State Governor's Races: Connecticut Poll and Pennsylvania Energy Debate

Two separate state gubernatorial races were reported on in late July and early August 2026. In Connecticut, an exclusive poll conducted by Sacred Heart University, WFSB, and CT Insider between July 21 and July 26, 2026, found Democratic incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont leading Republican challenger Ryan Fazio, 49.7% to 29.5%, with a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. In Pennsylvania, rising electric bills have become a central issue in the 2026 governor's race between Democratic incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity ahead of the November 2026 election. In the Pennsylvania race, Garrity has pledged that, if elected, she would sign an executive order on her first day in office lifting a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in state parks and forests. She has also said she would call a special legislative session aimed at fast-tracking energy permits. Shapiro has taken a different approach, expressing support for an "all of the above" energy strategy intended to address a supply-demand imbalance that has been worsened by growth in data center energy consumption. Each report was published by a single outlet (WFSB for Connecticut, Spotlight PA for Pennsylvania), so these details rely on single-source reporting. Both races remain ongoing ahead of their respective 2026 general elections, with no additional polling data or policy developments reported beyond what is detailed above. The Connecticut poll reflects voter sentiment as of late July 2026 but does not indicate undecided voters' share or other candidates who may be in the race. The Pennsylvania report does not specify further details on the scope of the moratorium Garrity seeks to lift or a timeline for Shapiro's proposed energy strategy. No additional outcomes, statements, or reactions from either candidate's campaign were included in the available reporting.