The Horse Race

Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Your weekly update on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.

  1. 6D AGO

    A Balloting Act

    What 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.

    29 min

  2. MAR 5

    "No Longer Invisible" with Dr. Watanabe [Archive Interview]

    In 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)"

    23 min

  3. FEB 26

    The Stats of the Union

    The 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.

    33 min

  4. FEB 19

    McGovernmental Authority, with U.S. Rep Jim McGovern

    Can 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

    31 min

  5. FEB 12

    Ep 383: Material Misstatements, with Mass. Auditor Diana DiZoglio

    Over 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

    38 min

  6. FEB 5

    Ep 382: T.P.S. Reports

    This week on The Horse Race, Jenn and Steve are joined by Sarah Betancourt, immigration reporter for GBH news. She sheds light on recent moves by the Trump administration to end "Temporary Protected Status" for Haitians in the United States. Massachusetts has one of the largest Haitian immigrant populations in the country, so what options are Beacon Hill considering? How are federal judges responding? And how is this likely to affect Haitians in Massachusetts? Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group Jennifer Smith, senior reporter for CommonWealth Beacon Guest: Sarah Betancourt, immigration reporter for GBH news Links: Thousands of Mass. Haitians face end of temporary protected status in February Haitian immigrants can retain protected status for now, federal judge rules Massachusetts City Trades the Weather Predicting Groundhog for a Flamingo

    33 min

  7. JAN 29

    Ep 381: AI or A+

    This week on the Horse Race, Jenn and Steve discuss what states like Massachusetts can do and are doing to push back against federal ICE actions. Then, a new poll! How do parents of K-12 children feel about AI. And if you are sick of shoveling, try riding a unicycle... Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling GroupJennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth BeaconFurther Reading: What Mass. can and can’t do about ICE Parents Divided as AI Rapidly Reshapes Massachusetts Classrooms

    29 min

  8. JAN 22

    Ep 380: Moulton Lava, with U.S. Rep Seth Moulton

    Our Delegation Conversations series begins with U.S. Rep Seth Moulton of Massachusetts’s 6th District. Jenn and Steve sit down with him to discuss Venezuela and Greenland, ICE in Minneapolis, Congressional age caps, his challenge to U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, and more. Guests: Congressman Seth Moulton Hosts: Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling GroupJennifer Smith, reporter for CommonWealth Beacon Further Reading: Moulton Introduces Healthcare Reinvestment Act to Redirect ICE Funding to Protect Affordable Healthcare⁠ Moulton Celebrates Two Successful Years of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠ ⁠Parents Divided as AI Rapidly Reshapes Massachusetts Classrooms⁠

    35 min
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4.9
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About

Your weekly update on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    405
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith
  • Show Website
    The Horse Race

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