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The Horse Race

Politics

A weekly podcast on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.

Location:

United States

Description:

A weekly podcast on Massachusetts politics, policy and elections. Hosted by Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith.

Language:

English


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Episodes
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Episode 333: Milton: Paradise Lost?

1/7/2025
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.

Duration:00:33:00

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Episode 332: The Pollarized Express

12/18/2024
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.

Duration:00:33:52

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Episode 331: Fiscal cliff diving

12/11/2024
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.

Duration:00:34:24

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Episode 330: Mass. ends MCAS

12/4/2024
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.

Duration:00:41:41

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Episode 329: Bloopers: Everybody dunks on Dunkin'

11/27/2024
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.

Duration:00:06:06

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Episode 328: Turkeys and Turnout

11/20/2024
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.

Duration:00:37:32

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Episode 327: A Commonwealth, If You Can Build It

11/13/2024
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.

Duration:00:36:14

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Episode 326: Blue State, Red Shift

11/4/2024
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?

Duration:00:34:38

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Episode 325: Margin of Terror

10/30/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith discuss how polls today compare to previous presidential elections, and taste test Dunkin's newest spooky drink: the potion macchiato. Then, state house reporter for GBH News Katie Lannan reveals what Beacon Hill lawmakers think about Ballot Question 1 and 2.

Duration:00:32:45

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Episode 324: The Ballot Hymn of the Republic

10/20/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith delve into the arguments in favor and against the ballot questions facing Massachusetts voters on November 5. They also examine state auditor Diana DiZoglio's recent audit of the Legislature, and what it means for ballot question 1.

Duration:00:32:06

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Episode 323: The Apple of my AI

10/17/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith share their thoughts on the role of AI in local journalism, and comment on the Melrose Robocast. Plus, Senior Research Director of the MassINC Polling Group and Horse Race Western Mass correspondent Rich Parr discusses reasons polls can be wrong.

Duration:00:35:19

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Episode 322: Don't Shoot the Aquifer

10/3/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith give their take on the 2024 vice-presidential debate, and the MBTA advancements overshadowed by a derailment. Then, Cape and Island's Climate Reporter Eve Zuckoff shares her on-the-ground perspective of the Massachusetts National Guard's proposal to build a machine gun range on Cape Cod.

Duration:00:30:12

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Episode 321: Ballots: Yea or Neigh

9/26/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith unpack the latest poll on ballot questions, the State Legislature, the Warren v. Deaton race for senate, and the presidential race. Then, an exclusive first look on national fall foliage rankings. Spoiler alert: Massachusetts should be first!

Duration:00:27:02

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Episode 320: I'd Take a Ballot For You

9/19/2024
In a live episode of the Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by Steve Crawford, President of Crawford Strategies with years of experience in building public support for ballot questions. They discuss how ballot questions are developed, what makes them successful, and who benefits in the context of the 5 questions on the ballot this November. Then, a special edition of ballot-themed trivia and proposed ballot questions from the audience.

Duration:00:28:49

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De Bait at the Debate

9/12/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by state house reporter for GBH News Katie Lannan to discuss the generally uncompetitive state primaries last Tuesday with at least ONE twist. Next, the co-hosts break down the Trump-Harris debate and what it could mean for a neck-and-neck race.

Duration:00:37:49

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Episode 318: The once and future AG?

9/5/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith speculate on Governor Healey joining a future Harris-Walz administration, new polls showing Harris with an edge over Trump, and how heartbreak and engagement made their way to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Duration:00:20:18

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Episode 317: The Horse Race and Whale Heads and Bears, Oh My

8/29/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith react to the news that RFK, Jr. has dropped out of the presidential race...along with other news stories connected to RFK, Jr. They also discuss the complicated politics of community input into development review processes and their relationship to the housing crunch.

Duration:00:28:23

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Episode 316: The 2024 Harris Olympics

8/22/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith reunite with Lisa Kashinsky to hear about Massachusetts's presence at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Steve and Jennifer also discuss voters' seeming lack of interest in the GOP Senate primary, and subject themselves to yet another Dunkin beverage on the air.

Duration:00:34:05

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Episode 315: For Whom the Train Rolls

8/15/2024
This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith update you on where the presidential tickets stand in the polls, and where Massachusetts stands in the latest attempt to rank the states. Then, Jarred Johnson of TransitMatters joins to discuss the upcoming electrification of the Fairmount line in the MBTA commuter rail system.

Duration:00:39:31

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Episode 314: Positive Vibe Racin'

8/8/2024
This week on the Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by state auditor Diana DiZoglio to discuss her ballot measure to enable her office to audit the state legislature, in light of recent legislative events. Steve and Jenn also discuss the latest polling on the presidential campaign, with a special focus on what seems to be a very real shift in vibes from the Democratic side.

Duration:00:43:44