What makes a politician click with voters?

Is it the message? The smile? The slogan? Or that one campaign ad everyone can't stop talking about?

Today on The Wheelhouse, we go behind the scenes with political strategists to explore the making of a politician.

We'll break down the speeches, slogans, handshakes, photo ops, and yes – even the cringeworthy campaign ads.

Guests:
Jill Barkley Roy, director, Emerge Action Fund
Liz Kurantowicz, Republican analyst and owner, The Drury Group
Mercy Quaye, founder and CEO, The Narrative Project

What makes a politician click with voters?
Is it the message? The smile? The slogan? Or that one campaign ad everyone can't stop talking about?
Today on The Wheelhouse, we go behind the scenes with political strategists to explore the making of a politician.
We'll break down the speeches, slogans, handshakes, photo ops, and yes &ndash; even the cringeworthy campaign ads.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://emergeamerica.org/staff/jill-barkley/">Jill Barkley Roy</a>, director, Emerge Action Fund</li>
<li><a href="https://www.drurygroupllc.com/leadership">Liz Kurantowicz</a>, Republican analyst and owner, The Drury Group</li>
<li><a href="https://www.narrative-project.com/about-us">Mercy Quaye</a>, founder and CEO, The Narrative Project</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

Making the candidate: How politicians can stand out in 2026

In the weeks leading up to the midterm elections, Connecticut Public surveyed listeners about the issues they care about.

After sorting through almost 350 responses, it’s clear that affordability and economic challenges are major concerns for most respondents. Many folks also shared that they feel anxious about the viability of our democracy and the lack of access to healthcare.

Today on The Wheelhouse, hear experts put these key election issues into context. And hear directly from some of the people who participated in Connecticut Public’s election survey.

Guests:
P.R. Lockhart, economic development reporter, CT Mirror
Bilal Sekou, associate professor of politics and government
Ebong Udoma, senior reporter, WSHU
Amanda Becker, national reporter, The 19th News

In the weeks leading up to the midterm elections, Connecticut Public surveyed listeners about the issues they care about.
After sorting through almost 350 responses, it&rsquo;s clear that affordability and economic challenges are major concerns for most respondents. Many folks also shared that they feel anxious about the viability of our democracy and the lack of access to healthcare.
Today on The Wheelhouse, hear experts put these key election issues into context. And hear directly from some of the people who participated in Connecticut Public&rsquo;s election survey.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/plockhart/">P.R. Lockhart</a>, economic development reporter, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://www.hartford.edu/directory/hillyer/sekou-bilal.aspx">Bilal Sekou</a>, associate professor of politics and government</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wshu.org/people/ebong-udoma">Ebong Udoma</a>, senior reporter, WSHU</li>
<li><a href="https://19thnews.org/author/amanda-becker/">Amanda Becker</a>, national reporter, The 19th News</li>
</ul>

Survey says: CT voters care about affordability, healthcare and democracy ahead of midterm elections

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>

Making the candidate: How politicians can stand out in 2026

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