Nestor Launches Senate Campaign

Weston Today photos

June 1, 2026 | by Ted Craft

Weston First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor formally launched her general election campaign for the State Senate on May 28 at a gathering of supporters and State legislators.

A welcome from hosts Dan and Ellen Crown

Those gathered heard from Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and retiring Senator Ceci Maher, who said “we could not be luckier to have Sam running for this seat. We need her up in Hartford.”

Ms. Nestor, Sen. Maher

Senators Looney and Duff

Left to right: State Senator Julie Kushner, Ms. Nestor, Senators Maher, Looney, and Duff

Ms. Nestor pledged to “continue the legacy that Ceci has inspired us with” and cited her accomplishments as Weston first selectwoman. She said the theme of her priorities as a legislator would be to “give voters the chance to feel safe, supported, and heard.”

“It’s the seemingly little ideas from little towns that make the big things happen in Connecticut,” said Ms. Nestor, adding that she wants State legislators and officials to understand that “what happens in Hartford doesn’t stay in Hartford. It trickles down.”

State and local leaders present at the event also included State Rep. Savet Constantine, Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, Redding First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton, Rob Blanchard of Fairfield (running for the 28^th State Senate district), Meredith Tobitsch (running to represent the 125^th House District), and the chairs of most area Democratic Town Committees.

The election

This year’s general election of State offices (and possibly local referenda) takes place on November 3, with early voting beginning on October 19.

A primary election will be held on August 11, with early voting starting on August 3. Governor Ned Lamont is being challenged for the Democratic nomination, but Ms. Nestor is not. Her opponent for the Democratic endorsement, State Rep. Lucy Dathan, had previously declared her intention to mount a primary challenge, but decided instead to seek reelection to the House.