Two Democrats have stepped forward to announce their candidacies to run for the CT State Senate‘s 26th District. Weston First Selectwoman Sam Nestor and State Representative Lucy Dathan (142-New Canaan) both made announcements on Monday, Mar. 9 that they were entering the race.
The seat opened when Wilton’s State Sen. Ceci Maher announced she had decided not to run for re-election so that members of the next generation would step forward to take her place.
Wilton’s Democratic Town Committee Chair Tom Dubin called Nestor and Dathan’s announcements “wonderful,” and that Wilton and the district are fortunate to have two excellent candidates running to represent them. He noting each of their strengths should they get elected.
“Sam’s experience as Weston’s First Selectwoman makes her intimately familiar with exactly the same type of issues facing Wilton. She is widely respected as an excellent CEO of her town, with a firm grip on their finances and strong leadership regarding their strategic direction. Lucy is an equally compelling candidate. She is a CPA with deep business experience, and has been a state rep since 2018. She is House Chair of the Government Oversight Committee and has had senior positions on appropriations and other important committees, which would position her to hit the ground running in the Senate.”
In addition to Wilton, the seven other Fairfield County towns encompassing the 26th district are parts or all of Darien, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston and Westport.
State Rep. Lucy Dathan
Dathan led off her announcement emphasizing her experience in Hartford and the state legislature.
“I am running for the State Senate to ensure the people of our district continue to have a Senator with experience because now, more than ever, residents need legislators who can deliver,” she said in a prepared statement.
She referenced Maher and her predecessor Will Haskell in promising to continue their “standard of excellence.”
“The district deserves a senator who will show up, listen and deliver. I am fully committed to doing that and I look forward to bringing my experience and energy to serving as a strong voice in Hartford for district 26.”
Among the things Dathan listed as accomplishments were passing “the largest tax cut in Connecticut history,” expanding access to healthcare, protecting women’s reproductive rights, investing in quality education for all, enacting environmental protections and improving “the lives of seniors by eliminating their social security taxes.”
“I’ve been leading the fight to lower the cost of living for every Connecticut resident while building a stronger, more equitable economy,” her announcement read.
First elected to the State Legislature in 2018, Dathan represents New Canaan and Norwalk. She currently co-chairs the Government Oversight Committee and sits on both the Appropriations and Human Services Committees. She also co-chairs a Medicaid Oversight Committee and serves on the Finance Advisory Committee.
Prior to public service, Dathan was a CPA and CFO for multiple start-ups. She and her husband have three children.
Dathan’s announcement included endorsements from Norwalk Mayor Barbara Smyth, who said, “Lucy has successful experience in getting bills passed and delivering more state funding to the district,” and New Canaan Democratic Town Committee Chair Tim Klimpl, who said, “Lucy works harder than anyone I know. She is a champion for the people of our district and goes above and beyond.”
Weston First Selectwoman Sam Nestor
Nestor’s announcement focused on her experience in town leadership and her work navigating the relationship between municipalities and state government.
“These experiences have given me a clear understanding of both the opportunities and the challenges towns face in working with the state,” Nestor said. “I know how state policies can help communities thrive — and I’ve also seen where unnecessary obstacles can actually make it harder for towns to meet the needs of their residents.”
Nestor has been Weston’s first selectwoman since 2021. Prior to that, she served on that town’s Board of Selectmen and Board of Education.
According to her announcement, Nestor’s focus has been on “delivering results for her community” including securing and overseeing the administration of more than $30 million in grants and funding for Weston, as well as leading the “planning and completion of major projects, and collaboration with local and state stakeholders.”
She linked that experience to concerns all towns in the 26th district are facing, including “increasing financial pressures, rising healthcare costs for municipal and school employees as well as growing infrastructure, energy and maintenance expenses.”
“Every town is working hard to keep communities affordable, maintain strong schools, and manage rising costs responsibly,” she said. “I will bring a town leader’s perspective to the legislature and focus on policies that support municipalities rather than burden them.”
She also said that despite her obvious focus on Weston and matters pertaining to that town, she would bring that same care to the seven other towns in the 26th District.
“Those of us who live in Weston know that our lives and communities extend well beyond town lines,” Nestor said. “I know and care deeply about the towns of this district, and I look forward to listening carefully to residents in every community as we work together towards solutions that benefit all of us.”
Nestor also thanked Maher in her announcement.
“After Senator Maher shared her plans, my family and I took time to thoughtfully consider what the future may hold. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Senator Maher and deeply appreciate her thoughtfulness, hard work and graciousness in public service. While serving as First Selectwoman of Weston has been an honor, I believe I have so much more to offer our communities.”