The Horse Race

By Steve Koczela; Jennifer SmithNews

The Horse Race episodes

November 20, 2025 Episode 373: Rant Control
This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss the upcoming ballot questions on rent control. Then they look at new polling which suggests that Trump's grip on congressional republicans may be loosening. And finally, the Michelin Man rolls into Boston's finest eateries.

"They're Making a Huge Bet": Rent Control Referendum Splits Progressives CommonWealth Beacon
37 min
November 13, 2025 Episode 372: The Center Folds
This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn sit down face-to-face, #reunited. The centrist dems negotiated a deal to end the government shutdown. Steve discusses Trump's abysmal approval numbers. Jenn does not NOT talk about judicial forum shopping, and there is zero discussion about "Donkey's of Exceptional Cuteness" in this episode...
35 min
November 06, 2025 Episode 371: The GOP Bites the Ballot
This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by Rich Parr, VP of The MassINC Polling Group for an in depth discussion about the elections on Tuesday. Dems had a big night, winning seats across the country. What does this spell for Trump 2.0? What trends do the voting stats reveal?
https://boltsmag.org/
https://www.umass.edu/political-science/about/reports/2025-12#toc-toplines-and-crosstabs
https://www.umass.edu/news/article/kennealy-holds-early-lead-2026-bay-state-gop-gubernatorial-primary-nod-according-new
https://commonwealthbeacon.org/newsletter/competitive-mayoral-races-abound-just-not-in-boston/
40 min
October 30, 2025 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 "mayoral roundup," several key races feature uncharacteristically shaky incumbents. And finally, the Halloween candy polling data you've all been craving.
35 min
October 24, 2025 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 ratings for governor Maura Healey, polling on the “No Kings” protests, and opinions on the new ballroom construction.
28 min
October 16, 2025 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 talk about the issues with political violence polling and how those issues can skew the data in favor of violence. And finally, Trump's thoughts on the World Cup in Foxborough.
G. Elliott Morris's post on political violence polling referenced here: https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/most-polls-overstate-support-for
30 min
October 09, 2025 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 Massachusetts' competitiveness and Boston housing. And finally, vital polling from none other than the Hi-Chew candy company on which state is most excited for spooky season.
45 min
October 02, 2025 Episode 366: 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 effects of budgetary uncertainty on healthcare for residents of Mass. And finally, dial-up internet is now, officially, a thing of the past.
33 min
September 18, 2025 Episode 365: YIMBYtown and Health Care Frowns
This week on The Horse Race, Jenn is dispatched to New Haven to attend the "Yes, In My Back Yard" or "YIMBYtown" conference where Massachusetts pro-housing folks angst over the MBTA Communities law. Then Steve and Jenn dig into a sweeping new MPG poll on Bay State health care -- is this as good as people expect it to get? And finally, who is not NOT running?
34 min
September 11, 2025 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 Kraft. Plus, all politics is national, and we have some national approval polls to pick through. And last but not least, we can FINALLY stop paying taxes on all the money you've given us, dear listeners.
26 min