Jen Tooker Announces Candidacy for Governor of Connecticut
For Immediate Release
March 3, 2025
Contact: press@jentooker.com
Proven Leader, Business Advocate, and Public Servant Launches Bold Vision for Connecticut’s Future
Westport, CT – Jen Tooker, First Selectwoman of Westport and a champion for fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and government accountability, today announced her candidacy for Governor of Connecticut. With a proven record of leadership in both the public and private sectors, Tooker is running to bring bold, results-driven solutions to the state.
“For too long, Connecticut families and businesses have been burdened by high taxes, rising costs, and a state government that lacks accountability,” said Tooker. “I’m running for governor to restore fiscal discipline, create an economy where businesses and workers thrive, and make Connecticut a place where families can afford to stay, work, and retire.”
A Plan for a Stronger Connecticut
As governor, Tooker will focus on key priorities to ensure Connecticut’s future is affordable and competitive:
- Rein in State Employee Costs: Connecticut taxpayers have been burdened with a 33% increase in state employee wages over the past five years, far exceeding private-sector wage growth. Tooker will fight for fiscally responsible labor agreements, which align public sector compensation with economic realities—ensuring sustainable and predictable costs for residents and businesses.
- Lower Energy Costs: Connecticut’s skyrocketing energy prices are driving up costs for households and businesses. Tooker will implement a strategy that aligns with Republican legislators which includes removing Public Benefits Charges from electric bills, increasing transparency on policy decisions that have an effect on cost and diversifying energy sources.
- Make Connecticut a Better Place to Retire: Connecticut ranks among the least tax-friendly states for retirees, forcing too many seniors to leave. Tooker will lower taxes and expand aging-in-place programs to ensure seniors can remain in their community.
- Transform Connecticut’s Cities into Thriving Tech Hubs: Tooker will launch a statewide innovation initiative to position Connecticut as a leader in AI, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. By attracting tech startups, fostering university partnerships, and expanding broadband infrastructure, she will create high-paying jobs and drive economic revitalization in cities like Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport.
About Jen Tooker
A genuine lover of Connecticut and experienced public servant, Jen Tooker currently serves as First Selectwoman of Westport, where she has successfully led efforts to enhance economic development, improve public safety, and strengthen local schools. Before entering public service, Tooker spent over two decades as a business leader in an important CT business sector, the reinsurance industry, specializing in risk management, operational efficiency, and strategic planning.
As Westport’s First Selectwoman, Tooker has championed fiscal responsibility, infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships that have enhanced the community while keeping taxes in check. She has also served on the Board of Finance and the Board of Education, where she played a key role in shaping policy to support students, families, and local businesses. Jen and her husband, Mo, have raised their three children in Connecticut and remain deeply committed to strengthening the state for future generations.
