Could a 1990s-born politician become Connecticut's first governor from that decade?
In short: Ryan Fazio is making history in Connecticut politics. A Republican state senator and former commodities professional, he has rapidly ascended from a special election victory to becoming the party's nominee for governor, potentially making him the first person born in the 1990s to hold the office.
Ryan Michael Fazio, born March 27, 1990, has emerged as a central figure in Connecticut's political landscape. After graduating from Northwestern University in 2012, he built a career in the commodities industry, focusing on agriculture and renewable fuels. His political ascent began in earnest on August 17, 2021, when he won a special election for the 36th district, a victory that effectively ended the Democratic supermajority in the State Senate. Before entering the state legislature, he served on the Greenwich representative town meeting. He is of Italian descent and grew up in Greenwich.
Fazio's legislative focus has frequently centered on fiscal conservatism and utility regulation. As Ranking Senator of the Energy & Technology Committee, he has been a vocal critic of the 'Public Benefits' category on utility bills, which includes subsidies for solar power and electric vehicle chargers. While he originally proposed eliminating these costs—estimated at roughly $1 billion—he co-authored SB4 in 2025, which successfully cut over $100 million per year from these charges. He has additionally supported increasing the capacity of natural gas pipelines originating in the Marcellus shale area. Additionally, he has supported better regulatory treatment for nuclear power.
His 2026 gubernatorial campaign has been marked by significant momentum. After securing the Republican endorsement at the Mohegan Sun Casino on May 16, 2026, with approximately 92% of the delegate vote, Fazio is set to face Democratic incumbent Governor Ned Lamont on November 3, 2026. He will run alongside lieutenant governor candidate Matthew Corey, a Navy veteran and small businessman. Fazio's campaign has notably crossed the $250,000 public financing threshold at the fastest rate in the state's history. His campaign follows the suspension of former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart's bid. He secured the party's nomination after winning the first ballot at the convention.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Ryan Fazio
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