Fazio Wins First Ballot, Blocks Primary as McCaughey Withdraws

The Republican Nomination of Sen. Ryan Fazio

After the unexpected departure of the initial frontrunner, state Republicans overwhelmingly nominated Sen. Ryan Fazio on Saturday to challenge Gov. Ned Lamont in a contest between two prominent Greenwich political figures. Fazio secured the nomination on the first ballot, avoiding an August primary against former New York Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey, who had repeatedly pledged to meet the 15% delegate support threshold to force a primary.

Fazio's victory was decisive, with 92% of the delegates voting for him and only 8% supporting McCaughey. After the first round of balloting, McCaughey conceded, vowing to campaign for Fazio. With her withdrawal, the delegates then unanimously endorsed Fazio in a voice vote.

In his victory speech, Fazio emphasized his commitment to the middle class, stating, “As governor, I’ll deliver the largest middle-class tax cut in state history. We will deliver historic property tax reform. We will eliminate every hidden tax on your electric bill and reduce your electric bill by 20%.”

A Smooth Transition

The Republican Party and its delegates were taken aback by the sudden exit of Erin Stewart, the former mayor of New Britain, who withdrew from the race amid a political controversy involving over $200,000 in city credit card charges. Stewart claimed she had more than 600 of the 1,050 eligible delegates and urged them all to support Fazio.

Stewart’s campaign manager, John Healey, noted that her delegates had switched to Fazio, despite concerns about potential protest votes. Healey observed the convention and watched as Fazio’s votes were displayed on a large screen. He stated, “This race has always been about nominating the most effective candidate and the most effective warrior against Ned Lamont.”

Democratic Primary Battle

On the Democratic side, Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to face a primary challenge from state Rep. Josh Elliott, who expressed confidence in reaching the 15% threshold. McCaughey, who had aimed to force a primary, described Fazio as “my fine rival, the next governor of the state of Connecticut” in her concession speech.

McCaughey hinted at a possible future campaign, saying, “I love campaigning, and I enjoyed every single night on the campaign trail.” She added that she had visited 79 towns in a short period of time and was not ruling out running again.

Strong Support Across the State

Fazio’s campaign received significant support across Connecticut, particularly in the five Congressional districts. In the 5th District, he captured 91.6% of the delegates, while McCaughey had 8.4%. Towns such as Simsbury, Southbury, Thomaston, Washington, Watertown, and Wolcott supported Fazio.

In the 1st District, Fazio won all 17 votes from Southington and unanimous support from West Hartford and Wethersfield. Other towns with unanimous support included Madison, East Lyme, North Stonington, Stafford, Suffield, Thompson, Tolland, Prospect, Seymour, and Stratford.

Lieutenant Governor Race

With Fazio not choosing a running mate, two Republicans competed for the lieutenant governor position. Matt Corey of Manchester initially led, but Tim Ackert of Coventry withdrew after the voting, calling for unity. Corey, a long-time candidate, emphasized the importance of a working lieutenant governor’s office.

Ackert, an Air Force veteran and successful local politician, had previously served in the state legislature. His nomination was seconded by Mary Ann Turner of Enfield, a Republican stalwart who praised President Donald Trump.

Erin Stewart’s Departure

Stewart’s withdrawal stunned some delegates, including Joe Shilinga, an 82-year-old Republican stalwart who believed she had a 50-50 chance of defeating Lamont. Shilinga described Stewart as a moderate Republican who could attract votes from both parties.

However, some critics questioned whether Stewart’s style would translate statewide. State Rep. Tammy Nuccio noted that having Stewart on the ticket might make it difficult for Republicans to address Democratic scandals.

Betsy McCaughey’s Impact

McCaughey, known for her policy expertise, has frequently appeared on national television. She has advocated for eliminating the state income tax, a goal that has eluded politicians for decades. Her entrance into the race shook up the contest, adding an unpredictable element to the race.

McCaughey has a long history of political involvement, including serving as New York’s lieutenant governor and being part of the team that defeated Democrat Mario Cuomo in 1994. She has also maintained ties with Donald Trump, attending his wedding to Wilbur Ross in 1995.

Unity and Moving Forward

State Republican chairman Ben Proto concluded the convention with a call for unity, emphasizing that the party would move forward without a statewide primary. “Folks, on to November,” Proto said, urging delegates to focus on defeating Democrats.

As Fazio prepares for the general election, he is set to receive over $15 million in public financing, marking the beginning of a new phase in his campaign.