‘Approaching the Elections' Quinnipiac University Webinar

HAMDEN, CT – Political journalist Ron Brownstein and Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill will discuss, “Approaching the Elections in the Midst of the Economic, Political and Racial Strife of 2020,” with Doug Schwartz, associate vice president of the Quinnipiac University Poll, at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.

The virtual event, which is free and open to the public, is part of “The Way Forward: The Quinnipiac President’s Speaker Series.”

Click here to register.

“The 2020 race is unprecedented in both its issues and the circumstances around just being able to cast a ballot,” Schwartz said. “We are fortunate to have one of the best political journalists in the country break down the state of the race while also getting an inside look from Connecticut’s Secretary of the State about what’s being done to make sure voters can safely cast their ballots and make them count.”

Brownstein, a CNN senior political analyst, regularly appears across the network's programming, including its special political coverage.

He is Atlantic Media's editorial director for strategic partnerships. Brownstein also coordinates political coverage and activities across publications produced by Atlantic Media, and writes a weekly column and other pieces for the National Journal. His work has been featured in Quartz and The Atlantic as well.

Brownstein was twice named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the 1996 and 2004 presidential campaigns. In addition, he has received several journalism awards, including the Exceptional Merit in Media award from the National Women's Political Caucus, the Excellence in Media award from the National Council on Public Polls in 2005, and the Journalist of the Year award from the Los Angeles Press Club in 2005. In 2007, the American Political Science Association presented Brownstein with its Carey McWilliams award for lifetime achievement.
Merrill was elected to her third term as secretary of the state on Nov. 6, 2018. As the state’s chief elections official and business registrar, Merrill has focused on modernizing and improving Connecticut's elections, business services and access to public records.

Prior to her election as secretary of the state, Merrill represented Mansfield and Chaplin for 17 years in the Connecticut General Assembly, and served as the house majority leader from 2009-11. In a 2009 poll conducted by Connecticut Magazine, Merrill was named by her legislative colleagues as "Most Respected by the Other Side of the Aisle" and "Most Effective Legislator."

“The Way Forward: The Quinnipiac President’s Speaker Series” features thoughtful conversations about today’s social, economic and health challenges, and the trailblazing ideas that will drive solutions for tomorrow.