Candidate put Connecticut governor's mansion on Airbnb

Political candidates make a lot of lofty promises, but Mark Stewart, one of about 30 people in the race for Connecticut governor, has been promising a very special kind of access: rooms in the governor's mansion.

Stewart, a Democrat, advertised rooms at the 19-room Hartford estate on Airbnb for $200 a night as a contingent listing for several weeks, until the site flagged the posting and removed it Tuesday.

“Cheery, with an air of elegance,” read the description. “Very good for entertaining others. One BR in shared elegant home that Connecticut’s prospective governor (an Airbnb host since 2015) wants to make available to respectful guests.”

Stewart, who lives alone and within walking distance of the Capitol in Hartford, defended the listing in the name of his campaign, noting the space would be both a waste for him and an opportunity to make money for the state. But he'd wanted to give the bookings to whoever wins the election. "The goal is to fill many nights and many Governor's Residence rooms for 2019, WHOMEVER ascends to the governorship. So I'll bequeath the booking to whomever might beat me out. If he or she is cool, the room rental is a no-brainer. To my knowledge, only two of the candidates have school-age children," Stewart told VICE News.

Earlier this week, an Airbnb spokesman made a statement once the nature of the listing was flagged. "While we appreciate Mr. Stewart's support for home sharing, contingency listings like this do not meet our community standards,” an Airbnb spokesman said. “We are in the process of suspending this listing."

Either way, a couple hundred a night wouldn't substantially address the shortfall of millions projected for the state budget. Plus, Stewart would need to beat out the couple dozen other candidates in the race, including a Republican who says he’ll list the residence for sale, if elected.

Nearly all states have official mansions for their governors, with only few states, including neighboring Rhode Island and Massachusetts, being exceptions. The State of Connecticut acquired the four-acre property in 1943, which includes nine bathrooms, nine fireplaces, and a pool. The mansion was originally made for a Hartford doctor and industrialist in 1909.

Stewart will need at least 15 percent of the state Democratic delegate vote in the upcoming May primary to qualify for November’s ballot, but he’s already got a backup plan in case he doesn’t: collecting signatures to form a new party he would name Americans for Minimal Government-- AMiGo for short.

Beyond the Airbnb listing, Stewart’s platform includes the return of the NHL Whalers team to Hartford, a complete nix of public welfare, and a tracking-device alternative to the current road toll system that would charge cars for distance traveled.

Cover image: Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy delivers his budget address to the Senate and House inside the Hall of the House at the State Capitol, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, in Hartford, Connecticut. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)