CCM and WTNH News 8 to Host 2026 Connecticut Gubernatorial Debate at Annual Convention
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), in partnership with WTNH News 8, will once-again host the 2026 Connecticut Gubernatorial Debate. The debate will take place October 27 and be aired live on WTNH during CCM’s Annual Convention at Mohegan Sun: just one week before Election Day. The event will mark the final opportunity for voters to hear from top gubernatorial candidates together on one stage before ballots are cast.
The forum will offer candidates one final opportunity to outline their vision for Connecticut’s future and to address the challenges confronting families, employers, and communities across our state. These pressures underscore the urgency of strengthening economic opportunity, modernizing public systems, and ensuring that opportunity in Connecticut remains accessible and sustainable for every resident and community.
“The next Governor will step into office at a pivotal moment for Connecticut’s cities and towns,” said Joe DeLong, Executive Director and CEO of CCM. “Our communities are on the front lines of the affordability crisis. Property taxpayers are carrying too much of the load, and towns are being asked to do more with less. The audience of local leaders will want to hear plans for adequately funding and modernizing public education, delivering meaningful property tax relief, and addressing cost drivers like mandates and pension cost shifts that strain local budgets.”
Connecticut faces a convergence of challenges that are testing the resilience of its residents, businesses, and students alike. Families continue to grapple with rising housing, energy, healthcare, and everyday living costs that strain household budgets and intensify concerns about long-term affordability. This debate will focus on the statewide issues that will define the next four years.
Potential High-profile issues facing the candidates:
Affordability & Cost of Living: Strategies to address rising household costs, wage growth, tax burdens, and economic competitiveness.
Education & Workforce Development: Ensuring high-quality public education, strengthening workforce pipelines, and aligning funding systems - including Education Cost Sharing (ECS) - with student needs and economic realities.
Housing & Economic Growth: Expanding housing opportunities, supporting job creation, and balancing statewide priorities with community needs.
State & Local Fiscal Stability: Promoting responsible budgeting, long-term pension stability, and sustainable funding structures.
Infrastructure & Climate Resilience: Investing in transportation, flood mitigation, energy reliability, and climate adaptation in order to protect residents and support growth.
Public Safety & Health & Care: Strengthening support systems, enhancing resources and investing in patient care to meet rising demands while also ensuring systems accountability and effectiveness.
“News 8 is proud to partner with The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities to bring the people of Connecticut this key gubernatorial debate just one week before Election Day,” said Rich Graziano, Vice President and General Manager of WTNH/WCTX. “We will provide comprehensive coverage on all platforms so that viewers will be able to watch the debate the way they want. The voters in our great state can trust News 8 as their local election headquarters.”
Municipal officials from across the state, along with business leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders, are expected to attend CCM’s Annual Convention and debate evening, ensuring a broad and engaged audience for this critical pre-election conversation.
Additional details, including debate format and participant information, will be announced in the coming months.