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

Can I afford that big summer vacation?

It’s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May that costs were up 3.8%. Moody’s – a financial services company – tells CNBC that the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year.

We'll explore how public policy and politics are impacting consumer spending this summer.

Guests:
Mark Blyth, professor of international and public affairs, Brown University
Rachel Lenda, director of tourism, Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development
David Standridge, chef, The Shipwright's Daughter restaurant
Paul Brault, owner, Lobster Tales food truck

Can I afford that big summer vacation?
It&rsquo;s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">reported in May</a>&nbsp;that costs were up 3.8%. Moody&rsquo;s &ndash; a financial services company &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/29/energy-costs-inflation-iran-war-trump.html">tells CNBC</a>&nbsp;that the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year.
We'll explore how public policy and politics are impacting consumer spending this summer.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://home.watson.brown.edu/people/faculty/watson-faculty/mark-blyth">Mark Blyth</a>, professor of international and public affairs, Brown University</li>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/decd/content/statewide-marketing-tourism/06_about_office_statewide_marketing_tourism/about-office-statewide-marketing-tourism/contact">Rachel Lenda,</a>&nbsp;director of tourism, Connecticut&rsquo;s Department of Economic and Community Development</li>
<li><a href="https://www.shipwrightsdaughter.com/team">David Standridge</a>, chef, The Shipwright's Daughter restaurant</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lobstertalesfoodtruck/">Paul Brault</a>, owner, Lobster Tales food truck</li>
</ul>

Policy and politics are hitting CT families with rising summer costs

Connecticut lawmakers have expanded protections for undocumented migrants.

They passed a law earlier this year that could keep the migrants from being picked up by federal law enforcement in a way state lawmakers say is unlawful.

The state law comes while the federal judicial system is flooded with new cases as U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officers detain thousands of people.

Hear from Politico reporter Kyle Cheney on how federal judges are pushing back against the detentions and from Connecticut Public reporter Daniela Doncel on the state’s efforts to turn back enforcement efforts.

Guests:
Kyle Cheney, senior legal affairs reporter, Politico
Daniela Doncel, Latino communities reporter, Connecticut Public
Mike Lawlor, the associate dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven

Connecticut lawmakers have expanded protections for undocumented migrants.
They passed a law&nbsp;<a href="https://cga.ct.gov/2026/act/pa/pdf/2026PA-00014-R00SB-00397-PA.pdf">earlier this year</a>&nbsp;that could keep the migrants from being picked up by federal law enforcement in a way state lawmakers say is unlawful.
The state law comes while the federal judicial system&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/13/mandatory-detention-ice-cases-rulings-database-00913988?_sp_pass_consent=true">is flooded with new cases</a>&nbsp;as U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officers detain thousands of people.
Hear from Politico reporter Kyle Cheney on how federal judges are pushing back against the detentions and from Connecticut Public reporter Daniela Doncel on the state&rsquo;s efforts to turn back enforcement efforts.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.politico.com/staff/kyle-cheney">Kyle Cheney</a>, senior legal affairs reporter, Politico</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/daniela-doncel">Daniela Doncel</a>, Latino communities reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://www.newhaven.edu/faculty-staff-profiles/michael-lawlor.php">Mike Lawlor</a>, the associate dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven</li>
</ul>

How federal judges and CT lawmakers are pushing back against Trump's immigration agenda

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Journey inside the mind of a lawmaker on the next Wheelhouse as we tap into the experience of a panel of politicians with more than 80 years of combined experience serving the people of Connecticut. We’ll ask about bipartisanship and the challenges or reaching across the aisle in 2026.

Journey inside the mind of a lawmaker on the next Wheelhouse as we tap into the experience of a panel of politicians with more than 80 years of combined experience serving the people of Connecticut. We&rsquo;ll ask about bipartisanship and the challenges or reaching across the aisle in 2026.

Making the candidate: How politicians can stand out in 2026

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