First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker Running for Connecticut Governor

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced in 2026 that she will run for the Connecticut Republican gubernatorial nomination rather than seek re-election to her Westport position. This decision has upended the town's political landscape, requiring a new search for leadership and potentially shifting the balance of upcoming municipal elections. The gubernatorial campaign represents Tooker's ambition to serve the state at a higher level, though some Republicans have expressed concerns about the timing and impact on Westport's governance.