The Horse Race

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by John Gee of The MassINC Polling Group to discuss new MPG polling on how Massachusetts voters are feeling about national politics right now. Then, Jenn tells us about her reporting on the intertwined climate and housing crisis on the Cape and Islands, part of CommonWealth Beacon's Climate Month.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn are joined by Rich Parr to discuss new polling on transportation in Massachusetts from The MassINC Polling Group, and Jenn explains how federal funding cuts are affecting fair housing organizations. Stick to the end for our co-hosts' perspectives on "the group chat situation."

This week on The Horse Race, Steve talks to Democratic strategists Alex Goldstein and Kristen Halbert about the party's response to the current political moment, what elected officials are doing, and what they should be doing. Plus, Jenn introduces Steve to the foodstuff known as an "Irish Potato."

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn take a socially-distanced stroll down memory lane to mark the five-year anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic emergency declaration. Then, they break down some of the many ways the Trump administration's slashing research funds could affect research-based industries and the Massachusetts economy.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn break down the polling on President Trump's joint address to Congress. Then, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Gin Dumcius joins them to discuss Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's recent appearance before the House Oversight Committee alongside several other mayors of so-called sanctuary cities.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn break down polling on Governor Healey’s approval rating and top voter issues. Then, State House News Service reporter Chris Lisinski joins to debrief the latest rules to increase transparency in the state legislature.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn discuss national polling around Trump's approval rating one month into his second term. Then, GBH news reporter Sarah Betancourt gives the latest immigration updates on how communities are responding to threats of mass deportations.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve is joined by State House News Service reporter Chris Lisinski to unpack the recent federal funding cuts to medical research, and subsequent lawsuit filed by attorneys general against the Trump administration. Plus, special guest Yael Mazor, director of audience engagement at CommonWealth Beacon, joins for a quiz show.

Steve and Jenn sit down with Jarred Johnson, executive director of TransitMatters, and Luc Schuster, executive director of Boston Indicators, to explore the connection between housing density and public transit. Plus, the first segment of 'Policies and Pitfalls': how Trump's trade war may impact Massachusetts. The Boston Foundation, TransitMatters report on Transit-Supportive Density: https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/reports/2025/january/transit-supportive-density

This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela is joined by Senior Research Director of the MassINC Polling Group and Horse Race Western Mass correspondent Rich Parr. They discuss polling on President Trump's executive orders, and overall approval rating. Plus, a look ahead at Josh Kraft's bid for Boston mayor.

Steve and Jenn sit down with Lisa Kashinsky, Politico reporter and former co-host of The Horse Race, to discuss the impact of Trump’s immigration executive orders on Massachusetts. Then, they dive into a new education poll examining parents’ views on students' access to math courses.

Steve and Jenn sit down with Brian Kane, executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board, to discuss Governor Healey's plan to invest Fair Share funds in the MBTA and statewide transportation. Then, is Dunkin running out of donuts?

Steve and Jenn are joined by State House News Service reporter Alison Kuznitz to break down the drama on Beacon Hill over an audit of the Legislature and calls for transparency. Plus, an exclusive look at the Supreme Judicial Court's ruling on Milton and the MBTA Communities Act.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn share their take on Trump's latest lawsuit against The Des Moines Register and Selzer poll in Iowa. Then, a holiday roundup of Horse Race best Dunkin' moments, and how the new climate bill empowers disadvantaged communities in developing clean energy projects.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith sit down with Georgia Barlow, Government Affairs Specialist at Metropolitan Area Planning Council, to discuss policies to increase state transportation funding as the MBTA faces its largest budget deficit next year. Plus, a preview of upcoming mayoral, senate, and gubernatorial elections in Massachusetts.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith break down the property tax drama that has the state legislature and Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu abuzz. Then, Boston Globe Reporter Mandy McLaren shares how the elimination of MCAS is impacting high school graduation requirements. Plus, Historian and former Horse Race producer John Gee offers his perspective on the future of teaching writing in the age of AI.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn continue their Thanksgiving tradition with a special episode of mispronunciations and outtakes, featuring Dunks' infamous potion macchiato and a poll on America's favorite turkey sides.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by Senior Research Director of the MassINC Polling Group and Horse Race Western Mass correspondent Rich Parr to unpack trends in voter turnout. Then, Boston Globe Reporter Tiana Woodruff shares her perspective on the rightward shift among some Black voters.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by Ben Forman, Research Director at MassINC, to discuss how gateway cities in Massachusetts can address the housing affordability crisis. Then, a take on polling accuracy in the 2024 Presidential Election.

This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith unpack results and polling from the 2024 Presidential Election. They're joined by Senior Research Director of the MassINC Polling Group and Horse Race Western Mass correspondent Rich Parr to discuss demographic and regional voter trends to the right. Plus, how did the ballot questions' outcomes compare to polling predictions?