Connecticut Students Say Governor Race Lacks Youth Outreach
A Quinnipiac poll shows 45% of likely voters know little about challenger Ryan Fazio, while students criticize campaigns for relying on traditional media.
By Elena Perry ·
Connecticut voters face a choice between a 72-year-old incumbent and a 36-year-old challenger, but many young residents say they lack the information needed to make an informed decision. The gap in communication is widening as the state prepares for the general election.
Democrat Ned Lamont currently holds a lead in the race against Republican state Senator Ryan Fazio. A Quinnipiac University poll released on Sept. 16 surveyed 1,288 likely voters and found Lamont ahead with 55% support compared to 38% for Fazio. The same data revealed that 45% of likely voters had not heard enough about Fazio to form an opinion.
Students at state universities argue that campaigns are targeting the wrong media channels. Michael Lacasse, a junior at Central Connecticut State University and registered Democrat, stated that traditional signage is less effective for his generation. He noted that social media platforms are where young people currently consume political content.
Leonard Ramirez, an 18-year-old freshman, agreed that television advertisements miss a large portion of young voters. He suggested that candidates should reduce their reliance on TV spots in favor of digital platforms. Shineil Gray, another freshman, reported receiving most political advertisements through Spotify and urged candidates to discuss policies on TikTok and Instagram to increase engagement.
The state has expanded early voting options for college students this cycle. Polling locations now exist at each of the four state universities, in addition to UConn’s Storrs campus and Fairfield University. In the 2024 cycle, only UConn and Fairfield offered such locations.
Despite these logistical changes, some students feel the messaging remains superficial. Kayla Lembo, a UConn senior majoring in psychology, said she has seen social media ads but not substantive policy details. She described the information she has received as resembling commercial advertisements rather than educational content. Amanda Ross, a UConn major in accounting and political science, said she was unaware the election was approaching until recently.
The Lamont and Fazio campaigns did not respond to requests for comment regarding their strategies for reaching young voters. Several students noted that national media outlets and campaigns have done a better job meeting them on digital platforms. Ibrahim Koraishy, a UConn senior, follows the New York Times and Washington Post on Instagram and receives text updates from national organizations.
Pocketbook issues remain central to student voters, even if candidate details are missing. Ashley Franco and Grace Thomas, both freshmen at CCSU, cited tuition costs, minimum wage, and student loan interest rates as primary concerns. Robbin Smith, chair of the CCSU political science department, said affordability is a major issue for the entire state. Alfredo Rosete, an economics professor at CCSU, argued that information is available if voters seek it out, though he acknowledged that many people hesitate to take the step to find it.
