By John Schwing

WESTPORT — After a single term as Westport’s chief executive, First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker has decided to move on, and instead of seeking re-election this year, will run for governor next year.

Tooker, whose tentative exploration of seeking the 2026 Republican gubernatorial nomination was revealed in January, made her plans to make the race official in a Monday afternoon statement.

“I’m running for governor to restore fiscal discipline, create an economy where businesses and workers thrive and make Connecticut a place where families can afford to stay, work and retire,” Tooker said in the statement.

Already facing competition

Tooker enters the field for the GOP nod where one contender already has declared her interest.

Erin Stewart, the 37-year-old mayor of New Britain, in late January launched an exploratory committee to start fundraising for a gubernatorial campaign.

Both Tooker and Stewart are considered “moderate” Republicans, an increasingly small faction of today’s Republican Party under the sway of recently re-elected President Donald Trump and his MAGA allies. 

Tooker, for instance, has been a firm supporter of TEAM Westport, the town’s multi-cultural and diversity committee, while such DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives have been slashed at the federal level since Trump and his appointees took office.

She also refused to support the Board of Education candidacy of outspoken conservative and fellow Republican Camilo Riano when he ran for the Board of Education in 2023.

The incumbent governor, Democrat Ned Lamont, has not yet announced whether he will seek a third term next year.

Majority Dems look to reclaim post

Tooker, elected first selectwoman in 2021, won in a squeaker over Democratic state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, 4,237 to 4,168. She succeeded fellow Republican Jim Marpe, having won a seat on the Board of Selectmen as his running mate in 2017. She previously was a member of the Boards of Education and Finance, the Conservation Commission and the Audit Subcommittee.

Her decision not to seek a second term this Nov. 4 scrambles the contest for Westport’s top job, with Democrats — who hold a strong advantage in enrolled party members — currently soliciting candidates for what will be an open seat.

Democrats currently hold the majority on all of the town’s elected boards, and are considered to have a strong bench of potential candidates for the first selectperson’s job.

Will non-politician “cop” GOP nod?

Republicans, however, may be looking outside the smaller ranks of their elected officials, with the name of Police Chief Foti Koskinas often rumored in political circles among potential GOP standard-bearers. The chief, whose contract ends Nov. 1, is currently a Fairfield resident.

The nomination scenarios for both major political parties will play out over the spring, with the parties required to endorse their candidates between July 15-22 under state election guidelines. Primaries to challenge any endorsed candidates would take place Sept. 9.

Tooker: “Incredible honor” to lead Westport

In announcing her plans to leave the Westport political scene behind, Tooker said in her statement, “It has been an incredible honor to be the leader of this amazing community. I have served in multiple elected roles for almost 14 years. We have achieved so much together for the town we all call home. 

“I am ready to bring my experience and commitment to Hartford to ensure a stronger future for our entire state,” she added.

Tooker previously had a 22-year career in the insurance business. In 2008, she settled in Westport, with her husband, Mo, an insurance exec she met at a Gen Re training session. They are the parents of three children.

Campaign priorities

Tooker cited several areas that will be the focus of her gubernatorial campaign, including:

Controlling state employee costs; lowering energy costs; making the state a better place to retire, and transforming state cities into tech hubs.

John Schwing, interim editor of the Westport Journal, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.