Connecticut’s Erin Stewart Criticized for Amazon, Costco Purchases as Mayor

Erin Stewart, Republican gubernatorial candidate and former mayor of New Britain, is facing heavy scrutiny after a CT Insider analysis of FOIA records. The records show more than $200,000 in charges on a city-issued Visa card while she was in office.

The records detail a mix of itemized and non-itemized purchases, including vendors like Amazon, Costco, and The Hartford Club. There’s a pattern of expenses that critics argue stretch the limits of what municipal spending should cover.

Find Your Ideal Getaway in Connecticut
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now

As Stewart campaigns across Connecticut, the controversy has become a statewide story. Voters in towns big and small are paying attention.

Overview of the spending controversy

CT Insider’s review of FOIA documents tracks a running total that jumped from about $15,700 in 2017 to over $40,000 in 2025. Charges span from 2016 through 2025.

The analysis highlights clusters of spending tied to mayoral operations in New Britain and related activities. Some charges went to The Hartford Club, Costco, Amazon, and Shutterfly.

Notable line items include party supplies, gifts, and working lunches. Some expenses connect to events like a birthday celebration, a Bees game outing, and meals at the Capitol Grille.

Itemized charges also show office and household items—think salad spinner, bubble maker, and a tabletop fire pit from Amazon. Costco purchases weren’t always detailed.

The records show charges for subscriptions, including Hearst Connecticut Media. There are also purchases like clothing, makeup, diapers, and children’s merchandise.

Critics say these blur the line between municipal needs and personal or political spending. Supporters call them legitimate operating costs that went through budgeting and audits.

Itemized charges and patterns

Nearly $47,000 in Amazon purchases (2016–2025).
About $19,400 at The Hartford Club.
Approximately $19,200 at Costco.
Roughly $7,800 at Shutterfly.
12-month rolling totals rising from $15,700 in 2017 to over $40,000 in 2025.
Examples labeled as “working lunches” at venues like the New Britain Bees game and the Capitol Grille.
Gifts, party favors, Father’s Day cards, clothing, diapers, and children’s merchandise bought around family events.
Some charges were itemized (salad spinner, bubble maker, tabletop fire pit), but others from Costco weren’t broken down.

Reactions across Connecticut

The spending revelations have drawn condemnation from critics on both sides. State Sen. Ryan Fazio called Stewart’s conduct “disqualifying” and urged her to drop out of the governor’s race.

Stewart defended the expenditures, saying they were budgeted, audited, and appropriate for mayoral operations. She points to her record of turning a city deficit into a surplus.

In New Britain, the controversy has sharpened political tensions. Mayor Bobby Sanchez acknowledged ongoing investigations into city spending and called the reports an “appalling abuse of taxpayer dollars.”

Now the broader Connecticut political scene is buzzing about fiscal stewardship and governance, not just in New Britain and Hartford, but in other communities too.

Stewart’s defense and campaign positioning

Stewart argues she spent the money within approved budgets and city processes. She positions herself as the Republican who can take on Gov. Ned Lamont in November.

Her campaign leans on her record of financial turnaround during her 12 years as mayor. Critics, though, see the timing and nature of these charges as a real threat to her statewide campaign.

This all comes as New Britain faces separate investigations into city finances, including the firing of a tax collector over backdated checks. Authorities have referred that case to the State’s Attorney for review.

Implications for Connecticut voters and towns

These developments hit home for communities all over the state, from Hartford and New Britain to New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Bristol, and Manchester. Residents find themselves weighing fiscal accountability against political leadership—sometimes with a bit of skepticism, honestly.

The episode sparks yet another round of debate about how towns should pay for their operations and who’s really keeping an eye on the process. People wonder if a candidate’s track record on budgets actually leads to good governance at the state level, or if that’s just wishful thinking.

As Connecticut voters size up Erin Stewart’s run for governor, this whole situation will probably shape conversations in both big cities and smaller towns. Folks in places like Bridgeport and Danbury, or even the neighborhoods of East Hartford and West Hartford, are talking about what transparency and accountability really mean.

Now, the statewide discussion feels focused on what people truly expect from leaders—at city hall and up in the state Capitol. Some want clear answers, others just want someone they can trust, but everyone seems to have an opinion.

Here is the source article for this story: Erin Stewart faces criticism over Amazon, Costco purchases while mayor

Discover Your Perfect Stay in Connecticut
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now