Podcast
The Horse Race
Hosted by Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith · EN
Your weekly update on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Putting The Horse Race Out to Pasture
3w ago00:36:58Tap to summarizeThis week on The Horse Race is the last week on The Horse Race. That's right folks, its the final episode! We've crunched the numbers: 400 episodes published, 3 million trivia points doled, 75 titles and accolades awarded, and one "giddyup" from Jenn. Jenn and Steve leave you all this week with a look forward, a discussion about the democratic wave sweeping the country and what's next for #mapoli. If you are feeling as nostalgic as we are, below are a few of our favorite past episodes and shenanigans. Thanks all for all for listening. And with that, it's off to the glue factory. .Official Mass Polka Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fA_TUGqLbY.Lisa's Last Rodeohttps://pod.link/1287252103/episode/dGFnOnNvdW5kY2xvdWQsMjAxMDp0cmFja3MvMTgzOTIyNzk0MA .Make Way for Dunkin'https://pod.link/1287252103/episode/dGFnOnNvdW5kY2xvdWQsMjAxMDp0cmFja3MvMTgwNzg3MDk1MA . The Horse Race State Song Sing-alonghttps://pod.link/1287252103/episode/dGFnOnNvdW5kY2xvdWQsMjAxMDp0cmFja3MvMTMwNDY3NjcyNA.A Trot Down Memory Lanehttps://pod.link/1287252103/episode/dGFnOnNvdW5kY2xvdWQsMjAxMDp0cmFja3MvMTA0NzgxMzk3MA.The Horse Race LIVE at the Races Part 1: Shannon Firehttps://pod.link/1287252103/episode/dGFnOnNvdW5kY2xvdWQsMjAxMDp0cmFja3MvNjM1Nzc5MTQz
Transcribe →Polling the void: Chatbots as human substitutes
Apr 900:35:08Tap to summarizeDo we need humans to gather public opinion anymore? This week, Steve and Jenn are joined by Rich Parr, VP of the MassINC Polling Group, to stare into the abyss of "silicon sampling" and what it means for polling. How is it done? How accurate is it? Should you have to disclose the fact that your public opinion research did not include... the public? https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/06/opinion/ai-polling.html https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/political-analysis/article/out-of-one-many-using-language-models-to-simulate-human-samples/035D7C8A55B237942FB6DBAD7CAA4E4
Transcribe →Donald’s Enmity and Intrusion
Apr 200:32:21Tap to summarizeFor the first time in history, a sitting president attended a supreme court hearing. Trump refused to pick up a 48-ounce bucket of iced coffee for Justice Kavanaugh, even though Dunkin' was "on the way." Steve and Jenn discuss the historic hearing and surprising polling trends on birthright citizenship. Then, Jenn debriefs from a joint committee hearing on the racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion..2018 Press release Seed MA Baby .Learn more about Benchmark Strategies .The MassINC Polling Group .thehorseracepodcast@gmail.com
Transcribe →Neigh Sayers
Mar 2600:32:31Tap to summarizeLast week, a hangry joint committee heard from proponents of two proposed ballot measures aimed at lowering housing costs. This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve chat about a pattern of flabbergastedness from some legislators at the hearings as they try to reconcile the various approaches to reigning in housing costs. Somebody Uber Eats a Dunkin' "I Dough" box to Beacon Hill, quick!Previous episode with background on ballot measures: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-balloting-act/id1287252103?i=1000754830264
Transcribe →Gas-tly Numbers
Mar 1900:27:59Tap to summarizeThis week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss polling on the war in Iran, gas prices, and Trump's economy. Then, a twist in the ballot question saga: the Mass. Senate evokes their constitutional right to "Phone a Friend" at the SJC. And finally, the final boss of beverages, the Ranch Dressing Milkshake.
Transcribe →A Balloting Act
Mar 1200:29:29Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a proposed ballot measure receives legal challenges? This week on The Horse Race, Chris Lisinski puts down his Espresso Protein-i to join Jenn and Steve for an update on the ballot measure parade and the legal challenges they are facing.
Transcribe →"No Longer Invisible" with Dr. Watanabe [Archive Interview]
Mar 500:23:12Tap to summarizeIn this archive episode, Jenn and Steve are joined by Paul Watanabe, professor of political science and director of the Institute for Asian American Studies at the UMass-Boston, to discuss a groundbreaking poll from Mass Inc. Polling Group entitled "No Longer Invisible." This poll focussed on issues facing Asian & Pacific Islander American residents of Massachusetts, the fastest growing group in the Commonwealth. Originally aired: 06/05/2025 as "Episode 352: Elections, and Polling, and Donuts! Oh My! (ft. Dr Watanabe)"
Transcribe →The Stats of the Union
Feb 2600:32:44Tap to summarizeThe annual State of the Union speech gives pollsters a chance to see how the president is doing. Lots of data comes out around this time telling us how Americans are feeling about the President, the country, and one another. This week on The Horse Race, Steve is joined by Rich Parr, VP of the MassINC Polling Group to nerd out about all the stats and trends that this remarkable State of the Union revealed.
Transcribe →McGovernmental Authority, with U.S. Rep Jim McGovern
Feb 1900:31:01Tap to summarizeCan congress to do... anything? This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela is joined by Congressman Jim McGovern to discuss whats fundamentally wrong with congress and what can be done to fix it. Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group Guests: Congressman Jim McGovern Rich Parr, Vice President of the MassINC Polling Group Further Reading: House Rejects McGovern’s Bipartisan War Powers Resolution, Shamefully Surrendering More Power to the White HouseMcGovern Announces Statewide End Hunger Now Tour, Slams Trump’s Big Ugly Bill for Making Hunger WorseBoston Mayor Wu sending Seattle kids to expensive World Cup after Patriots’ Super Bowl lossFoxborough stalls FIFA World Cup entertainment license over $7.8M security bill
Transcribe →Ep 383: Material Misstatements, with Mass. Auditor Diana DiZoglio
Feb 1200:38:22Tap to summarizeOver a year ago, 72% of Massachusetts voters affirmed the Mass. state Auditor’s authority to audit the legislature. This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by Mass. Auditor DiZoglio to talk about her ongoing efforts, including a lawsuit and a ballot measure, to force compliance from the legislature. Next, Steve discusses a new poll conducted by the MassINC Polling Group and The Boston Globe on the devastating effects of NIH grant funding cuts. And finally, our beloved hosts ride into the Seaport sunset atop Mr. Potato Head. Guests: Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts state Auditor Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group Jennifer Smith, senior reporter for CommonWealth Beacon Further Reading: Explore the full results of the MassINC Polling Group/Boston Globe survey of NIH grant recipients Rhode Island May Retire Its Mr. Potato Head License Plates as Hasbro Heads to Boston
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