Jonathan L. Wharton

Connecticut, New Haven

Op-Ed contributors at CT News Junkie

Columnist at Hearst Connecticut Media Group

@SCSUPoliSci professor, @insider_ct columnist. https://t.co/0AiQZIxpZR, https://t.co/Y7ncE299Aq

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Articles

New Haven's season to thrive

1 week ago | ctinsider.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

Sometimes it takes others to realize what you have in your own backyard. This time of year, New Haven comes alive and I was fortunate to have a New Jersey friend in town as we ventured around the Elm City last weekend. As a student of urban politics, I tend to forget why I appreciate pedestrian promenades and walkable streetscapes which can be designated areas for outdoor dining, shopping, and socializing.
Jonathan Wharton (opinion): Connecticut’s public higher ed demands more attention

3 weeks ago | sheltonherald.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

Since it’s become an annual ritual for me to focus on Connecticut’s higher education, I admit that I waited until May because the General Assembly offered their budget only a couple of weeks ago, which challenges the budget caps or fiscal guardrails particularly for financing education. As many know, our governors offer their budget at the beginning of the legislative session and lawmakers counter with their own this time of year.
Jonathan Wharton (opinion): Connecticut’s public higher ed demands more attention

3 weeks ago | nhregister.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

Since it’s become an annual ritual for me to focus on Connecticut’s higher education, I admit that I waited until May because the General Assembly offered their budget only a couple of weeks ago, which challenges the budget caps or fiscal guardrails particularly for financing education. As many know, our governors offer their budget at the beginning of the legislative session and lawmakers counter with their own this time of year.
Jonathan Wharton (opinion): Connecticut’s public higher ed demands more attention

3 weeks ago | ncadvertiser.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

Terrence Cheng, Chancellor Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), speaks during a joint forum of the higher education and government oversight committees at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
Connecticut's public higher ed demands more attention

3 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

Since it's become an annual ritual for me to focus on Connecticut's higher education, I admit that I waited until May because the General Assembly offered their budget only a couple of weeks ago, which challenges the budget caps or fiscal guardrails particularly for financing education. As many know, our governors offer their budget at the beginning of the legislative session and lawmakers counter with their own this time of year.
Will Dems go after their own Congressional incumbents?

1 month ago | ctinsider.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

Many students and friends often chide me for being a political institutionalist as I believe in processes and systems, especially as wayward as Congress and political parties have become this century. The notion of disrupting the status quo or being "insurgents" (as political scientists label such candidates) is hardly an approach I support, especially as a former congressional staffer and ex-party leader.
Was Booker's strategy to bring light to Trump's policies or attention to himself?

1 month ago | ctinsider.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

Since U.S Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., led his marathon speech against the Trump administration on the Senate floor last month, I had countless texts and discussions about his legislative tactic. His 25-hour speech was record-breaking, defeating U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond's 24-hour filibuster against the 1957 Civil Rights Act. Booker never left the floor, but it was not a filibuster since he did not delay floor votes or appointments.
Challenging Chuck Schumer? Good luck

2 months ago | ctinsider.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

It seems much of the media and many Democrats are publicly attacking and suggest challenging U.S. Sen. and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in light of his approving the Republican budgetary stop-gap bill and preventing a government shutdown. I've been watching and reading much of this scuttlebutt regarding his decision-making as well as various Democrat progressives' responses against the longtime party official. Even the notion to run candidates against Schumer and having U.S. Sen.
Jonathan L. Wharton (opinion): Bridgeport election saga continues ... and continues

2 months ago | nhregister.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

Entirely too often, I’m asked by Bridgeport residents and Connecticut political watchers what is happening in our state’s largest city. Depending on events that week or month, I am just as stumped as to Bridgeport’s politics and what will be next. I’ll offer a less-than-precise answer out of my stance of hardly judging local politics as well as Bridgeport being unpredictable.
Jonathan Wharton (opinion): Feb. 'tis the season for breaking resolutions

Feb 3, 2025 | ctinsider.com | Jonathan L. Wharton

January finally ended, and my new year resolution tracking remains disconcerting especially past “quitter’s day” or Jan.10, when many of us no longer pursue our resolutions. I rarely admit resolutions to friends and family, as resolutions are personal goals. Recent reports and surveys indicate Americans usually break resolutions by mid-January because of overwhelming goals and consistent rituals.