Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

Connecticut Senate District 26

Nestor and Sarelli are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Western Connecticut Planning Region election filings.

About this race

Samantha Nestor (Democratic), Alma Sarelli (Republican) are the major-party nominees for Connecticut Senate District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Listed from the party endorsement and nomination certificates filed with the Secretary of the State and the August 11 primary results; minor-party lines and petitioning candidates are certified separately and are not yet reflected here. The General Assembly's member list shows no sitting member among these candidates. Connecticut nominates by party convention; an August 11, 2026 primary was held only where a challenger qualified, per the Secretary of the State.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Connecticut › Western Connecticut Planning Region › Connecticut Senate District 26

Samantha Nestor

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Control healthcare costs and hold insurers accountable
Fund schools and support teachers and students
Address rising energy costs

Biography

Sam Nestor is in her third term as First Selectwoman of Weston and lists nine years of public service, per the campaign site. The site says Nestor began in public service on the Board of Education and has worked with the towns of the 26th District through the Western Council of Governments, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Alma Sarelli

Republican

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Wants to make Connecticut more affordable for families.
Supports local control and opposes one size fits all state decisions affecting towns.
Wants increased state support for special education funding.

Biography

Alma Sarelli is a member of Westport's Representative Town Meeting, where she has voted on school budgets including funding for Long Lots Elementary School, per her campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotConnecticut Senate District 27

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Connecticut Senate District 26 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Connecticut Senate District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Samantha Nestor and Alma Sarelli. Candidate information follows official Western Connecticut Planning Region election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Connecticut Senate District 26 election in Connecticut?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Connecticut are on the Connecticut election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Western Connecticut Planning Region ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Western Connecticut Planning Region and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Connecticut election office, or see the full Western Connecticut Planning Region sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Western Connecticut Planning Region ballot

35 tracked races in Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Connecticut Senate District 28 Connecticut Senate District 30 Connecticut Senate District 32 See all 35 Western Connecticut Planning Region races

Candidate profiles

Samantha Nestor, full profile Alma Sarelli, full profile Official Connecticut election office