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The Full Story

Unaffiliated voters, independent candidates and the two-party system

By Fatou Sangare,
Tom Kuser, Sophie Camizzi, Ann Lopez
Published December 16, 2022 at 7:00 PM EST
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In this photo provided by WTNH, Connecticut gubernatorial candidates Independent Rob Hotaling, second from left, Democratic incumbent Governor Ned Lamont, center, and Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski participate in a debate Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Anthony Quinn
/
WTNH via AP
In this photo provided by WTNH, Connecticut gubernatorial candidates Independent Rob Hotaling, second from left, Democratic incumbent Governor Ned Lamont, center, and Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski participate in a debate Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Many voters in Connecticut are not connected to any political party.   About 42% of all registered voters in the state are unaffiliated.  That’s more than one million people. But are they really unaffiliated?   The results of the 2022 midterm elections tell a different story. 

In the governor's race, most of the votes went to Democrat Governor Ned Lamont and Republican candidate, Bob Stefanowski.  The Independent Party candidate, Robert Hotaling, won only 1% of the vote. So what does it mean to be “unaffiliated” in Connecticut and is there really momentum for a viable third-party candidate? We’ll find out on The Full Story.

GUESTS:

Dr. Gary Rose, Chairman of the Department of Government at Sacred Heart University

DR GARY ROSE INTERVIEW.mp3

Rob Hotaling, 2022 gubernatorial Independent party candidate

ROB HOTALING INTERVIEW.mp3

Kenneth J. Krayeske, Green Party for Attorney General

KENNETH J KRAYESKE INTERVIEW.mp3

The Full Story
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Fatou Sangare
Fatou Sangare is a former associate producer at WSHU.
See stories by Fatou Sangare
Tom Kuser
Tom has been with WSHU since 1987, after spending 15 years at college and commercial radio and television stations. He became Program Director in 1999, and has been local host of NPR’s Morning Edition since 2000.
See stories by Tom Kuser
Sophie Camizzi
Sophie Camizzi is a current news fellow at WSHU, studying at Sacred Heart University. She is a native of Ansonia, Connecticut.
See stories by Sophie Camizzi
Ann Lopez
Ann is an editor and senior content producer with WSHU, including the founding producer of the weekly talk show, The Full Story.
See stories by Ann Lopez