Former New York Lieutenant Governor Floats CT Governor Run at Norwalk GOP Meeting

NORWALK, Conn. — Betsy McCaughey, who served under former New York Gov. George Pataki, told Norwalk Republicans Tuesday night that she is considering a run for governor of Connecticut, delivering a wide-ranging speech that focused on property taxes, housing policy, energy costs, and election administration.

McCaughey, who contributes to a program on Newsmax, addressed members of the Norwalk Republican Town Committee (RTC) during a meeting following the party’s caucus. Party leaders said it was the first local Republican committee she had spoken to as she explores a potential gubernatorial campaign.

“We’re all together for one reason, and that is to win in November,” McCaughey said, calling on Republicans to focus on issues she said resonate broadly with voters, particularly home ownership and property taxes.

McCaughey sharply criticized Gov. Ned Lamont and Democratic lawmakers, arguing that recent state housing policies threaten single-family neighborhoods and will drive property taxes higher. She said she would seek to block implementation of the state’s housing law if elected and called for a cap on annual property tax increases.

She also addressed electric rates, blaming state energy policy and offshore wind development for high costs, and said she would pursue lower-cost energy sources if elected.

During a question-and-answer session, McCaughey made repeated claims about election administration, criticizing mail-in voting and voting drop boxes and raising concerns about voting machines. She said she would seek to overhaul Connecticut’s election system if elected and stated she would not concede an election on election night.

“I will not concede on election night,” she said. “Oh no, we’re going to fight for every vote we’ve already earned.”

McCaughey also outlined positions on health care, calling for expanded access to catastrophic insurance plans and criticizing aspects of the Affordable Care Act, which she said have driven up costs and reduced coverage options.

Norwalk Republican leaders said McCaughey is one of several potential candidates expected to address the committee in the coming months. Party officials said state Sen. Ryan Fazio and former mayor Erin Stewart are also scheduled to appear at future meetings.

The Republican caucus earlier in the evening formally seated RTC members for the 2026 term and adopted party rules before transitioning into the regular committee meeting.