This election cycle has been perilous for many Democratic incumbents in Congress. Just look at the primary losses of ten-term U.S. Reps. Michael Capuano and Joseph Crowley next door in Massachusetts and New York.
Yet members of Connecticut's all-Democratic congressional delegation are well on their way to being re-elected. The one exception is U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty who dropped her bid for a third term due to a singular scandal.
This week we consider why Democrats remain loyal to U.S. Reps. John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, and Jim Himes. None were primaried.
Neither was U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy. Instead he's spending much of the more than $13 million he's raised this cycle on races other than his own reelection bid against Republican challenger Matthew Corey.
What lies ahead for them, in terms of leadership positions, if Democrats retake control of the U.S. House or Senate?
We also critique Monday's gubernatorial debate in New Haven. GOP nominee Bob Stefanowski stayed on message all night. He repeatedly insisted that he would cut the state's income tax, and Democratic rival Ned Lamont would not. Can Lamont counter that?
Finally, we zoom in on the lieutenant governor race between Democrat Susan Bysiewicz and Republican Joe Markley. How well do they match up with their parties' trajectory and messaging?
GUESTS:
- Jonathan Wharton - Assistant Professor of Political Science & Urban Affairs at Southern Connecticut State University (@PreppyProf)
- Kaitlyn Krasselt - A Political reporter at Hearst Connecticut Media (@kaitlynkrasselt)
- Russell Blair - Metro desk content editor at the Hartford Courant (@RussellBlairCT)