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.

The Wheelhouse

Assessing the field of candidates in Connecticut ahead of the November midterms

Connecticut voters will choose between incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) in less than a month.

On the next Wheelhouse, we sit down one-on-one with both candidates to hear where they stand on immigration enforcement, taxes and spending, electric rates, and more.

Then, Mark Pazniokas from CT Mirror helps us unpack the candidates’ messaging. It’s essential listening in the lead up to November 3.

Guests:
Gov. Ned Lamont (D-CT)
State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich)
Mark Pazniokas, capitol bureau chief and co-founder, CT Mirror

Connecticut voters will choose between incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) in less than a month.
On the next Wheelhouse, we sit down one-on-one with both candidates to hear where they stand on immigration enforcement, taxes and spending, electric rates, and more.
Then, Mark Pazniokas from CT Mirror helps us unpack the candidates&rsquo; messaging. It&rsquo;s essential listening in the lead up to November 3.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nedlamont.com/">Ned Lamont</a>&nbsp;(D-CT)</li>
<li>State Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://ryanfazio.com/">Ryan Fazio</a>&nbsp;(R-Greenwich)</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/mpazniokas/">Mark Pazniokas</a>, capitol bureau chief and co-founder, CT Mirror</li>
</ul>

The 2026 CT gubernatorial election: Meet the candidates

Polling of likely voters in midterm elections indicates people aren’t happy with the way the current administration is managing the U.S. economy.

About 60% of respondents in a recent New York Times/Siena University poll say they disapprove of how Donald Trump is handling the U.S. economy.

Which party is better able to tackle a national affordability crisis?

That’s a deciding factor swaying voters. Amid that national debate, the people of Connecticut live in a reality where costs continue to swell.

The average cost for a new vehicle in Connecticut has risen 2% in the last year. The median sale price for a home in the state is rising too. Redfin, a business affiliated with Rocket Mortgage, reports that the median sale price of a home in Connecticut is $474,026.

This hour, we’re talking about affordability and the midterms and asking what can be done to lift Americans out of the current crisis.

Guests:
Martha Gimbel, executive director and co-founder, The Budget Lab at Yale University
Abigail Brone, housing reporter, Connecticut Public
Meghan Holden, director of marketing and communications, The Connecticut Project

Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this survey. Please submit responses by Oct. 14. 

Polling of likely voters in midterm elections indicates people aren&rsquo;t happy with the way the current administration is managing the U.S. economy.
About 60% of respondents in a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/09/15/polls/times-siena-poll-likely-voter-crosstabs.html">New York Times/Siena University poll</a>&nbsp;say they disapprove of how Donald Trump is handling the U.S. economy.
Which party is better able to tackle a national affordability crisis?
That&rsquo;s a deciding factor swaying voters. Amid that national debate, the people of Connecticut live in a reality where costs continue to swell.
The average cost for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/new-cars-ct-prices-shopping-consumers-22456182.php">new vehicle</a>&nbsp;in Connecticut has risen 2% in the last year. The median sale price for a home in the state is rising too. Redfin, a business affiliated with Rocket Mortgage, reports that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redfin.com/state/Connecticut/housing-market">median sale price of a home&nbsp;</a>in Connecticut is $474,026.
This hour, we&rsquo;re talking about affordability and the midterms and asking what can be done to lift Americans out of the current crisis.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://budgetlab.yale.edu/person/martha-gimbel">Martha Gimbel</a>, executive director and co-founder, The Budget Lab at Yale University</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/abby-brone">Abigail Brone</a>, housing reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://tcpactionfund.org/meghan-holden">Meghan Holden</a>, director of marketing and communications, The Connecticut Project</li>
</ul>
Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WBPXCFW">survey</a>. Please submit responses by Oct. 14.&nbsp;

Affordability and the midterms: what’s remarkable about the cost of living this election cycle?

Last week, climate leaders from around the world gathered in New York for Climate Week – the biggest annual conference of its kind.

We’ll hear what was discussed, where we’re making progress on clean energy, and what’s getting in the way.

The political landscape is shifting, with the Trump administration rolling back federal climate policies even as some climate indicators offer reasons for cautious optimism.

We also take stock of Connecticut’s high electric bills and ask: is relief anywhere in sight?

Guests:
Jake Bittle, writer at Grist
Daniel Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, Yale School of the Environment and Yale Law School
John Moritz, covers energy and the environment for CT Mirror

Last week, climate leaders from around the world gathered in New York for Climate Week &ndash; the biggest annual conference of its kind.
We&rsquo;ll hear what was discussed, where we&rsquo;re making progress on clean energy, and what&rsquo;s getting in the way.
The political landscape is shifting, with the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://geopolitique.eu/en/articles/americas-withdrawal-again-from-the-paris-agreement-a-challenging-new-era-for-the-global-response-to-climate-change/">rolling back federal climate policies</a>&nbsp;even as some climate indicators offer reasons for cautious optimism.
We also take stock of Connecticut&rsquo;s high electric bills and ask: is relief anywhere in sight?
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://grist.org/author/jake-bittle/">Jake Bittle</a>, writer at Grist</li>
<li><a href="https://law.yale.edu/daniel-c-esty">Daniel Esty</a>, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, Yale School of the Environment and Yale Law School</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/jmoritz/">John Moritz</a>,&nbsp;covers energy and the environment for&nbsp;CT Mirror</li>
</ul>

Assessing the field of candidates in Connecticut ahead of the November midterms

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