The Horse Race
@thehorserace.bsky.social
A weekly podcast on Massachusetts politics, policy, and elections. Hosted by @skoczela.bsky.social and @jenndotsmith.bsky.social
This week, State Sen Brendan Crighton joins Steve and Jenn to talk transportation. Could congestion pricing be coming to Boston? open.spotify.com/episode/1DxN...
Spotify – Web Player
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December 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This week, State Sen Brendan Crighton joins Steve and Jenn to talk transportation. Could congestion pricing be coming to Boston? open.spotify.com/episode/1DxN...
This week, a Thanksgiving sides recap; @pressley.house.gov is a NO on #MASen '26; @statehousenews.com @samdrysdale.bsky.social on post-MCAS graduation requirements open.spotify.com/episode/0ULa...
Episode 374: High Stakes Testing: Well Done or Rare?
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December 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This week, a Thanksgiving sides recap; @pressley.house.gov is a NO on #MASen '26; @statehousenews.com @samdrysdale.bsky.social on post-MCAS graduation requirements open.spotify.com/episode/0ULa...
This week, Thanksgiving tracking polls? Plus, the fight over a rent control ballot question; do new polls show Trump's grip on the GOP loosening; and Boston gets its first Michelin star. open.spotify.com/episode/0wyR...
Episode 373: Rant Control
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November 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
This week, Thanksgiving tracking polls? Plus, the fight over a rent control ballot question; do new polls show Trump's grip on the GOP loosening; and Boston gets its first Michelin star. open.spotify.com/episode/0wyR...
New pod: @skoczela.bsky.social returns from Kenya to... an alligator in the Charles? He and @jenndotsmith.bsky.social discuss the shutdown fallout and Trump's abysmal approval numbers. Then, Jenn does not NOT talk about judicial forum shopping. open.spotify.com/episode/7csG...
Episode 372: The Center Folds
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November 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
New pod: @skoczela.bsky.social returns from Kenya to... an alligator in the Charles? He and @jenndotsmith.bsky.social discuss the shutdown fallout and Trump's abysmal approval numbers. Then, Jenn does not NOT talk about judicial forum shopping. open.spotify.com/episode/7csG...
Our post-election wrap-up with @jenndotsmith.bsky.social @skoczela.bsky.social and @richparr79.bsky.social. And for the true sickos, bonus 2026 MA Sen and Gov polling from @umassamherst.bsky.social
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a black and white cartoon of a man holding a sign that says ' sickos ' .
ALT: a black and white cartoon of a man holding a sign that says ' sickos ' .
media.tenor.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Our post-election wrap-up with @jenndotsmith.bsky.social @skoczela.bsky.social and @richparr79.bsky.social. And for the true sickos, bonus 2026 MA Sen and Gov polling from @umassamherst.bsky.social
soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week on Headless Horse Race, a new exit poll; a boo-nicipal election roundup; and the annual candy polling roundup.
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Episode 370: BOO!-nicipal Elections
This week on The (headless) Horse Race, Jenn and Steve talk about a new SSRS exit poll that will be featured in upcoming elections. Then, in this weeks
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October 30, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This week on Headless Horse Race, a new exit poll; a boo-nicipal election roundup; and the annual candy polling roundup.
soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
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Getting it in before the whistle sounds on Friday. Steve and Rich discuss the latest gubernatorial approval ratings; polling on Trump's use of power, including the demolishing the East Wing; plus whether Steve has an alibi for the motorbike jewel heist at the Louvre soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 369: Poll-dozing the East Wing
This week on The Horse Race, before Steve zooms into the distance on a Kenyan motorbike with the crown jewels of France, he chats with Rich Parr, VP of the MassINC Polling Group, about approval rating
soundcloud.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Getting it in before the whistle sounds on Friday. Steve and Rich discuss the latest gubernatorial approval ratings; polling on Trump's use of power, including the demolishing the East Wing; plus whether Steve has an alibi for the motorbike jewel heist at the Louvre soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week: @moulton.house.gov enters the 2026 Senate race against @edmarkey.bsky.social; polling on political violence (h/t @gelliottmorris.com); Trump threatens the World Cup games in Boston, errrr Foxborough? soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 368: Seth rides a pale horse
This week on The Horse Race, Jenn is joined by Rich Parr, VP of the MassINC Polling Group. Shortly before taping, Rep. Seth Moulton joined the race for Senate against Ed Markey. Then Jenn and Rich tal
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October 16, 2025 at 1:41 PM
This week: @moulton.house.gov enters the 2026 Senate race against @edmarkey.bsky.social; polling on political violence (h/t @gelliottmorris.com); Trump threatens the World Cup games in Boston, errrr Foxborough? soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week: Steve and Jenn on @edmarkey.bsky.social's reelection prospects; Rich and Jenn on new MPG polling for Mass Taxpayers Foundation and @abundanthousingma.org; and which state is most excited for spooky season? soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 367: Permanent Markey
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn look at polling on Ed Markey's 2026 reelection prospects. Then Jenn is joined by Rich Parr, VP of the MassINC Polling Group, to discuss recent polling on Ma
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October 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
This week: Steve and Jenn on @edmarkey.bsky.social's reelection prospects; Rich and Jenn on new MPG polling for Mass Taxpayers Foundation and @abundanthousingma.org; and which state is most excited for spooky season? soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week, AI is coming to (or for?) local journalism; @cwbeacon.bsky.social's Chris Lisinski on how the shutdown will impact Massachusetts; and goodbye, dial-up internet soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
A Shutdown Showdown (ft. Chris Lisinski)
Today on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve talk AI's new role in local political reporting. Then Chris Lisinski, reporter for Commonwealth Beacon, joins the program to discuss his latest reporting on the
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October 2, 2025 at 1:13 PM
This week, AI is coming to (or for?) local journalism; @cwbeacon.bsky.social's Chris Lisinski on how the shutdown will impact Massachusetts; and goodbye, dial-up internet soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week, Jenn goes to YIMBYTown; then, Steve and Jenn dissect the new @cwbeacon.bsky.social health care poll soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 365: YIMBYtown and Health Care Frowns
This week on The Horse Race, Jenn is dispatched to New Haven to attend the
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September 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
This week, Jenn goes to YIMBYTown; then, Steve and Jenn dissect the new @cwbeacon.bsky.social health care poll soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week Steve and Jenn on the blowout Boston Mayoral preliminary election -- can Josh Kraft do anything to close the gap? Then they unpack some new national approval rating polls.
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Episode 364: #BOSMayor Mind the Enormous Gap
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn discuss the results of the Boston Mayoral preliminary election -- by all accounts a blowout for Michelle Wu setting up a tough road to November for Josh Kra
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September 11, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This week Steve and Jenn on the blowout Boston Mayoral preliminary election -- can Josh Kraft do anything to close the gap? Then they unpack some new national approval rating polls.
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This week Jenn and Steve talk with @politico.com's @kellygarrity.bsky.social about the Trump administration’s threats to ramp up ICE presence in Boston. Plus, we are down to the top three choices for a new Massachusetts state flag.
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Episode 363: Mass. Dems Resist Federal Pressure on Boston
This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve talk with Politico's Kelly Garrity about the Trump administration's recent threats to ramp up ICE presence in Boston. Trump has also threatened to send Nati
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September 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
This week Jenn and Steve talk with @politico.com's @kellygarrity.bsky.social about the Trump administration’s threats to ramp up ICE presence in Boston. Plus, we are down to the top three choices for a new Massachusetts state flag.
soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
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This week, Jenn and Steve discuss their recent experiences with international transit and the new submissions for the Mass state flag and motto. Plus, is automatic voter registration making Democrats' woes look worse than they are really are? soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 362: Are Mass. Dems Really Jumping Ship?
This week on The Horse Race Jenn and Steve talk discuss how automatic voter registration is making Democrats’ woes look worse than they are. And, of course, all the new Mass. flag submissions.
soundcloud.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
This week, Jenn and Steve discuss their recent experiences with international transit and the new submissions for the Mass state flag and motto. Plus, is automatic voter registration making Democrats' woes look worse than they are really are? soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week, @skoczela.bsky.social and @richparr79.bsky.social discuss a new state ranking that has Massachusetts on top. Then @massincpolling.bsky.social's latest (with @wayfinders.bsky.social for @massdot.bsky.social ) on transportation in Western Mass. soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 361: Getting Around the Springfield Region
This week on The Horse Race, Steve sits down with Rich Parr VP of the MassINC Polling Group to talk about a new poll they conducted for MassDOT. This highly detailed report, entitled
soundcloud.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:29 PM
This week, @skoczela.bsky.social and @richparr79.bsky.social discuss a new state ranking that has Massachusetts on top. Then @massincpolling.bsky.social's latest (with @wayfinders.bsky.social for @massdot.bsky.social ) on transportation in Western Mass. soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week, @skoczela.bsky.social and @deehan.bsky.social discuss the over 40 questions that Mass. voters could see on their 2026 ballot. Will these ballot questions spur the State Legislature, the least productive in the nation, into action? soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 360: Could 40+ Questions on Your Ballot Help Legislative Productivity? (ft. Mike Deehan)
Last week was the deadline to file ballot questions for November 2026 and over 40 ballot questions made it through. These are questions that ultimately could become law covering a wide range of topics
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August 14, 2025 at 1:47 PM
This week, @skoczela.bsky.social and @deehan.bsky.social discuss the over 40 questions that Mass. voters could see on their 2026 ballot. Will these ballot questions spur the State Legislature, the least productive in the nation, into action? soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week, @jenndotsmith.bsky.social and @richparr79.bsky.social discuss what happened at the BLS, what Democrats' sagging poll numbers spell doom for 2026, and what effect that could have in deep blue Massachusetts soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 359: Debating Democrat Doomerism
This week on The Horse Race Jenn asks Rich Parr, VP of the Mass inc polling group a very simple question: 'are the dems doomed?' With a surprising glint of optimism, Parr breaks down the latest pollin
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August 7, 2025 at 1:41 PM
This week, @jenndotsmith.bsky.social and @richparr79.bsky.social discuss what happened at the BLS, what Democrats' sagging poll numbers spell doom for 2026, and what effect that could have in deep blue Massachusetts soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Reposted by The Horse Race
New pod! The great Katie Lannan on how the Massachusetts state fiscal picture could go horribly wrong. Also, @richparr79.bsky.social and I break down the @bostonglobe.com mayoral poll. soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 358: A Potential Big Beautiful Budgetary Disaster
This week on The Horse Race, Steve sits down with Rich Parr, VP of The MassINC Polling Group to discuss new polling on the mayoral election. Then Steve is joined by Katie Lannan of GBH News to tell th
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July 31, 2025 at 3:45 PM
New pod! The great Katie Lannan on how the Massachusetts state fiscal picture could go horribly wrong. Also, @richparr79.bsky.social and I break down the @bostonglobe.com mayoral poll. soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week: @skoczela.bsky.social and @richparr79.bsky.social on the latest Boston mayoral polling; @gbhnews.bsky.social 's Katie Lannan on what federal funding uncertainly means for the newly passed state budget; plus, the race for cat-mayor of the Somerville Bike Path soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
Episode 358: A Potential Big Beautiful Budgetary Disaster
This week on The Horse Race, Steve sits down with Rich Parr, VP of the Mass Inc Polling Group to discuss new polling on the mayoral election. Then Steve is joined by Katie Lennan, reporter for GBH new
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July 31, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This week: @skoczela.bsky.social and @richparr79.bsky.social on the latest Boston mayoral polling; @gbhnews.bsky.social 's Katie Lannan on what federal funding uncertainly means for the newly passed state budget; plus, the race for cat-mayor of the Somerville Bike Path soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by @cwbeacon.bsky.social reporter @bhaamatib.bsky.social to talk about the fight to regulate nicotine use in the Commonwealth.
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Episode 357: A Nicotine Free Generation
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by CommonWealth Beacon reporter Bhaamati Borkhetaria to talk about the fight to regulate nicotine use in the Common Wealth. In recent years, vari
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July 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by @cwbeacon.bsky.social reporter @bhaamatib.bsky.social to talk about the fight to regulate nicotine use in the Commonwealth.
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After years of delayed budgets, Massachusetts came ever so close to being on time this year. Steve, Jenn and Chris Lisinski of @statehousenews.com discuss how we got here and why this year was different.
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Episode 356: The Ghost of Budgets Passed
After years of delayed budgets, the Massachusetts state budget came ever so close to coming on time this year. This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by Chris Lisinski of Statehouse Ne
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July 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
After years of delayed budgets, Massachusetts came ever so close to being on time this year. Steve, Jenn and Chris Lisinski of @statehousenews.com discuss how we got here and why this year was different.
soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
soundcloud.com/user-7275171...
This week @skoczela.bsky.social and @jenndotsmith.bsky.social discuss reactions to Iran news .... Local kids push for an official state salamander
Episode 355: Trump Attacks Iran. What do Polls Show? What do Massachusetts Politicians Think?
This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss the flurry of news from the Middle East this weekend. Then they discuss various polls which reveal how Americans are feeling about Trump's unannounc
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June 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
This week @skoczela.bsky.social and @jenndotsmith.bsky.social discuss reactions to Iran news .... Local kids push for an official state salamander
This week, @gintautasd.bsky.social of @cwbeacon.bsky.social talks #MAGOV, Canada meeting with Northeast pols, and.... Dunkin' lip gloss? www.massincpolling.com/our-work/epi...
Episode 354: An Ol' Fashioned Governor Giddy-up — MassINC Polling Group
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jenn Smith are joined by CommonWealth reporter Gin Dumcius. The race for Governor is beginning and candidates such as Maura Healey and Mike Keneally and ...
www.massincpolling.com
June 19, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This week, @gintautasd.bsky.social of @cwbeacon.bsky.social talks #MAGOV, Canada meeting with Northeast pols, and.... Dunkin' lip gloss? www.massincpolling.com/our-work/epi...
Steve and Jenn take a fresh look at what this moment could mean right here in MA.
Episode 353: LA to MA, Saddle Up!
What could the situation in LA mean for Massachusetts? This week on The Horse Race, Jenn Smith is joined by Steve Koczela to discuss recent New England polling which reveals growing political pessimis
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June 12, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Steve and Jenn take a fresh look at what this moment could mean right here in MA.
Join Jenn & Steve for an early update on key MA elections, who is running... and who is definitely not running. Then Prof Paul Watanabe joins to discuss a groundbreaking new poll on issues facing APIA residents of MA. And finally, donut day's feminist history?!
Episode 352: Elections, and Polling, and Donuts! Oh My! (ft. Dr Watanabe)
This week on The Horse Race, Jenn Smith is joined by Steve Koczela for an early update on key Massachusetts elections, who is running... and who is definitely not running. Then, Jenn and Steve are joi
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June 5, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Join Jenn & Steve for an early update on key MA elections, who is running... and who is definitely not running. Then Prof Paul Watanabe joins to discuss a groundbreaking new poll on issues facing APIA residents of MA. And finally, donut day's feminist history?!