Stewart Suspends Campaign For Governor Amid Probe Into Credit Card Use

Republican Erin Stewart announced Thursday she is immediately suspending her campaign for state Governor.

The announcement comes amid scrutiny about Stewart’s credit card use while she served as mayor of New Britain.

State police on Thursday confirmed a formal investigation is underway.

“The continued allegations from New Britain City Hall have understandably taken over this race and diverted attention away from the critical mission of saving our state from high taxes, high costs, the most expensive energy in America, and low opportunity for young people,” Stewart said, in the announcement.

Stewart said she takes the allegations against her very seriously, and she is suspending her campaign so she can focus on addressing those claims.

“Yesterday I requested copies of the relevant documents and I will be reviewing them carefully,” she said. “I will take accountability for any mistakes, and I intend to make full and complete restitution to the City of New Britain - my home - for anything that I owe.”

Stewart called it a “difficult” decision to suspend her campaign, and she expressed confidence she would have been able to defeat incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont in November.

According to Stewart, she is now supporting Sen. Ryan Fazio, who is seeking to secure the Republican party’s nomination to run for Governor.

“This is the time for our party to come together and spend the next six months focused squarely on electing Republicans up and down the ballot,” Stewart said. “It is my intention not only to suspend my campaign but also to step back from public life as I do what is necessary to address these questions and make things right.”

“I cannot change the past, but I can make the next right decision - and this is it,” she added.

The Connecticut State Police on Thursday confirmed an investigation into Stewart’s city-issued credit card use.

WTNH reported that Stewart’s expense reports as New Britain mayor showed “multiple purchases made with a city-issued credit card to buy clothes, shoes, and cosmetics,” for example.

According to a state police spokesperson, the Division of Criminal Justice received a complaint, and the Connecticut State Police was subsequently asked to investigate.

The Central District Major Crime Squad has initiated an investigation into the matter, the spokesperson said.

“All publicly available documents are within the scope of the State Police investigation,” state police said.

Police declined to comment further.