The Waterbury Times|Oct 31, 2026

Updated Nov 1, 2026 5:57pm

UPDATE: Lamont Campaign Accuses Political Provocateurs After Governor Swats Reporter’s Camera

CONNECTICUT — The controversy surrounding Gov. Ned Lamont’s interaction with a reporter during a campaign event in Stamford has escalated following a statement from the Lamont campaign defending the governor’s actions and accusing political opponents of orchestrating disruptions at his public appearances.

The incident occurred Saturday, October 31, at Scalzi Park in Stamford, where Lamont was attending a Get Out the Vote rally ahead of Election Day.

Video originally circulated by The Connecticut Centinal and brought to wider attention through Reese on the Radio shows Lamont being approached by a woman recording on her phone. The reporter asked about Rob Blanchard, a member of Lamont’s campaign staff and Democratic candidate for the 28th State Senate District, who recently received a driving citation following a vehicle crash at a construction site in Newtown.

After initially engaging with the question, Lamont asked, “What is this about?” before extending his hand toward the camera. The footage shows contact with the recording device.

The reporter immediately questioned why the governor had touched her camera.

Lamont Campaign: Political Provocateurs

In a statement provided to WFSB, Lamont campaign spokeswoman Lauren Gray characterized the encounter as part of what the campaign described as a continuing pattern of disruptions at the governor’s public appearances.

“For the last several months, political provocateurs have shown up to disrupt the Governor’s events, both official and campaign,” the statement said.

The campaign went further, questioning the reporter’s professional independence and alleging that individuals presenting themselves as journalists have demonstrated support for Republican candidates.

Gray specifically accused Republican gubernatorial challenger Ryan Fazio of attempting to capitalize on the incident.

The campaign described the confrontation as an effort to manufacture controversy and generate attention for Fazio’s campaign.

Lamont also offered his own response when asked about the video.

“I think Ryan [Fazio]’s getting desperate. Maybe somebody came to an event and tried to stir up some trouble. I’m here trying to celebrate Halloween, I wish he was doing the same thing,” Lamont told WFSB.

Campaign Supporter Offers Another Account

The Lamont campaign also provided WFSB with a statement from Lauren Meyer, identified as a supporter of the governor who was present during the encounter.

Meyer disputed the characterization that Lamont slapped the reporter’s phone.

She said the woman got too close to the governor, caught him off guard, and that he flicked his hand in the direction of the camera.

Meyer maintained that Lamont did not slap the phone and never made physical contact with the reporter.

Her account offers a different interpretation of the interaction from the reporter’s immediate reaction and the video circulating online.

Fazio Rejects Campaign’s Accusations

Fazio rejected the suggestion that his campaign was involved in sending individuals to disrupt Lamont’s events.

Speaking to WFSB, the Republican challenger criticized the governor’s conduct and called for accountability.

“It looked like the governor smacked the hand of someone who was asking a question he didn’t want to hear,” Fazio said.

He added that Lamont should apologize, arguing that public officials should demonstrate the same standards of civility expected of others.

Questions Remain

The incident has now become a subject of competing accounts between the Lamont campaign, the reporter and the Republican challenger.

The central issue remains the governor’s physical interaction with a recording device belonging to a person attempting to ask him a question.

The footage shows Lamont extending his hand toward the camera and making contact with the device. It does not appear to show the phone being knocked out of the reporter’s hand.

The reporter has not been publicly identified by name. According to reporting by Hearst Connecticut Media, she attended the event to pursue a story for The Connecticut Centinal and said she was not there to antagonize the governor.

The Waterbury Times will continue following the story as additional information becomes available, including any further response from the governor’s office, the reporter involved or law enforcement.

The question now extends beyond the original exchange: How should elected officials handle difficult questions from members of the press, regardless of their political affiliations?

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Original Reporting Begins

Oct 31, 2026

CONNECTICUT — A developing incident involving Gov. Ned Lamont is drawing attention after video circulated by the Reese on the Radio Facebook page appears to show the governor striking a reporter’s camera during a press interaction.

According to the footage, a woman identified as a reporter with the Connecticut Sentinel was recording the governor using what appears to be a smartphone when she asked him a question concerning his campaign manager.

The exchange initially appeared cordial, with Lamont seemingly receptive to the question. However, the interaction took a different turn when the governor interrupted the exchange and asked, “What is this about?”

Moments later, Lamont extended his hand and appeared to strike the camera, interrupting the recording.

The reporter appeared visibly surprised by the interaction and immediately objected, telling the governor that he could not do that.

The incident raises questions about the boundaries of interactions between public officials and members of the press, particularly when reporters are asking questions about matters involving an elected official’s professional and political associations.

Questions About Press Access and Accountability

The incident comes during a closely watched Connecticut gubernatorial election season, with Lamont campaigning for another term against Republican challenger Ryan Fazio.

Public officials routinely face difficult questions from reporters. While officials can decline to answer questions, challenge their premise, or end an interview, physical interference with a journalist’s recording equipment raises a separate set of concerns.

At this stage, several details remain unconfirmed, including the reporter’s full identity, the precise circumstances surrounding the exchange, and whether the governor’s office has issued a response.

The Waterbury Times is working to establish additional details and obtain comment from the governor’s office and the reporter involved.

The footage was first brought to wider attention through the Reese on the Radio Facebook page.

This is a developing story. The Waterbury Times will update this report as additional information becomes available.