Westport’s first selectwoman, Jen Tooker, announced Friday she is ending her campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination but hinted at a bid for a down-ballot spot on the GOP ticket next year.

“I still possess the heart and desire to serve the people of Connecticut,” Tooker said in a statement, adding that as she closes her campaign, “I will be actively exploring other avenues in which my name can remain on the ballot in November of 2026.”

Tooker’s announcement comes two weeks before the deadline for reporting third-quarter fundraising. In July, she reported raising $81,252 since declaring her candidacy in March. Tooker also contributed $20,000 of her own funds.

“I entered this race to be the next Governor of Connecticut as a true outsider who feels the call to serve the state I love, knowing that this amazing state is in desperate need of a course correction,” she wrote. “However, after very serious thought and deliberation, it has become clear to me that the voters need more time to get to know me, and I need more time to get to know them.”

Her departure leaves Sen. Ryan Fazio of Greenwich as the only Republican waging an active campaign for governor. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, who has been raising money since January through an exploratory committee, is expected to declare after the municipal elections in November.

Three other Republicans have declared campaigns for other statewide offices: Matt Corey for lieutenant governor, former Rep. Fred Wilms for treasurer and Peter Lumaj for secretary of the state.

No Republican has won statewide office in Connecticut since Gov. M. Jodi Rell in 2006.

Gov. Ned Lamont and the other five Democratic constitutional officers are expected to run in 2026. Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas is the only among them to have created a campaign committee.

Rep. Joshua Elliott, D-Hamden, began a gubernatorial campaign in July and will file his first campaign finance report next month.