Connecticut voters will hear more than policy positions as the 2026 governor’s race heats up. Both incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger State Sen. Ryan Fazio, longtime residents of Greenwich, disclosed the music and books that have guided them through campaigns and personal life. Their playlists and reading lists were shared with The Connecticut Mirror ahead of the November general election.
Lamont’s soundtrack and literary favorites
Lamont said music “has a very important place in our soul.” His selections range from classic rock – the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones – to contemporary pop such as Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer.” He also highlighted dance‑floor staples like the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling,” which he played at a Connecticut Association of Realtors conference in 2023, and Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance.”
Long‑time favorites include Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up,” which he has sung at labor rallies and a recent Greenwich protest, and Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A‑Changing.” Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” earned special mention for its message of workplace equity and female empowerment, a theme Lamont said resonates with his own push for women’s rights.
More recent additions feature Bad Bunny’s “DtMF,” introduced to him by a director in the governor’s office, and a brief pause from budget work to watch the artist’s Super Bowl halftime performance.
On the reading side, Lamont described his list as “aspirational” and comfort‑reading. He frequently reads The Little Engine That Could” to his grandson and revisits the opening of the Declaration of Independence and Walter Isaacson’s The Greatest Sentence Ever Written. Keith Richards’ memoir Life holds personal significance after Lamont presented Richards with the first Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence. He also plans to read Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Shuffle and Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead.
Fazio’s musical and literary influences
Fazio’s playlist reflects a blend of classic country and rock. He called himself an “Ella fella,” citing rising country star Ella Langley and veteran Toby Keith as recent favorites. He also enjoys George Strait, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Presley. For workouts, he relies on Parton’s “Jolene,” Don McLean’s “American Pie,” the Eagles’ “Take It Easy,” and Billy Preston’s “Nothing From Nothing.”
Although he does not list Beyoncé’s 2024 album “Cowboy Carter” among his top picks, he appreciates the record’s impact on the country‑music scene and highlighted tracks “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”
Fazio’s reading list leans heavily toward historical and philosophical works. He opened with Russian classics – Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov – noting that the steadfast, faithful characters reminded him of his late grandmother, a personal role model who reinforced his Christian faith. He described the novels as a “blueprint” for staying steady and ethical amid political pressures.
Beyond the Russian epics, Fazio mentioned sweeping historical novels, political and economic commentary, spy thrillers, and 20th‑century history, all of which he says shape his governing philosophy.
Why the lists matter to voters
Political scientist Stephen Dyson, who co‑hosts the “Pop Culture Professors” podcast, offered a modest caution. He noted that candidates often use cultural preferences to signal values, recalling past examples from UK leaders. Still, Dyson praised the personal touch, saying recommending a song or book is “a generous act” that can create common ground with constituents.
Both Lamont and Fazio argue that their cultural choices reflect broader principles they bring to office – from workplace fairness to family‑centered steadiness. As Connecticut’s electorate prepares to vote, these playlists and reading lists provide a glimpse into the personal convictions that may guide each candidate’s policy decisions.
Looking ahead
The governor’s race remains one of the state’s most closely watched contests. While policy debates dominate headlines, the candidates’ shared love of Dolly Parton and their distinct musical and literary tastes offer voters a more human perspective on the two men vying for Connecticut’s top executive office.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
