Connecticut's 5th Graders Elect a New Governor
/Connecticut has a newly elected Governor. The fifth graders of Connecticut have spoken and have elected Theresa "Tessa" Hallinan of Green Acres Elementary School in North Haven as Connecticut's 2026 Kid Governor.
Tessa ran on a platform addressing inclusion for students with disabilities. She will begin her one-year term as the state's eleventh Kid Governor following her inauguration in January 2026.
Kid Governor® is a national award-winning civics program created by the The Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House with major partnership and funding support from CT Humanities. Launched in Connecticut in 2015, it now a national movement with programs in other states.
As the Connecticut Kid Governor, Tessa will advance her three-point platform, share resources that equip her constituents to address inclusion for students with disabilities in their communities, lead meetings of her Cabinet, and participate in programs with The Connecticut Democracy Center in residence at Connecticut's Old State House.
Tessa's three-point platform is:
Sharing videos about including, accepting, and understanding kids with disabilities for classes to watch together.
Inviting schools to start buddy systems that pair fifth grade leaders with kids with disabilities.
Encouraging schools to designate a “Buddy Lunch Table” in the cafeteria where students can sit if they feel left out or need a friend.
“As Kid Governor, I hope I can help create a world where every single person is treated with kindness and respect. Thank you for listening, and thank you for giving me this opportunity. I am so excited and grateful to serve YOU as Connecticut’s 2026 Kid Governor," said Hallinan.
The ground-breaking Kid Governor program immerses 5th grade students in a real election for their state’s Kid Governor, a fellow 5th grader who will represent them during a one-year term of active leadership. More than a contest and not just about the position of governor, the program teaches important lessons about state government, voting, elections, and civic participation. All 5th grade classes and home school programs are welcome to participate.
Timed to coincide with Election Day in November, this annual program provides 5th graders the experience of nominating one student candidate from their school and voting in an authentic statewide election. Classes can vote in the election, nominate a student to run for office, or both! Free, innovative, and state-specific lesson plans and digital resources guide teachers through the program and help students explore state government and active participation in civic life.
Participants identify issues impacting their community and state, research solutions, create platforms to address those issues, and make campaign videos. Schools run primaries to select a nominee and each school’s winner advances to the state level.
The six other candidates from the statewide election held this month — Ajla Reci (Wethersfield), Alyvia Stoddard (Glastonbury), Dylan Ellis (South Windsor), Myra Ryparel (Ellington), Nana Appau (Manchester), and Samuel James (Hartford) — will also serve in statewide leadership roles as members of the Kid Governor's Cabinet. They will work together to support Tessa's platform and collaborate as they advance their own three-point platforms. They will meet monthly throughout their one-year term.
“You each inspire me. Your platforms are so powerful, and I am so excited to work with you this year. I know we’re going to make an amazing team!” said Kid Governor-Elect Tessa Hallinan about her Cabinet.
