In this very special video episode of ‘Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,’ a panel of local political experts analyze the state races happening this year in the Valley — and make predictions about which candidates will emerge victorious on Nov. 3 (or, given the circumstances of COVID-19 and absentee ballots, at some point after Nov. 3).
Click play to watch the video, which was recorded Wednesday, Oct. 28.
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Random but important voting info: Click here to find your polling location! Also, if you filled out your absentee ballot but didn’t mail it to your town of city hall, you should drop it in a ballot collection box outside your city or town hall instead of using the mail, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.
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The Questions
In the video above, the panelists discuss:
— Whether President Trump’s name on the ballot will help or hinder state Sen. George Logan’s chances of re-election.
— Which towns are considered ‘battleground towns’ in the Logan-Cabrera race.
— Whether state Rep. Kara Rochelle’s yes vote on the police accountability bill will cost her votes, or whether her experience as an incumbent will carry the day.
— Which candidate has the best chance of replacing state Rep. Themis Klarides.
Click play to watch!

An image from the Zoom show.
The Panelists
The guest on the Valley Indy Navel Gazing Election Preview include:
Stephan Behuniak, chairman of the Seymour Democratic Town Committee and a former member of the Seymour Board of Selectmen
Leslie Navarrete, former chairwoman of the Ansonia Democratic Town Committee and a member of the Connecticut Hispanic Democratic Caucus
Judy Szewczyk, a member of the Derby Republican Town Committee since 2001 and treasurer for candidate Dan DeBarba’s campaign
Dr. Jonathan Wharton, an associate professor of political science and urban affairs at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, and a former Republican state party committee member
The audio-only podcast version is below. It’s also available on iTunes and all major podcast platforms.
This podcast is sponsored by ValleyGivesBack.org.
