The Horse Race

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Your weekly look at politics, policy, and elections in Massachusetts. THE HORSE RACE: Steve Koczela, host; Jennifer Smith, host; Libby Gormley, producer; Maureen McInerney, graphic designer.

Steve Koczela; Jennifer Smith; Stephanie Murray; Libby Gormley


    • May 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 33m AVG DURATION
    • 373 EPISODES

    4.9 from 47 ratings Listeners of The Horse Race that love the show mention: horse race, good, great, listen, mapoli.


    Ivy Insights

    The Horse Race podcast is a true gem for anyone interested in the world of Massachusetts policy and politics. I have been an avid listener for quite some time now and eagerly look forward to each new episode. The hosts, Steve and Dez, are not only extremely knowledgeable about their subject matter but also possess an unparalleled interviewing prowess. Their ability to engage guests and delve into complex topics is truly impressive. Additionally, their humor and chemistry make for a highly entertaining listening experience.

    One of the best aspects of The Horse Race podcast is the level of expertise that the hosts bring to each episode. Both Steve and Dez have a deep understanding of Massachusetts policy and politics, which shines through in their analysis. They offer nuanced perspectives on current events, providing listeners with valuable insights that are often lacking in mainstream media coverage. Furthermore, their commitment to presenting information without bias or rancor is refreshing in a landscape dominated by partisan rhetoric.

    Another highlight of this podcast is the quality of guests and special correspondents that Steve and Dez bring on board. They consistently feature experts from various fields who provide unique perspectives on important issues. Whether it's politicians, journalists, or policy experts, each guest adds depth to the conversations held on The Horse Race podcast. Additionally, the special correspondents bring a fresh voice to the show and contribute to its overall appeal.

    While it's hard to find any major flaws with The Horse Race podcast, one potential downside could be its focus solely on Massachusetts policy and politics. This may limit its audience somewhat as those outside of the state might find it less relevant. However, given the vast importance of Massachusetts in national politics and policy discussions, this can still be a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand broader trends or gain insight into how local policies can impact national discourse.

    In conclusion, The Horse Race podcast is an absolute must-listen for anyone involved or interested in Massachusetts policy/politics. It combines expert analysis with an engaging presentation style, offering listeners a unique and informative experience. Steve and Dez, along with their impressive lineup of guests, provide deep insights into the intricacies of Massachusetts politics while keeping the show entertaining and accessible. I highly recommend subscribing to The Horse Race podcast if you want to stay informed and entertained in the world of mapoli.



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    Latest episodes from The Horse Race

    Episode 351: Trump's War on Higher Education

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 30:34


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn discuss how the latest federal proposals will effect education throughout Massachusetts from Harvard to community colleges. Plus, did you know that horse racing is subsidized in Massachusetts?

    Episode 350: NEIGH-POR

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 29:07


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve talks to MassINC Polling Group VP Rich Parr about his trip to the annual conference of the American Association of Public Opinion Researchers (AAPOR), which featured extensive discussions of AI tech in polling, postmortems on the 2024 election cycle, and public perceptions of the polls.

    Episode 349: Home is Where the Polls Are

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 37:39


    This week, it's a double housing policy polling special from the MassINC Polling Group. Jenn interviews Jesse Kanson-Benanav of Abundant Housing Massachusetts about a new poll MPG conducted for them, finding that majorities of Massachusetts voters support most policies to build more housing. Then, Steve and Jenn talk to Olivia Wine of MPG about a recent report on the experiences of tenants and landlords in the Massachusetts state housing voucher program (MRVP). For the Abundant Housing poll: https://www.massincpolling.com/our-work/new-poll-voters-across-massachusetts-support-building-more-housing-in-their-own-neighborhoodsnbsp For the MRVP report: https://www.massincpolling.com/our-work/tenants-and-landlords-both-give-massachusetts-rental-voucher-program-good-marks-but-administrative-hurdles-pose-a-challenge For video of the MRVP report release event: https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/videos/2025/may/voices-of-experience-recap

    massachusetts polls mpg massinc polling group
    Episode 348: Take Nothing for Grant-ed

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 37:23


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn discuss a MassINC Polling Group survey that asked nonprofit workers and leaders what impacts they expect the Trump administration to have on their organizations and the communities they serve. Plus, a look at competing internal polls from gubernatorial candidates. MPG conducted the nonprofit survey for the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network and the Boston Foundation, which also hosted an event on May 5 for nonprofit leaders to hear and discuss the results. For the full results, as well as a video recording of the event, visit this link: https://www.massincpolling.com/our-work/40ls2wra074r1sola48s94ojwt0lm2

    Episode 347: Whoa, Canada!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 29:43


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn go international, looking at the polling both around the Canadian federal election and around the first hundred days of the second Donald Trump administration. Plus, horse *and* Dunkin content.

    Episode 346: Polling on Thin ICE

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 30:31


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve and Jenn discuss the latest polling on the Trump administration's actions, especially divides that show up in different ways of asking about the same issue. Then, GBH reporter Katie Lannan joins to break down Beacon Hill's response to federal uncertainty, scandal at the statehouse, and the upcoming budget season.

    Episode 345: Political Erosion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 34:58


    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.

    Episode 344: Signals Crossed

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 38:29


    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."

    Episode 343: How Do You Like Dem Apples?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 38:52


    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."

    Episode 342: Polling the Rug Out

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 33:21


    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.

    Episode 341: Mayor Wu Goes to Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 32:34


    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.

    Episode 340: Legislative Translucency

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 37:54


    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.

    Episode 339: ICE Fact vs. Fiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 30:09


    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.

    Episode 338: Deep Cuts

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 23:56


    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.

    Episode 337: Track to Density

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 31:41


    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

    Episode 336: Executive Disorder

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 30:45


    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.

    Episode 335: Massachusetts pushes back on Trump immigration orders

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 28:36


    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.

    Episode 334: Brewing Strong T

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 31:26


    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? Transportation Funding Task Force report: https://www.massdotat15.com/transportation-funding-task-force

    Episode 333: Milton: Paradise Lost?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 33:00


    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.

    Episode 332: The Pollarized Express

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 33:52


    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.

    Episode 331: Fiscal cliff diving

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 34:24


    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.

    Episode 330: Mass. ends MCAS

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 41:41


    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.

    Episode 329: Bloopers: Everybody dunks on Dunkin'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 6:06


    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.

    Episode 328: Turkeys and Turnout

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 37:32


    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.

    Episode 327: A Commonwealth, If You Can Build It

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 36:14


    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.

    Episode 326: Blue State, Red Shift

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 34:38


    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?

    Episode 325: Margin of Terror

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 32:45


    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.

    Episode 324: The Ballot Hymn of the Republic

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 32:06


    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.

    Episode 323: The Apple of my AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 35:19


    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.

    Episode 322: Don't Shoot the Acquifer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 30:12


    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.

    Episode 321: Ballots: Yea or Neigh

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 27:02


    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!

    Episode 320: I'd Take a Ballot For You

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 28:49


    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.

    De Bait at the Debate

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 37:49


    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.

    Episode 318: The once and future AG?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 20:18


    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.

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 28:23


    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.

    Episode 316: The 2024 Harris Olympics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 34:05


    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.

    Episode 315: For Whom the Train Rolls

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 39:31


    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.

    Episode 314: Positive Vibe Racin'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 43:44


    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.

    Episode 313: The Pommel Horse Race

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 39:16


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by Sam Drysdale of Statehouse News to discuss the last day of the legislative session, the first day of new emergency shelter restrictions, the upcoming MCAS ballot fight, and of course, Massachusetts representation at the Paris Olympics.

    Episode 312: The Brat Race

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 41:13


    This week on The Horse Race, Rich Parr of the MassINC Polling Group discusses a new survey of Massachusetts residents and how they're feeling about their transportation experiences. Plus, Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela run through the Massachusetts angles on the shakeup in the Democratic presidential primary, and hurtle through the latest on Beacon Hill.

    Episode 311: It's a Delegate Balance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 28:57


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by CommonWealth Beacon reporter Gin Dumcius to discuss the state of the presidential race, and in particular a poll of Massachusetts delegates to the Democratic convention by CommonWealth Beacon and the MassINC Polling Group.

    Episode 310: Tripping Polls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 33:15


    This week on The Horse Race, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Bhaamati Borkhetaria talks to Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith about the ballot measure proposing to legalize medical psychedelic drugs in Massachusetts. Plus, Steve and Jenn take a look at how both polls and elected officials have responded to the presidential debate.

    Episode 309: The Bloopers Are Coming

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 8:40


    This week on The Horse Race, enjoy our semiannual holiday blooper reel

    Episode 308: Trotting Up That Hill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 41:42


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith are joined by guest co-host Katie Lannan to discuss the end-of-session rush on Beacon Hill, and the current state of Massachusetts immigration politics. Plus, past host Lisa Kashinsky swings by to explain the Forward Party's entry into the Bay State.

    Episode 307: Someone Call the Doctorate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 37:40


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith talk to Politico's Kelly Garrity about the State House Employee Union, and producer-slash-guest John Gee about employment numbers for PhDs. Plus, the latest on hemp product regulations and the cutting edge in Massachusetts equestrianism.

    Episode 306: Lisa's Last Rodeo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 35:45


    This week on The Horse Race, Lisa Kashinsky bids farewell to Steve Koczela and Jennifer Smith before riding off into the sunset of national election coverage. But along the way, they discuss Massachusetts Democrats' reactions to Joe Biden's asylum order (and Donald Trump's guilty verdicts), as well as new poll results on state leadership and upcoming elections.

    Episode 305: Better Late Than Never

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 41:16


    This week on The Horse Race, Chris Lisinski of the State House News Service joins to preview the summer's legislative agenda. Meanwhile, Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, and Lisa Kashinsky examine hopeful trends in student attendance, alongside less hopeful trends in electoral competitiveness and the Greater Boston news ecosystem.

    Episode 304: Right on Reschedule

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 22:55


    This week on The Horse Race, Shaleen Title of the Parabola Center joins Jennifer Smith and Steve Koczela to discuss a survey on what Americans think marijuana legalization should look like. Plus, how are Boston Public School parents thinking about the proposed facilities plan, and what did Steve learn at the national pollsters' conference?

    Episode 303: Left on Read

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 41:53


    This week on The Horse Race, Jennifer Smith asks Zayna Basma-Doyle of the MassINC Polling Group what Massachusetts parents know and don't know about early childhood reading instruction. Meanwhile, Jennifer and Lisa Kashinsky lament the latest findings about local news consumption, and sort through the legal arguments between the AG's office and Uber and Lyft.

    Episode 302: Head over Healey

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 37:49


    This week on The Horse Race, Gov. Maura Healey joins Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, and Lisa Kashinsky while at the MA Tech 16 conference. They discuss her economic development priorities, the Commonwealth's role in building new climate technology, and her upcoming visit to the Vatican. Meanwhile, Steve shares what's on the minds of youth and small business owners in new polls, including climate change; and Lisa breaks down what's in the Senate's budget proposal.

    Episode 301: Stable Coins

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 27:59


    This week on The Horse Race, Steve Koczela, Jennifer Smith, and Lisa Kashinsky are joined by Gin Dumcius of CommonWealth Beacon to discuss Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden's recent ethics penalty, and the long shadow of the 2022 DA race. Meanwhile, Lisa dives into the role of crypto in the US Senate GOP primary, and the crew considers whether it's possible for Boston to have fun.

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