solid D (characterized as a safe hold).
• Polling: Lamont 49.7, Fazio 29.5 (Sacred Heart University/WFSB/CT Insider, July 21 to 26, 2026, 1,000 RV).

Why Fazio is behind

• A roughly 20-point lead in the July Sacred Heart poll, with Lamont’s job approval at 50.6%.
• Connecticut has not elected a Republican governor since Jodi Rell in 2010.
• Lamont runs on fiscal stability (eight balanced budgets in a row) and holds a ~$9.9M fundraising edge.
• Fazio’s opening is cost of living: 29.4% name it the top issue and 41.9% say the economy has worsened, but he still trails badly.

What Fazio is running on

• Affordability / energy. Wants to cut government spending and lower electricity rates, including taking public-benefit charges off utility bills and increasing energy supply.
• Housing. Wants to make it much easier for property owners to build accessory dwelling units.
• Immigration. Takes a hard line and criticizes Lamont’s Trust Act, framing it as a public-safety issue.

In Fazio’s own words

“This is going to be a competitive race, everybody knows it, but the only poll that matters to me is when voters go to the ballot box.”

“I believe in common sense, I believe in public safety”

The other candidates

• Ned Lamont (D)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.