Together, election financial filings from the campaigns of Republican Ryan Fazio and Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont list a total of $302.07 in meal and food purchases at Frank Pepe locations.
Lamont’s campaign also reported a separate $865.93 event-catering charge to Frank Pepe Pizza, bringing the total reported spent by both campaigns at that pizza business to $1,168.
Across 67 itemized meal and food expenses reviewed from Dec. 31, 2025 through Sept. 30, Lamont’s and Fazio’s campaigns reported a total of $6,830.39. Lamont’s campaign accounted for $5,538.82 in food costs and Fazio’s for $1,291.57. The tally excludes catering, volunteer refreshments and Primo Brands water purchases coded as office supplies, so it is not a total of all food-related spending.
DoorDash was Lamont’s largest vendor in the tally, with $2,233.30 across 21 charges. Election filings list the third-party delivery service and do not say where those orders were purchased. The filings also show purchases from Ashley’s in Hartford, Cafe Real in Bristol and G Cafe Bakery in New Haven.
Lamont campaign communications director Lauren Gray said volunteers often eat together after long days reaching voters, drawing on “the many wonderful delis, restaurants, and pizza spots our state has to offer.” She urged supporters to “knock doors, meet new people, and enjoy some delicious pizza.”
The Fazio campaign’s itemized filings list a $29.05 McDonald’s purchase in North Haven, categorized as volunteer meals. Hannah Lemek, campaign spokesperson, said the restaurant is next to the campaign headquarters and is a convenient stop.
“You can’t beat their fries and an ice-cold Diet Coke, although Ryan prefers Pepsi,” Lemek said.
She also described Little Pub as a favorite for staff who stop between events to eat, answer emails or send out a press release. The supplied filings through Sept. 30 list no Little Pub expense, and Lemek did not say whether those meals were paid for by the campaign, reimbursed or covered by staff.
The reports don’t show who ate each order. But the campaigns’ comments and filings suggest a campaign-trail menu built around pizza, deli food, takeout and fast food, with at least one North Haven stop offering fries and a choice between Diet Coke and Pepsi.
Dining and Cooking