Governor

Stewart Under Financial Pressure for Lieutenant Governor

Stewart needs to raise $75,000 through small donors in order to qualify for the Citizens Election Program

What to Know

  • Stewart needs to raise $75,000 through small donors in order to qualify for the Citizens Election Program, but she is $15,000 short.
  • She had started a committee to run for governor, but state law prohibits transferring those donations to her lieutenant governor bid.
  • Stewart says money is important, but believes going door to door between Monday and August 14 is what’s going to determine the election.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart acknowledges she has a tough road ahead this week as she pursues a public financing grant worth more than $400,000.

She’s currently about $15,000 short, by her estimation, but says she can reach that goal by midnight Friday.

“We’re going to get there,” Stewart said during a tour of businesses in Downtown Manchester. “Oh, I’m determined and we are getting this money.”

Stewart needs to raise $75,000 through small donors in order to qualify for the Citizens Election Program. She had started a committee to run for governor, but state law prohibits transferring those donations to another race.

That hurdle, Stewart says, set her back.

“No candidate has had to start from scratch like this. We’ve made incredible progress since Labor Day.”

Her run for lieutenant governor, she says, could be what puts the GOP gubernatorial nominee over the top.

She says even though she brandishes solid conservative credentials, the fact that she has run the city of New Britain and is a young female should be reasons independent voters turn to her in the fall. Those are points she doesn’t like to say too often on the campaign trail, hoping they are apparent.

“I think it speaks for itself. I don’t have to say that to individuals without them drawing their own conclusion and them saying it first, so I let them draw their own conclusion.”

Stewart says money is important, especially in the digital, but adds that going door to door between Monday and August 14 is what’s going to determine the outcome.

“What I’m standing here doing right now is going to make the difference. Being out in communities, being seen, letting people know who I am and we’re campaigning and campaigning hard for this. If we don’t get there, it’s not the end of the world, but we’re getting there.”

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