After 12 years as New Britain’s mayor, Erin Stewart declared Tuesday that she wants to run for governor — if enough people chip in to pay the costs.

Stewart has been the mayor of New Britain since 2013 and is the youngest in the town’s history. News 12 Connecticut's John Craven has the full story coming up at 4:30 p.m., plus reaction from Gov. Ned Lamont.

The 2026 race for Connecticut governor is on, and the first candidate is at the starting line. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart kicked off her exploratory campaign on Tuesday morning at her hometown’s City Hall.

New Britain’s mayor officially announced on Tuesday she filed paperwork to explore a run for governor. Mayor Erin Stewart held a news conference at 10 a.m. to make the announcement. Reports said that the Republican filed paperwork with state election officials last week.

In a News 8 exclusive, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart sat down with News 8's chief political anchor Dennis House to discuss the 2026 race for Connecticut governor.

New Britain Republican Mayor Erin Stewart says she’s a member of a working class she says has been “forgotten” by Connecticut Democrats.

Saying Connecticut is “stuck in neutral—more likely, we’re in a decline,” outgoing New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart announced that she’s officially exploring a run for governor in 2026.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart officially announced on Tuesday that she is exploring a run for Connecticut governor.