By Sentinel Staff
Ryan Fazio’s decision to run for governor has opened one of Connecticut’s most closely watched legislative seats, setting the stage for a competitive race in the 36th State Senate District.
For the past several years, Fazio has represented Greenwich, New Canaan, and portions of Stamford in Hartford, building a profile as a Republican focused on affordability, energy costs, and fiscal discipline. His departure from the Senate to pursue a statewide campaign leaves voters in the district facing a familiar civic moment: the task of choosing the next steward of a seat that has long carried influence in Connecticut politics.
The communities that make up the 36th District–Greenwich, New Canaan, and the northern neighborhoods of Stamford–share a tradition of local engagement, where residents scrutinize budgets, attend town meetings, and expect their elected officials to approach government with seriousness.
Two candidates have stepped forward so far to make their case. Greenwich Democrat Jill Oberlander, a former member of the Board of Selectmen and a veteran of local government, has entered the race with a record of municipal service that spans more than a decade. Republicans, meanwhile, are expected to rally behind Joe Kelly, a longtime civic volunteer, former Greenwich Board of Education chairman, and current Board of Estimate and taxation member known for his work building consensus.
Each brings a distinct biography and governing style shaped by years of involvement in the community. Each also reflects a broader conversation unfolding across Connecticut’s suburbs, where voters increasingly weigh practical concerns about taxes, schools, infrastructure, and affordability against the shifting currents of national politics.
