Connections

Democrats make a case for centrism

By Evan Dawson,

Megan Mack, Julie Williams

Published November 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM EST

Three men wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: the man at left has short white hair and is wearing glasses, a blue and white checked button-down shirt, a dark suit jacket and a pin; the man at center has short grey hair and is wearing black glasses, a black turtleneck, and a beige suit coat; the man at right has short dark hair and is wearing a blue floral button-down shirt and jeans — Howard Maffucci and John Baynes with host Evan Dawson on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Thursday, November 13, 2025

Move to the middle!

That's the plea from many Democrats who feel that the rightward shift by the Republican Party has left a big opening.

We discuss the case for steady centrism at a time when bolder ideas are getting attention.

Our guests:

John Baynes, Monroe County legislator for District 11
Howard Maffucci, Monroe County legislator for District 10

Connections

Evan Dawson

Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.

See stories by Evan Dawson

Megan Mack

Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.

See stories by Megan Mack

Julie Williams

Julie Williams is an associate producer for "Connections with Evan Dawson." She started at WXXI in 2019 and has been working on Connections since 2022.

See stories by Julie Williams