Good morning and welcome back to the Tip Sheet, a weekly newsletter from Tom Dudchik’s Capitol Report written by Mike Cerulli.

This week, we’re taking a look at the names being floated to take the reins of the Connecticut Democratic Party.

Plus, the results of an audit requested by the Governor are due out today…and a well-known Connecticut power couple just welcomed their first child.

Let’s Dive In.

Inside the Quiet Race For a Thankless Job

The Governor has a decision to make.

Early next year, it is widely expected that state Democrats will choose a new party chair. While the choice will be formally made by the members of the Democratic State Central Committee, tradition dictates that they differ to the Governor to choose the person who helms the party.

The internal workings of the state party have never seemed to be a particular focus for a Governor who began his career as an outsider to the party establishment and whose two most recent campaigns have been powered by tens of millions from his own vast fortune. But now, as he weighs the prospects of either a third term or a lively Democratic primary to replace him, Lamont is faced with a decision that will shape the fortunes of Connecticut Democrats in 2026 and beyond.

The next state Democratic party chair will have to fill the shoes of Nancy DiNardo, a giant of Connecticut politics who has been a fixture of the state Democratic party for nearly two decades. DiNardo’s first run as state party chair, which lasted from 2005 to 2015, saw Democrats retake the Governor’s office and capture every House seat in the state.

Multiple Democratic elected officials, party leaders, and operatives who spoke with the Tip Sheet identified several names in contention to be the next state party chair in the event that DiNardo caps her tenure in office this January.

Those candidates can be broadly divided into two categories: those actively seeking the job and those whose interest is harder to discern and might require a little coaxing from the Governor.

In the first category, at least two prominent party leaders are viewed by insiders as actively pursuing the role: Fairfield Democratic Town Committee Chair Steve Sheinberg and state party Vice Chair Jimmy Tickey.

For many Connecticut Democrats, Tickey is a known entity with no shortage of allies around the state. He has professional experience running campaigns and has held positions in local, state, and federal government. The Shelton native currently serves as District Director for Jim Himes and has been a trusted political hand for both Rosa DeLauro and Susan Bysiewicz.

But Tickey’s association with Bysiewicz has become something of a vulnerability for him during the shadow campaign to run the state party. In the event Lamont does step aside in 2026, some detractors question the optics and the fairness of having Tickey preside over a contest (or the lead-up to a contest) in which his old boss is a likely competitor.

On the other hand, Sheinberg has remained neutral-in public and in private-in the jockeying between potential 2026 aspirants. Sheinberg’s hard-charging style and ability to muster legions of volunteers have made him a standout among local party chairs.

Sheinberg’s 9-year tenure leading the Fairfield Democrats has spanned a period of Trump-driven successes for Democrats throughout Connecticut’s suburbs. Harnessing national tailwinds, Sheinberg successfully led campaigns to flip two State House seats and retake Fairfield’s highest municipal office. He was also an instrumental part of Stephanie Thomas' muscular floor operation at the 2022 Democratic convention–surprising some party figures from outside Fairfield County who were not previously familiar with him.

Aside from Tickey and Sheinberg, the Tip Sheet has heard several other names floated by well-placed insiders–most notably Vinnie Mauro and Joe Aresimowicz. In both cases, it’s not entirely clear how interested either man is in the job, but it’s undeniable that they each have the skillset to excel in the role.

Both Mauro and Aresimowicz have deep ties to the labor movement and experience leading complex political operations. Mauro’s impressive get-out-the-vote operations in New Haven would be invaluable to any statewide campaign in 2026 looking to reverse worrying urban turnout trends. Aresimowicz’s strong relationships around the state and experience as a TV talking head make him an equally enticing candidate.

Ultimately, the Governor’s choice might offer some window into his political priorities and future plans. Will he double down on Connecticut Democrats’ success in the suburbs and tap Sheinberg? Does he hand the reins to a younger generation and pick Tickey? Does he look to convince well-known political veterans like Aresimowicz and Mauro to take the job? Or perhaps Lamont will re-embrace the maverick mentality of his earlier days in statewide politics and pick a candidate no one is discussing...

In any event, the clock is ticking.

Speaking of the Guv…

News 8’s Dennis House toured the Big E with Governor Lamont last week. In a wide-ranging walk-and-talk, Dennis queried the Governor on everything from electricity bills to his plans for 2026.

Watch Dennis’ segment here.

Scanlon Readies Release of Social Equity Council Audit

This morning, Comptroller Sean Scanlon will release his office’s audit of the Social Equity Council. The audit was requested by Governor Lamont and comes on the heels of detailed reporting by Kevin Rennie on the troubles at the council.

The Comptroller will detail his findings at 11:00 AM.

The Force is strong with this one…

Samantha Norton and Rob Blanchard welcomed their first child, Theo Thomas, this weekend.

The political power couple met on the campaign trail in 2018 and married in 2022. Norton is currently communications director for the Connecticut State Colleges and University system. Blanchard, who has served senior roles in the offices of the Governor and Comptroller, is locked in a closely-watched race with incumbent Republican State Sen. Tony Hwang.

Congratulations, Samantha and Rob!