Despite the many GOP losses in Connecticut races last election, state Republican insiders Tuesday night granted J.R. Romano a two-year extension as party chairman. In the end, only one challenger stepped up to oppose him. The vote wasn't even close.

This week, we take measure of how Romano managed to hold onto the post, the hurdles he faces to make GOP candidates more competitive, and the role of state party chairs at a time when campaign dollars increasingly flow from sources outside their control.

We also revisit UConn's costly quest to become a football powerhouse as it considers joining a reconstituted Big East Conference firmly built around basketball. Is it time to finally throw in the towel on the path to gridiron glory?

And we consider the implications of U.S. Rep. Jim Himes breaking with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on whether to move forward with the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Despite the many GOP losses in Connecticut races last election, state Republican insiders Tuesday night granted J.R. Romano a two-year extension as party chairman. In the end, only one challenger stepped up to oppose him. <a href="https://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/20190625_romano_overwhelmingly_re-elected_to_third_term/">The vote wasn't even close</a>.
This week, we take measure of how Romano managed to hold onto the post, the hurdles he faces to make GOP candidates more competitive, and the <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2019/06/25/at-crossroads-the-ct-gop-to-elect-its-leader/">role of state party chairs</a> at a time when campaign dollars increasingly flow from sources outside their control.
We also revisit UConn's costly quest to become a football powerhouse as it <a href="https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/hc-sp-uconn-big-east-attorney-general-20190626-20190625-bmeqlslbujgpfjqmxs2434fcku-story.html">considers joining a reconstituted Big East Conference</a> firmly built around basketball. Is it time to finally <a href="https://www.middletownpress.com/sports/article/Jeff-Jacobs-Move-to-Big-East-could-be-right-14030991.php">throw in the towel</a> on the path to gridiron glory?
And we consider the implications of U.S. Rep. Jim Himes <a href="https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-jim-himes-trump-impeachment-20190624-mnyx4n4pnjahrfsa7kekyisilu-story.html">breaking with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi</a> on whether to move forward with the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

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.

Advertisement