Sacred Heart University Poll Offers Insight On Voter Concerns In 2026 Governor's Race

FAIRFIELD, CT — Connecticut voters are focused on affordability as the state's 2026 gubernatorial election approaches, according to a new Sacred Heart University/WFSB/CT Insider Poll conducted in partnership with GreatBlue Research.

The survey of 1,000 registered Connecticut voters found that concerns about housing, energy costs and everyday expenses are shaping how many voters view the race for governor.

Subscribe

Overall, 71.1 percent of respondents rated their quality of life in Connecticut as good or very good. At the same time, 59 percent said they are having difficulty maintaining their current standard of living.

To view the poll, click here.

The poll found that 38 percent of respondents said their household finances are worse than a year ago, while 41.9 percent said Connecticut's economy has declined over the past year. Nearly one-quarter of voters, 23.7 percent, said they are at least somewhat unlikely to remain in the state over the next five years, with the high cost of living cited as the leading reason.

"The key issues mirror those that are on the minds of voters everywhere," Gary Rose, Sacred Heart University professor of politics and scholar in residence, said. "Those include the cost and availability of housing, property taxes, cost of living expenses, and energy costs. The bread-and-butter issues are the drivers of this, not philosophical theories of government."

Nearly three in 10 voters, or 29.4 percent, identified the cost of living and inflation as the most important issue in deciding their vote for governor. That was more than twice the percentage who selected taxes (12.9 percent), electricity and energy costs (10.8 percent) or jobs and the economy (10 percent).

The survey also found that 76.7 percent of respondents reported higher household energy costs over the past year, while 71.8 percent said their housing costs increased.

Housing affordability was a concern across party lines, with 70.1 percent of Democrats and 68.8 percent of Republicans saying housing costs would be among the most important issues influencing their vote for governor.

When asked what qualities they want in the next governor, respondents were most likely to select a candidate who could lower the cost of living for Connecticut families. Voters also favored reducing taxes, fees and other household expenses when asked how the next governor should respond to rising housing and energy costs.

The poll also included hypothetical matchups in the 2026 governor's race.

Among all registered voters, Gov. Ned Lamont led Republican Ryan Fazio, 49.7 percent to 29.5 percent. Democratic challenger Josh Elliott led Fazio, 44 percent to 29.6 percent.

Among Democratic primary voters, Lamont led Elliott, 57.3 percent to 21.8 percent. Among Republican voters, 77.3 percent supported Fazio as the party's nominee.

"The poll indicates that Governor Lamont is in a very strong position to win the August 11 Democratic primary, stronger than what some previous polls indicated," Rose said. "The generational gap is still very much evident with Lamont polling well among older voters and Elliott drawing his support from younger and more progressive Democrats. Fazio is just starting to introduce himself to voters, so his low numbers should be viewed as slightly premature. He has been under the radar because all of the media coverage has been focused on the forthcoming Democratic primary, not the general election."

Despite Lamont's 50.6 percent job approval rating, nearly three-quarters of respondents said Connecticut should make at least some changes to its current direction.

"Our first poll establishes a baseline for understanding Connecticut voters as the campaign begins to take shape," Seamus McNamee, vice president of research at GreatBlue Research, said. "Candidates and campaign dynamics will undoubtedly evolve over the coming months, but one message is already remarkably clear: voters want leaders who can make Connecticut more affordable."

The poll is the first in a three-part gubernatorial polling series by GreatBlue Research. Additional surveys are planned after Connecticut's Democratic primary in September and again in October.

The survey was conducted July 21-26 using a digital methodology. It included 1,000 registered Connecticut voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. The sample was weighted by age, gender, education and political affiliation to reflect the state's registered voter population.