HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The executive director of the State Elections Enforcement Commission says a record 334 Connecticut candidates received public grants to fund their 2018 primary and general election campaigns.

That's more than the 294 who received grants in 2014, the last gubernatorial election year.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Petitioning independent candidate Oz Griebel (GREEB'-il) is rejecting a request from organizations supporting abortion rights and stronger gun laws to withdraw from Connecticut's close governor's race.

The organizations, which describe themselves as politically progressive, want Griebel to endorse Democrat Ned Lamont.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut candidates are stumping at numerous events over the weekend, hoping to encourage Connecticut voters to head to the polls on Election Day.

Democratic governor contender Ned Lamont and Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy was scheduled to join members of the Service Employees International Union on Saturday in Hartford. They plan to help with a phone-banking operation to turn out union voters on Tuesday.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's gubernatorial candidates are crisscrossing the state, appearing at rallies, diners and even on trains in advance of next week's election.

Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont is appearing Friday with a fellow Democrat, Virginia U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, at a discussion on economic opportunity in Hartford.

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (AP) — The three leading candidates for Connecticut governor are appearing together for a final debate before Election Day.

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities has organized Tuesday's event, to be held at Foxwoods Resort Casino. It marks the third time Republican Bob Stefanowski, Democrat Ned Lamont and petitioning independent candidate Oz Griebel (GREEB'-il) will debate state issues.

CCM is Connecticut's largest organization of cities and towns.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The major candidates to be Connecticut's next governor have now all released their tax returns.

Republican Bob Stefanowski released a portion of his tax returns on Saturday. Stefanowski's two chief rivals, Democrat Ned Lamont and petitioning independent candidate Oz Griebel, have repeatedly called on him to provide his tax information. Both previously released their returns.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Two of the three major candidates for Connecticut governor have now released their tax information.

Democrat Ned Lamont, a wealthy Greenwich businessman, released partial information Friday about federal and state taxes paid over the past five years. Petitioning independent candidate Oz Griebel released his last month and had encouraged his fellow candidates to follow suit.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Republican governor candidate Bob Stefanowski attempted to paint both his Democratic and independent rivals as fans of big spending and taxes during their second appearance together on a debate stage. In return, they accused the businessman and political newcomer on Thursday of providing few specifics on his policy proposals.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont has proposed spending proceeds from legalized sports betting to restore a local property credit program for elderly homeowners.

While Connecticut has not yet passed legislation allowing sports betting, Lamont promised Wednesday "we're going to get that passed, we're going to pass that early" if he's elected.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Three contenders for Connecticut governor are facing off in their second debate together.

Republican businessman Bob Stefanowski of Madison, Democratic businessman Ned Lamont of Greenwich and independent candidate and business advocate Oz Griebel of Hartford will appear at the Infinity Music Hall & Bistro in Hartford on Thursday. The invitation-only event is being sponsored by the Connecticut Broadcasters Association.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — New poll results have prompted debate invitations for Oz Griebel (GREEB'-il), the independent candidate for Connecticut governor.

His campaign confirmed Wednesday that he is now allowed to participate in gubernatorial debates planned for Oct. 18 and 30 with Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski.

NORWALK, Conn. (AP) — The former chairman of independent Connecticut gubernatorial candidate Oz Griebel's campaign has appeared in court on a larceny charge.

The Hartford Courant reports that 31-year-old Kyle Lyddy, of Danbury, did not enter a plea Monday. Lyddy was charged with misappropriating $500,000 from the Norwalk marketing company where he worked.

NORWALK, Conn. (AP) — Kyle Lyddy, the chairman of independent gubernatorial candidate Oz Griebel's campaign, has been arrested on a larceny charge.

Norwalk police say Lyddy, 31, of Danbury, was charged after a monthlong investigation with misappropriating $500,000 from the company where he worked. Police did not name the company.

Chris Cooper, a spokesman for the Griebel campaign, said Lyddy resigned on Monday.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The first gubernatorial debate in Connecticut's general election is set to take place.

The Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges will host the match-up on Wednesday, at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. The topic will be the future of Connecticut's economy.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Bob Stefanowski, the Republican candidate for Connecticut governor, is agreeing to four debates this election season.

The Madison businessman announced Monday he'll participate in the debates planned for Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 18 and Oct. 30.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Independent Party of Connecticut on Sunday cross-endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski and the slate of GOP statewide candidates, giving them a second spot on the November ballot.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Latest on the Independent Party of Connecticut endorsement (all times local):

11 p.m.

Bob Stefanowski, the Republican candidate for governor, has secured a second spot on the November general election ballot.

Stefanowski was cross-endorsed Sunday night by the Independent Party of Connecticut.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A former Republican, who is campaigning for Connecticut governor with a Democratic running mate, is close to getting on the ballot.

The Secretary of the State's Office says it has so far verified 7,161 of the 7,500 signatures that Oz Griebel (GREEB'-il) and Monte Frank need to secure a spot in November.

There's a chance, however, that Griebel may appear on the ballot as the Independent Party of Connecticut's candidate.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Political candidates attempting to petition their way onto Connecticut's general election ballot in November are running out of time to submit signatures.

The deadline for turning in the petitions for verification is Wednesday at 4 p.m. They can be submitted to the local town clerks offices, which then have two weeks to turn them in to the state. They can also be submitted to the Secretary of the State's office, but still have to be verified by the local election officials.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Candidates for governor will be asked what Connecticut should be doing to address the challenges of climate change.

A coalition of state environmental groups, which includes the Connecticut Sierra Club chapter, 350 CT and the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, is holding a forum on the subject Monday night at Trinity College in Hartford. The event is free and open to the public.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An independent candidate for Connecticut governor says a pilot program should be started in 2019 to test electronic highway tolls on the Harford area's high-occupancy-vehicle lanes along Interstate 84.

Oz Griebel (GREEB'-il) said again Friday he supports tolls, pledging to establish a system on Interstates 84, 91 and 95 within three years of being elected governor. Griebel says the pilot program would provide valuable information to begin tolling on all three highways.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An independent team running for Connecticut governor and lieutenant governor is holding its own convention.

Republican Oz Griebel (GREEB'-il) and his Democratic running mate Monte Frank are holding the "Oz & Monte No Politics. No Parties. Just Solutions. Convention" in Hartford's Infinity Hall on Tuesday night.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The outgoing chief of a Hartford business group says he's running for governor as an independent.

Former Republican Oz Griebel (GREEB'-ill) announced Wednesday that he and Newtown attorney Monte Frank, a former lifelong Democrat, have joined forces to create the first independent ticket in the 2018 race.