1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker has suspended her campaign for governor.
In a statement this morning, the Republican candidate said:
I entered this race to be the next governor of Connecticut as a true outsider who feels the call to serve the state I love, knowing that this amazing state is in desperate need of a course correction.
However, after very serious thought and deliberation, it has become clear to me that the voters need more time to get to know me, and I need more time to get to know them. That is why today, I am announcing that I am suspending my candidacy for governor.
Jen Tooker
The state of Connecticut has major issues that voters are rightfully begging our leaders to address. Whether it is tackling the affordability crisis, reviving our state’s sluggish economy, or making our state government more accountable, my vision has always been about creating a stronger Connecticut for all who live here.
At a time when politics has us feeling more divided than ever, I stepped up with an agenda that everyone in our state, no matter your political affiliation, can feel included in. But with one party having total control over Hartford for much of the past decade, there has been little incentive for leaders to set aside partisanship and work across the aisle in search of practical long-term solutions.
I ran for Governor to change that, because significant progress for Connecticut will require a leader who is committed to seeking bipartisan cooperation in pursuit of what is in the best interest of the people of this state.
While not always at the forefront of our political discourse – yet just as important to the overall prosperity of our state – is the need to greatly enhance our K-12 education system to prepare each and every one of our students for the jobs and industries of tomorrow.
Students in Connecticut should feel they have boundless opportunities available to them upon graduation to live, work, and thrive here. We can and must do better to ensure that economic prosperity is abundant regardless of the zip code in which you reside. I remain committed to working on real solutions to achieve this goal.
My belief in our state’s potential has only strengthened from this experience. I still possess the heart and desire to serve the people of Connecticut. As I close down this gubernatorial campaign over the next few weeks, adhering to SEEC guidelines, I will be actively exploring other avenues in which my name can remain on the ballot in November of 2026.
Republican State Senator Ryan Fazio of Greenwich is also in the governor’s race. New Britain mayor Erin Steward and Fairfield attorney Peter Lumaj are considering runs.
Democratic Governor Ned Lamont has given strong indications that he will run for a third term.
One party rule is truly horrible for this State. At the Federal level we also have zero Republican representatives, while the democrats howl about ‘gerrymandering’ in Texas or elsewhere with little hypocrisy and self-reflection. God bless Connecticut.
What on earth are you talking about? TX is changing districts to ensure one party continues to rule – which, if not for changing voting districts, they’d have to run on ideas and actual leadership… what a thought! Meanwhile, in CT, one party dominates because the overall consensus is that the Democratic Party offers more than the current GOP. But your argument is proven false by Tooker herself, who – like many others – have shown that a primarily liberal leaning town, will elect those with the best ideas, regardless of party. Something Texas is unwilling to risk.
Gerrymandering isn’t unique to Texas, it happens in blue states too, and both parties have used it when in power. Pointing fingers at one state while ignoring the broader issue doesn’t move the conversation forward. The reality is, voters everywhere deserve fair districts and real competition of ideas, not maps drawn to lock in one side’s advantage. Tooker winning in a liberal town doesn’t erase the fact that district manipulation is a national problem, not just a Texas one.
I don’t disagree w you that it’s a broader issue but democrats have repeatedly tried to pass anti-gerrymandering laws and, guess who, has continually shot them down. So, while your general comment isn’t incorrect, gerrymandering is one of the pillars of the modern day GOP.
It’s true Republicans have blocked federal reforms, but it’s also true Democrats in states like Illinois, Maryland, and New York have taken full advantage of gerrymandering when it benefits them. Both sides exploit the system when they can, which is exactly why it keeps happening. If ending gerrymandering were truly a shared priority, we’d see more leaders willing to give up the advantage in their own states, not just point fingers at the other side.
I get that you are lying in order to attempt to make a false point but, for instance, the California contingency plan for redistricting only (potentially) happens if the Republican plan in Texas goes through.
Republicans like you don’t care about the democracy in the slightest, you just care about control.
It was in North Carolina, which is a 50/50 red/blue state that the Republicans gerrymandered a 10-3 congressional district majority (and removed the state board of elections, to put it under GOP control). State Rep (R) Daniel Lewis was asked about why an evenly split state would have a 10-3 majority in Congress, and he said, “because we couldn’t make it 11-2.” That’s Republican democracy for you.
You’re assuming a lot about me and for the record, I never said I was a Republican. Pointing out that both parties gerrymander isn’t lying, it’s stating a fact. Democrats have done it in Illinois, Maryland, and New York just like Republicans have in Texas and North Carolina. The hypocrisy is pretending it’s only a Republican issue while ignoring it when your side does the same thing and calls it ‘protecting democracy.’ Gerrymandering is a power grab no matter who’s doing it, and acting outraged only when it benefits the other party shows you’re defending control, not democracy.
Hi Philip,
Are you related to Ernest and Julio Gallo? Jack Backiel and I used to cut class at Staples, hot foot it to the NY state line (in Vista) buy a gallon jug of their Ripple wine (killer hangover) and split it before the Staples undercover truant officers (predecessors to ICE) knew we were gone. Jack is a lot older than me, I know, but as I recall it took him 15 years to complete the 12th grade.
Probably the best decision this woman has ever made.
Hi Roxanne (you don’t have to turn out the red light),
As the Chinese fortune cookie says: “be careful what you wish for.” Rumor has it that Jen has decided to run for reelection. It all depends on Foti returning to the Jesup Green police outpost to man the barricades and confiscate the oppositions smartphones. That assumes that Dan (Woog, not Katz) decides to sit tight, continue publishing the only blogworthy game in town and bide his time until Jen goes to Hartford.
Philip- this has nothing to do with gerrymandering and everything to do with voter choice. CT voters don’t want the brand of republicanism that MAGA is selling – thank God.
If a tree falls in the forest and there is nobody there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Nope Chris.
This is a soundless universe. The only “sound” wave is inside your head. Shhhh🇺🇸
She is wildly unpopular and saved herself the embarrassment of losing a reelection race by declaring for governor, where she peaked at 3% in polling of Republican voters, before dropping out.
The irony of her doing this to avoid embarrassment is that her effort was rather embarrassing.
Yeah!! Lamont!
that’s too bad, hopefully this becomes prep, a real foundation for her to run again when Lamont doesn’t run; if Lamont wasn’t running again she could have won.
And, Lamont is a very solid, reliable good governor; Biden Admin really limited/railroaded what good public office holders of all political parties wanted to do and could have done for their USA constituents, i.e., without the ‘odd prioritisation’ of the White House, Congress and Senate under Biden Admin, (Pelosi and Schumer) to work with/around Lamont can do even better for CT.
Ms Tooker wants an opportunity to make “government more accountable”, something she needs to learn to do after the Westport Community Garden fiasco. Maybe we’ll see a greater sensitivity in the future.
Finally, a good decision!
WE WANT WOOG!!!!
ditto
I have no skin in the game as far as Connecticut politics, however, ERIC(167 I.Q.) BUCHROEDER SHS ‘70, has a better chance of marrying Taylor Swift next week than Jen Tooker becoming Governor!
Hi Jack,
Only if I move to Utah (where polygamy is legal, but rare). Actually, Taylor and I prefer to keep our “relationship” consensual (as well as sensual). So don’t hold your breath, no wedding is planned. But like Jen Tooker likes to say: “You never know.”
Thank goodness a Westport candidate for Governor of the State of Connecticut who is not willing to publicly condemn the daily assault on Americans’ Civil Rights (and our Democracy itself) FINALLY withdraws from the election…
The United States of America today feels earily similar to the Germany (soon to be Nazi Germany) in the 1930’s.
My maternal family was forced to decide whether to flee Germany and leave everything behind, or stay and be murdered.
NEVER AGAIN !
This is the time for all American patriots to stand up and fight the wave of Fascism before it sweeps over our country and our civil rights are erased.
TWJ
The American people will not be intimidated or silenced by the threats of bullys or bigots! Stand tall! Stand proud!
Jen tooker is a Smart woman and a strong candidate. She’d bring the conversation back to the middle where it belongs. Also, she’s done an excellent job running this town. It’s a shame she dropped out
Thank you Stephen. Along with my good friends Chris Grimm, John M, Toni S, and Ciara W, we support our 1st Select Jen T in making CT relevant again in her future endeavors.