Erin Stewart will not seek re-election in New Britain, edges closer to run for governor.

Erin Stewart disclosed her political ambitions to WTNH’s Dennis House. She will not seek a seventh two-year term as mayor of New Britain and is moving closer to a second bid for governor.

Stewart performed the rare feat of maintaining her popularity in Democratic New Britain in six elections, sometimes carrying the rest of the Republican ticket into office with her. Stewart made her formal announcement that should would not seek re-election in 2025 in a video posted on social media.

Stewart made a run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018. It failed to strike a chord with Republican donors and convention delegates. On the eve of the party’s nominating convention she switched to the contest for lieutenant governor snd qualified for the August primary. Stewart managed only a distant second in the three candidate race, running 15% behind Southington Republican Joe Markley, the party-endorsed candidate.

Bob Stefanowski, the Republican nominee for governor in 2018 and 2022, gave serious consideration to selecting Stewart as his running mate two years ago. He chose Fairfield Republican Laura Devlin for the second spot on his losing ticket.

Published September 24, 2024.