The Horse Race

October has officially begun and brought us several surprises. Katie Lannan of Statehouse News joins us as our guest host this week to unpack what we like to call "the Massachusetts connection" to several national events, including Senator Warren's potential Presidential campaign, the Kavanaugh hearings, and Barak Obama's recent endorsements. Here to break down what has been a news-filled week, we welcome Vicki McGraine of the Boston Globe and Stephanie Murray of POLITICO.

That's right, it is polling season! We welcome back special guest host Jennifer Smith of the Dorchester Reporter to join Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group to go over the latest in MA general election news, polls, and even potential presidential bids. Joining us as a first time guest on the pod, Vicki McGraine of the Boston Globe talked with us about Charlie Baker and Geoff Diehl and what that big endorsement means. And finally we caught up with Michael Jonas of CommonWealth Magazine to wrap up whats going on with the DA race. Six weeks until the general election, make sure you're registered!

We're taking a farewell victory lap this week for Lauren Dezenski's very last episode of The Horse Race before she moves to Washington D.C. to join CNN. As the third congressional race finally came to its close, we welcomed Chris Lisinski of the Lowell Sun to give us a rundown of the recount madness. Then we looked to our expert ballot guest George Cronin to get caught up on upcoming general ballot questions. John Walsh, Mass Democratic party legend gave us some insiders insight on the new Reason to Believe PAC and what we can expect in the general election. For a special fourth segment, Steve Koczela further breaks down the Congressional and Governors elections with a recent Suffolk University and Boston Globe poll. And finally, our something to watch focuses on Lauren's last few years in Massachusetts and what we can expect from her move to the Capitol.

On this episode of The Horse Race, we wrap up our recap of the primary election and make a big announcement. We welcomed News Editor at the Dorchester Reporter, Jenn Smith and Michael Jonas of Commonwealth Magazine to cover the DA race. We then catch up with our friends of the Codcast, Jennifer Nassour and Jesse Mermell to hear all about their new, highly opinionated, cross-partisan podcast, Disagreeing Agreeably.

The Horse Race goes LIVE in this special post-primary "winner's circle." We recorded in front of a live studio audience at WeWork Boston's One Beacon office. President of the MassInc Polling Group, Steve Koczela and Politico Massachusetts' Lauren Dezenski break down all things Massachusetts primaries. On this extended episode, we welcomed Meghna Chakrabarti Host of NPR's "On Point" to discuss MA elections up and down the ticket. We then welcomed Gus Bickford Chair of Mass Dems to talk strategy as we move from primary, to general, and national elections. And finally we have Alex Goldstein, an advisor to Ayanna Pressley campaign tell us all about what it was like to be in the Pressley campaign room on election night. And finally, we closed out the evening with questions from you, our listeners. Many thanks to the WeWork One Beacon Team as well as all MassInc staff for their support at this event.

8/29/18 -- With less than a week from the MA primary election, you could say we've hit the stretch run. In a jam packed episode, we cover what we can expect from campaigns in the final week before the polls close. Principal Sean Curran of Waterville Consulting joins us in the studio to break down what's happening right now with campaign advertising. We're also joined by Mike McLaughlin, an expert in campaign fielding. And finally we bring Bruce Mohl in to discuss a recent article he wrote about campaign spending. This week we have a special extended What to Watch with insider tips on how to stay up to date as the polls close next Tuesday. Don't forget to register for our live *winners circle* event. https://thehorseraceliveatwework.splashthat.com/ This episode is sponsored by WeWork at OneBeacon.

8/22/18 -- Secretary of State Bill Galvin and Josh Zakim are highlighted again this week as they each launch attack ads. Then we focus on one race that has flown under radar -- the democratic primary for lieutenant governor. Former LG and current president of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce Tim Murray tells us what it's like to run for the seat. Plus Becca Rausch is running for state senate and calling for transparency on Beacon Hill -- and 14 other democratic women running for office are joining her. This episode is sponsored by WeWork.

8/15/18 -- Secretary of State Bill Galvin and his primary challenger Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim met this week for a tense, table-slapping debate. MassLive's Gin Dumcius joins us for a recap on the zesty #debategate. Then CommonWealth Magazine's Michael Jonas has the latest intrigue in the already "cloak and dagger" filled Suffolk County DA race, while Lauren checks in on the Republican primary for Senate. This episode is sponsored by WeWork.

8/8/18 -- Democrats are taking on Democrats in this week’s episode of The Horse Race. First, Andy Metzger of State House News Service (and who is soon to be striking out as a freelancer!) details some tension between senate president Karen Spilka and speaker of the House Bob DeLeo in the wrap up of legislative loose ends. Then the Dorchester Reporter’s Jennifer Smith returns to breakdown this week’s debate between incumbent congressman Mike Capuano and his primary challenger Ayanna Pressley. Plus, State House News Service reporter Matt Murphy checks back in on the race for secretary of state, and whether or not challenger Josh Zakim has sustained any momentum against incumbent Bill Galvin. This week’s episode is sponsored by WeWork Boston.

In part 2 of our special “bootleg” episode, Steve breaks down the results of the recent WBUR poll that highlights the horse race between Michael Capuano and Ayanna Pressley. The poll also looks at democratic opinion in the MA-7 on abolishing ICE, Nancy Pelosi and single payer healthcare, among other issues. Head to wbur.org for the full topline. This episode is sponsored by WeWork Boston.

8/1/18 -- In the last minute scramble of legislation, the state appears to have made horse racing illegal, which means Lauren and Steve are off to the glue factory. But first, they speak with The Springfield Republican’s Shira Schoenberg about the chaotic end of the Legislature’s formal session, and what did and didn’t fall through the cracks. Then former state senator Ben Downing returns to analyze the legislative process that led to the messy end of session, and we continue our tour de commonwealth with CommonWealth Magazine’s Michael Jonas on the race for Middlesex District Attorney. This episode is sponsored by WeWork Boston.

7/25/2018 -- On the podcast this week, Lauren Dezenski is still on vacation, but calls in to talk with Steve and Doug Rubin, senior strategist for Deval Patrick and Elizabeth Warren, about presidential race rumors. Then, a quick check in on the MA1 Primary with Shannon Young, of MassLive and The Springfield Republican; followed up by a look at key races in the Pioneer Valley with MassINC Polling Group's very own Research Director, Rich Parr. This episode is sponsored by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts and the National Institute for Reproductive Health.

7/18/18 -- The Legislature has reached a budget compromise and our guest host Lizzi Weyant, manager of government affairs at MAPC, explains what’s in it, what’s not and what’s next. Then George Cronin of Rasky Partners details the questions still standing on the ballot, and The Dorchester Reporter’s Jenn Smith highlights the “proxy fight” in the 7th congressional district. Plus Lauren Dezenski puts her vacation on pause to talk about former governor Deval Patrick stumping in Texas, and what that means for his future ambitions. This episode is sponsored by the Massachusetts Business Round Table.

7/11/18 --We’re back post-Fourth of July with a check in on what’s still pending on Beacon Hill. MassLive’s Gin Dumcius walks us through why Massachusetts still does not have a state budget; then in a return to the pod, Principal of Waterville Consulting Sean Curran explains quarter two fundraising reports and Gov. Charlie Baker’s massive ad buy. Plus Steve and Lauren look at the recent Supreme Judicial Court ruling which maintains the 20 day voter registration cut-off. This episode is sponsored by the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.

7/4/18 -- Happy Independence Day, Horse Race fans! We're on hiatus this week, so enjoy a reel of some of our favorite outtakes. Tune in next week when we return to the latest #mapoli developments, and enjoy the holiday! Featuring special appearances by The Benator (Ben Downing) and Senate President Harriette Chandler.