The race for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district is underway. This hour, we ask candidates Jim Himes (D-Conn.)–and two challengers, Republican Michael Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley–where they stand on the issues. For the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse will feature a series of candidate interviews. We’ll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. Each candidate will have an equal amount of time to talk one-on-one with host Frankie Graziano, followed by some analysis from our guest panelists. GUESTS: Rep. Jim Himes , (D-Conn.) Michael Goldstein, Candidate for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district Benjamin Wesley, Candidate for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district Andy Blye, Reporter, Greenwich Time Ebong Udoma, Senior political reporter, WSHU Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, we talk with the candidates for Connecticut’s fifth congressional district: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes and challenger George Logan. And later, our panel of guests share their insights on what the candidates had to say. GUESTS: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, (D-Conn.) George Logan, Republican candidate for Connecticut’s 5th congressional district Livi Stanford, Reporter for Republican-American Lisa Hagen, Federal policy reporter for CT Mirror and CT Public Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every four years, we’re reminded of the power of the Electoral College. But according to a recent poll by Pew Research Center, more than 6 out of 10 Americans would prefer to see the winner of the presidential election be the person who wins the most votes nationally. This hour, we take a granular look at the Electoral College. We’ll ask questions like why do we have it? And why is it so difficult to get rid of? Plus, in Connecticut, no-excuse absentee voting is on the ballot. We’ll unpack what this means for voters across the state. GUESTS: Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University. He hosts the podcast “Amarica’s Constitution” and wrote the book “The Words That Made Us: America’s Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840” Geoffrey Skelley, Senior Elections Analyst at FiveThirtyEight John Moritz, State Reporter, CT Insider/Hearst Connecticut Media Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The race for Connecticut’s third congressional district is underway. This hour, we ask candidates Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and challenger, Michael Massey, a Republican, where they stand on the issues. For the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse will feature a series of candidate interviews. We’ll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. Each candidate will have an equal amount of time to talk one-on-one with host Frankie Graziano, followed by some analysis from our guest panelists. GUESTS: Rep. Rosa DeLauro, (D-Conn.) Michael Massey, Candidate for Connecticut’s 3rd congressional district Bilal Sekou: Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford Mercy Quaye: Founder and President at The Narrative Project; Columnist for CT Mirror and Editor of CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off a series of candidate interviews today on The Wheelhouse. For the next few weeks, we'll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. Each candidate will have an equal amount of time to talk one-on-one with host Frankie Graziano, followed by some analysis from our guest panelists. This hour, we ask candidates for Connecticut’s 1st congressional district where they stand on the issues: Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) and challenger, Republican Jim Griffin. GUESTS: Rep. John Larson, (D-Conn.) Jim Griffin, seeking election for Connecticut’s 1st congressional district Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief and a co-founder of CT Mirror Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3 Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Debate between vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump highlighted how immigration is being sensationalized to score votes. Trump says that “dangerous” migrants are contributing to an overall spike in crime in the United States. But, the FBI reports that violent crime has decreased. He also says that 21 million people have recently entered the country illegally, despite federal law enforcement reporting a smaller number. Today on the Wheelhouse, the use of immigration misinformation on the campaign trail. Also, an increase in public benefits charges has many Connecticut residents complaining about their electric bills. We’ll discuss what state politicians are saying about the rate increases. GUESTS: Charles Venator-Santiago, Associate professor of political science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut Maria Sacchetti, reporter covering immigrant communities, The Washington Post Dan Haar, Senior editor and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media Group Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In advance of the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there were negotiations over live microphones and arguments over who could attend. There was even a debate over what network it should be put on. Historically, debates offer an opportunity for political candidates to provide substantive details about their platforms. But in 2024, more attention is paid to spectacle. Now that the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is over, is it time to focus on the importance of debates and the substance intended to be offered to the American people? Today on The Wheelhouse, the evolution of public political discourse. GUESTS: Dr. Bilal Sekou, Associate professor of politics and government, University of Hartford Jonathan Wharton, Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University Julian E. Zelizer, Professor of history and public affairs, Princeton University Kathryn Cramer Brownell, Associate professor of history, Purdue University Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public safety and the sanctity of the ballot are top of mind for election officials during the lead up to November. This hour, we take a look at how some officials are preparing during an especially fraught election year. GUESTS: Rachael Cobb, Associate Professor of Political Science & Legal Studies, Suffolk University Tina Barton, Senior Elections Expert, The Elections Group Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During a recent speech given by former President Donald Trump, he promised that, if elected, he would cut federal funding for any schools with a vaccine or mask mandate. His promises highlight the continued politicization of CDC-recommended public health best-practices. This hour, we look at anti-vaccine rhetoric and how it impacts communities in Connecticut and beyond.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a whirlwind few weeks, Democrats are gathering in Chicago to formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate. This week on The Wheelhouse, Colin McEnroe guest-hosts a special check-in on how the Democratic National Convention is going. GUESTS: Dan Haar, columnist and senior editor, Hearst Connecticut Media Group Leah Wright Rigueur, Associate Professor of History, John Hopkins University Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief and co-founder of CT Mirror Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We asked our listeners what issues are on their minds, and they answered the call! The week on The Wheelhouse, what exactly is Project 2025? And why is Donald Trump distancing himself from it?Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we’re exploring politics and generational theory. That’s the belief that every generation has a unique set of shared beliefs. As voters across all age groups get ready to head to the polls in November, what politicians and historical events have shaped the way they will cast their votes? Pictured above are (L-R, top row) Cedar Greve, Randy Weis, Antic Cone, Preston Siroka, and Lisa Sorge. (L-R, bottom row) Shaniya Cone, Samuel Zwick-Lavinsky, Liliana Restrepo, Luanne Sforza, and Valerie Fallon. GUESTS: Sally Friedman, Associate professor of political science, University at Albany Jean Twenge, Professor of psychology, San Diego State University Elena Moore, Reporter, Washington desk, NPR Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.