Erin Stewart Halts Connecticut Governor Bid After Credit-Card Report

Erin Stewart, the former mayor of New Britain, Connecticut, has suspended her campaign for governor after an investigative report alleged she used a city-issued credit card for personal and political expenses. The report was commissioned by her Democratic successor, Mayor Bobby Sanchez, and released Thursday, May 14, 2026. Stewart said she would step back from public life and make restitution.

The report concluded Stewart engaged in a “repeated and deliberate circumvention of the city’s purchase order system to benefit herself, members of her family, and her political campaigns.” It was prepared by the Crumbie Law Group, according to the article.

Investigators found the “great majority” of $207,076 charged to Stewart’s city credit card over nearly a decade was unrelated to city business. The law firm recommended a criminal investigation by state and federal authorities, citing potential violations of statutes governing Fraud, Larceny, Embezzlement, False Statements, Wire Fraud, and Misuse of Government Property.

Sanchez said the city would refer the report to the U.S. Attorney and the Chief State’s Attorney. He also said the city intends to pursue legal avenues, including a lawsuit, to recover taxpayer funds.

Stewart’s response and endorsement

Stewart had previously described the inquiry as a “witch hunt” aimed at damaging her candidacy, but she did not dispute the authenticity of the credit-card records cited in the report. On Thursday, she issued a statement expressing contrition, saying she planned to suspend her campaign and address the questions raised.

She also immediately endorsed state Sen. Ryan Fazio for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Impact on the Republican nominating contest

The suspension came days before the Republican nominating convention, where Stewart had been viewed as a leading contender. Under the party’s rules, a candidate needs 15% of delegate votes to qualify for a primary and become eligible for nearly $3 million in public financing, according to the article.

Officials have not announced any charging decision. Any next steps are expected to turn on referrals to prosecutors and the city’s efforts to seek recovery of funds.