Betsy McCaughey
Connecticut Republican Governor nominee?
$28.4K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Lieutenant Governor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age77 years old (Oct 20, 1948)
GenderFemale
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LocationConnecticut
BackgroundPolitician
EducationVassar College — B.A., History
Notable personal detailsBetsy McCaughey (born Elizabeth Helen Peterken) is an American politician, author, and health policy commentator who served as lieutenant governor of New York from 1995 to 1998 under Gov. George Pataki. She is known for her writing and advocacy on health policy and hospital-acquired infections, including leadership of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID). She earned a B.A. in history from Vassar College and a Ph.D. in constitutional history from Columbia University, and has taught at both institutions.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Betsy McCaughey advocates eliminating Connecticut’s personal income tax within a five-year period and promotes large tax cuts based on supply-side economics. Her campaign frames eliminating the income tax as central to revitalizing the state’s economy and attracting business. She has proposed convening expert panels to design the phase-out and said she would not prioritize broad spending cuts to accompany the tax repeal.
Healthcare
Opposes the Affordable Care Act and federal "government takeover" of health care, advocating for patient choice, transparency, and limited government involvement. Emphasizes market-oriented reforms and accountability (e.g., hospital infection transparency) rather than expansion of government-run programs.
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Immigration & Border
Opposes broad legalization/amnesty and criticized the 2013 “Gang of Eight” immigration bill as weakening asylum rules, expanding legal immigration, and impeding border enforcement. Has argued against provisions that would direct community organizations to assist immigrants and warned the bill would be costly and tilt politics toward Democrats. These statements emphasize stronger enforcement and restrictions on pathways in contrast with expansion-oriented reform proposals.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports abortion rights and identifies as pro-choice. Public comments and recent reporting indicate she favors preserving access to abortion rather than advocating for major new restrictions or bans.
Climate & Energy
Supports banning offshore wind and ending Connecticut’s public benefit charge, prioritizes lower electric rates and deregulation of energy markets. Emphasizes removing fees on electricity and rolling back policies she describes as raising costs for homeowners. Positions indicate preference for market-driven energy approaches and opposition to aggressive climate regulations in the state context.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate defends strong Second Amendment rights and opposes restrictive gun-control measures while emphasizing being tough on crime. Public materials frame her as defending constitutional freedoms and critical of laws that heavily restrict carrying or possession of firearms.
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