John Larson, a 14-term Democratic congressman, was unable to stave off a primary challenge from former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin.

Larson wasn’t the only incumbent who lost on a primary night this year.

As Republicans in Connecticut make their case against local incumbents, they campaign in a blue state, outnumbered by Democrats.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we continue our midterm election coverage by dissecting local primary results.

Plus, amid a spate of immigration arrests in Danbury by federal law enforcement, how is Mayor Roberto Alves working to keep migrant families in his city safe?

Guests:
Roberto Alves, mayor, city of Danbury
Themis Klarides, former Republican state representative, Derby
Christopher Keating, reporter, Hartford Courant

John Larson, a 14-term Democratic congressman, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-08-11/ct-election-results-primary-congress-governor-larson-bronin-lamont">unable to stave off a primary challenge</a>&nbsp;from former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin.
Larson wasn&rsquo;t the only&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courant.com/2026/08/30/national-anti-incumbent-wave-comes-to-ct-with-veteran-lawmakers-ousted-in-primaries-caucuses/">incumbent who lost</a>&nbsp;on a primary night this year.
As Republicans in Connecticut make their case against local incumbents, they campaign in a blue state, outnumbered by Democrats.
Today on The Wheelhouse, we continue our midterm election coverage by dissecting&nbsp;local&nbsp;primary results.
Plus, amid a spate of immigration arrests in Danbury by federal law enforcement, how is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/2026-09-03/major-protest-held-in-danbury-to-denounce-ice-arrests">Mayor Roberto Alves</a>&nbsp;working to keep migrant families in his city safe?
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.danbury-ct.gov/291/Meet-Mayor-Roberto-Alves">Roberto Alves</a>, mayor, city of Danbury</li>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/jsc/commission-members-bios/biographies-of-commission-members">Themis Klarides</a>, former Republican state representative, Derby</li>
<li><a href="https://www.courant.com/author/christopher-keating/">Christopher Keating</a>, reporter, Hartford Courant</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.