The 2026 midterm elections are still weeks away, but voters are already sending signals about what November could look like.

Across the country, primary races are testing the strength of party establishments, the appeal of moderate candidates and the enthusiasm of Democratic and Republican voters.

This hour, we explore what’s happening in states from Maine to Michigan, and what those contests reveal about the broader political landscape.

Plus, what both parties need to do between now and November to turn primary results into general election wins.

Guests:
Liz Goodwin, national political reporter for The Washington Post
Alec Hernández, politics reporter, POLITICO
Andy Sullivan, deputy editor for politics, Reuters 

The 2026 midterm elections are still weeks away, but voters are already sending signals about what November could look like.
Across the country, primary races are testing the strength of party establishments, the appeal of moderate candidates and the enthusiasm of Democratic and Republican voters.
This hour, we explore what&rsquo;s happening in states from Maine to Michigan, and what those contests reveal about the broader political landscape.
Plus, what both parties need to do between now and November to turn primary results into general election wins.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/liz-goodwin/">Liz Goodwin</a>, national political reporter for The Washington Post</li>
<li><a href="https://www.politico.com/staff/alec-hernandez">Alec Hern&aacute;ndez</a>, politics reporter, POLITICO</li>
<li><a href="https://www.reuters.com/authors/andy-sullivan/">Andy Sullivan</a>, deputy editor for politics, Reuters&nbsp;</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

What the primaries tell us about November midterms

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>

Where does climate progress stand amid federal rollbacks?

Before you toss the latest campaign mailer into the recycling bin, take a look.

You might notice a new buzzy campaign issue splashed across the ad: AI Data Centers.

According to NPR’s analysis of political advertising data, mentions of AI data centers in campaign materials are increasing – up from just a handful in January to 164 in August.

The research shows a bipartisan effort to warn the public about the construction of AI data centers throughout the U.S.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore AI data centers and their impact on the environment and the 2026 midterm elections.

Guests:
Julia Tilton, energy and climate reporter, The Daily Yonder
Grant Blankenship, multimedia editor and reporter, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Kenneth Gillingham, professor of environmental and energy economics, Yale School of the Environment
Tony Adili, zoning enforcement officer, town of Morris, Connecticut

Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this survey.

Before you toss the latest campaign mailer into the recycling bin, take a look.
You might notice a new buzzy campaign issue splashed across the ad: AI Data Centers.
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/09/05/nx-s1-5913671/ai-data-center-campaign-spending">NPR&rsquo;s analysis</a>&nbsp;of political advertising data, mentions of AI data centers in campaign materials are increasing &ndash; up from just a handful in January to 164 in August.
The research shows a bipartisan effort to warn the public about the construction of AI data centers throughout the U.S.
Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore AI data centers and their impact on the environment and the 2026 midterm elections.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://dailyyonder.com/author-julia-tilton/">Julia Tilton</a>, energy and climate reporter, The Daily Yonder</li>
<li><a href="https://www.gpb.org/author/grant-blankenship?instance_overrides_key=_LhpAhkvwaGHvLa482iFc_mBo9zy5x4qAm3UeMK-HfQ&amp;page=3">Grant Blankenship</a>, multimedia editor and reporter, Georgia Public Broadcasting</li>
<li><a href="https://environment.yale.edu/directory/faculty/kenneth-gillingham">Kenneth Gillingham</a>, professor of environmental and energy economics, Yale School of the Environment</li>
<li><a href="https://www.morrisct.gov/entities/planning-zoning-commission">Tony Adili</a>, zoning enforcement officer, town of Morris, Connecticut</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>.

What the primaries tell us about November midterms

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