The Wheelhouse

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 Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.