A - Larson

B - Bronin, Fortune

C - Gilchrest

John Larson hasn’t faced a stiff challenge from a member of his own party since he was first elected to represent Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District in 1998.

Larson touts his experience as a 14-term representative, saying his seniority in Congress helps Connecticut. But his challengers say that Larson has been in Washington too long and that it’s time for a fresh perspective.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we’ll talk to Larson about his re-election effort. And we’ll meet his challengers, including former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin, who is the endorsed candidate in this race, Connecticut State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), and Hartford attorney Ruth Fortune.

Guests:
U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-CT)
Luke Bronin, candidate, Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District
Ruth Fortune, candidate, Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District
Jillian Gilchrest, candidate, Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District

John Larson hasn&rsquo;t faced a stiff challenge from a member of his own party since he was first elected to represent Connecticut&rsquo;s 1st Congressional District in 1998.
Larson touts his experience as a 14-term representative, saying his seniority in Congress helps Connecticut. But his challengers say that Larson has been in Washington too long and that it&rsquo;s time for a fresh perspective.
Today on The Wheelhouse, we&rsquo;ll talk to Larson about his re-election effort. And we&rsquo;ll meet his challengers, including former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin, who is the endorsed candidate in this race, Connecticut State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), and Hartford attorney Ruth Fortune.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://larson.house.gov/">U.S. Rep. John Larson</a>&nbsp;(D-CT)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.broninforcongress.com/">Luke Bronin</a>, candidate, Connecticut&rsquo;s 1st Congressional District</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ruthfortuneforcongress.com/">Ruth Fortune</a>, candidate, Connecticut&rsquo;s 1st Congressional District</li>
<li><a href="https://voteforjillian.com/">Jillian Gilchrest</a>, candidate, Connecticut&rsquo;s 1st Congressional District</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

Democratic Primary 2026: Meet the candidates for CT’s 1st Congressional District 

There are nearly 500,000 registered Republicans in Connecticut.

That figure is less than the number of registered Democrats – and unaffiliated voters – in the state.

Republicans are at a disadvantage in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly. And in the final Quinnipiac University poll released ahead of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, the CT GOP-endorsed candidate is trailing by 20 points.

Today on The Wheelhouse, with midterm elections two weeks away, we talk to conservatives about the issues they care about and the future of their party in Connecticut.

Guests:
Rep. Vincent Candelora (R - North Branford)
Geoffrey Medeiros, chairman, CT College Republicans
Jonathan Wharton, professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
Dan Haar, senior editor and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media Group

There are nearly 500,000 <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2026/08/07/connecticut-lost-18197-active-voters-this-year-mostly-unaffiliated/">registered</a> Republicans in Connecticut.
That figure is less than the number of registered Democrats &ndash; and unaffiliated voters &ndash; in the state.
Republicans are at a disadvantage in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly. And in the final Quinnipiac University poll released ahead of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, the CT GOP-endorsed candidate is <a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3971">trailing by 20 points</a>.
Today on The Wheelhouse, with midterm elections two weeks away, we talk to conservatives about the issues they care about and the future of their party in Connecticut.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/candelora">Rep. Vincent Candelora (R - North Branford)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ctfcr/">Geoffrey Medeiros</a>, chairman, CT College Republicans</li>
<li><a href="https://www.southernct.edu/directory/whartonj1">Jonathan Wharton</a>, professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/dan-haar/?utm_source=marketing&amp;utm_medium=google&amp;utm_campaign=content_acquisition&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23947451672&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACqe600Ajs27SFeDQgHx_1zHYD8sW&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwotzWBhBFEiwA1JhPoEqksZpzWcmBpRIKfRY6Mw9UJWc7DSP8zjNdC43OexW3cViM_iyI3BoCfhAQAvD_BwE">Dan Haar</a>, senior editor and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media Group</li>
</ul>

Perspective from CT Republicans ahead of the 2026 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;

Democratic Primary 2026: Meet the candidates for CT’s 1st Congressional District

The Wheelhouse

In 1 playlist(s)

The Wheelhouse

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips