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.