The Horse Race

5/23/18 -- There are two candidates left in the Democratic primary for governor, and both are eyeing the lane to the left. State House News Service’s Matt Murphy has the highlights on Jay Gonzalez, while CommonWealth Magazine’s Michael Jonas digs into the multi-faceted “who-clause” that is Bob Massie. We then head to the Berkshires with WAMC Radio’s Josh Landes to check out a surprisingly dramatic...

5/16/18 -- Pastor turned politician Scott Lively surprised some in the GOP establishment when he secured a spot on the ballot for the Republican gubernatorial primary. WGBH reporter and co-host of The Scrum Adam Reilly digs into who Lively is, and how he plans to cover the candidate. Then we look west with the Springfield Republican’s Shannon Young to check in on the primary challenge to Congressm...

5/9/18 -- The home stretch of the ballot question saga comes down to a supreme judicial court decision. State House News reporter Andy Metzger explains why we’re in limbo and what to make of Governor Baker’s “Grand Bargain.” Then we hear from Western Massachusetts correspondent Rich Parr, who due to Stan Rosenberg's resignation now lives in a district with no state representation. Plus our residen...

5/3/2018 -- Yielding to a growing chorus of his colleagues, State Senator Stan Rosenberg announced his resignation today following the release of a blistering report on the investigation into the conduct of his estranged husband Bryon Hefner. Steve and Lauren discuss how the last few days played out, how we got here and where we go from here.

5/2/18 -- It's GOP week at The Horse Race. First, we recap the Republican state convention with CommonWealth Magazine's Michael Jonas. Then, some zesty candidate insight from two convention delegates: Ed Lyons and Jon Fetherston.

4/25/18 -- It's a busy week in the bunker with Voter Choice Massachusetts' Adam Friedman on ranked choice voting, and -- in a return to the pod -- our senior campaign finance correspondent Sean Curran on the funding behind ballot question campaigns. Then, Steve and Lauren dig into the latest polling and upcoming debate in the race for the MA-3.

4/18/18 -- We head north of the wall - a.k.a. New Hampshire - with special guest host and former pod correspondent Ben Downing. First, The Boston Globe's James Pindell describes what he's seeing up north, now that we know Rep. Joe Kennedy III will be heading there in the fall. Then, Salem News' Ethan Forman breaks down the Republican challengers to Rep. Seth Moulton, and our local poll master and...

4/11/18 -- Former MassGOP chair Jenn Nassour is sharing her "conventional wisdom" with us this week as we get closer to the MassGOP convention. Then The Dorchester Reporter's Jenn Smith returns for the latest on a surprisingly competitive race for Suffolk County DA. Plus Steve and Lauren talk money! FEC reports for the Senate race are in, and we have updates on the candidates' financial standings.

4/4/18 -- Former State Senator Ben Downing is back! He reappears this week as the body's mountain of bad press has us testing a State Senate Chaos Theory. Then we look west with Matt Szafranski of Western Massachusetts Politics & Insight, checking in on the unexpected primary challenge to Former Senate President Stan Rosenberg. Plus, it's almost caucus time! Steve and Lauren break down what it mea...

We're answering your questions on ballots and questions on ballot questions this week on The Horse Race First Pam Wilmot, head of Common Cause Massachusetts, explains Automatic Voter Registration and why it's a big deal. Then political reporter Shira Schoenberg joins us for an update on the final version of the criminal justice reform bill. Finally, Steve and Lauren look at the impending decisions...

It's all about polls and emerging political power this week. First, Nichole Mossalam, Co-Chair of Our Revolution Massachusetts' Coordinating Committee, joins us to discuss ORMA's rise and what the brand new organization sees in its future. Then, Steve drops some serious polling insight -- courtesy of his most recent WBUR poll -- on Warren's Republican challengers and major policy initiatives on Be...

We're looking back on five months of #mapoli coverage this week. Reporter/MA-3 hawk Chris Lisinski of the Lowell Sun recaps the race for the open seat, and Emerge Massachusetts Executive Director Ryanne Olsen touches on the wave of women running for office. Plus, Steve digs into a highly topical segment we like to call "storm politics."

This week we continue our tour of the commonwealth with hot takes from Suffolk County and western Massachusetts. The Dorchester Reporter's Jennifer Smith and MassLive's Gin Dumcius join us in the studio, and "West Mass" correspondent/MassINC Polling Group Research Director Rich Parr calls in to break down all the movement. PLUS, what animal is featured in former Governor Bill Weld's official state...

Former State Senator Ben Downing joins us this week to explain the turmoil on Beacon Hill, its impact on senate function and the significance of state and local primary challenges. Then, Steve's got a new transportation poll with hot takes on traffic, and Lauren explains why Massachusetts' drop in the U.S. News and World Report ranking is fair game for Governor Baker's critics.

CommonWealth Magazine's Michael Jonas descends on the bunker to explain the recent surprise in the Suffolk County District Attorney race, while political observer Josh Gee calls in from New York to dish on frugging (fundraising under the guise of research). Then, Steve and Lauren break down a potentially confusing ballot question regarding the repeal of the transgender accommodations law.

This week it’s all about challenges: special guest Lawrence Friedman, professor of law at the New England Law Boston explains the details of the supreme judicial court case regarding the so-called millionaire’s tax; Steve breaks down his latest WBUR poll on the primary race between Mike Capuano and challenger Ayanna Pressley; and Setti Warren shares delegates with his fellow gubernatorial challeng...

Steve Koczela is back in the bunker just in time for caucus season! We’ve got answers to all the caucus questions you’re afraid to ask with special guest Gus Bickford, Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. We also check in on the first forum for the MA-3, the legal challenge to the proposed “Fair Share” ballot question and the latest development in the senate presidency.

Linda Dorcena Forry is out, Ayanna Pressley is in and Lindstrom, Kingston and Diehl fight for the cash in this week's episode. Plus, Jennifer Smith of the Dorchester Reporter joins us in the studio, Lauren misses a game show reference and a surprise appearance from a familiar voice explains -- you guessed it -- polls polls polls.

We’ve got veteran State House News Service reporter Matt Murphy in the bunker this week breaking down Governor Charlie Baker’s State of the Commonwealth address (hot take: it’s STRONG). Plus Maureen McInerney, Public Affairs Associate at MassINC fills in for host Steve Koczela to talk fundraising in the Governor’s race, the election for Suffolk County Register of Deeds (it’s wonky, we know) and th...

This week it's all about the money, and the numbers are eyepopping -- Warren's making bank, candidates in the MA-3 are raking it in and Marty Walsh is growing his war chest fresh off reelection. We also check in on Brendan Crighton's walk into the state senate and preview the upcoming State of the Commonwealth. And in case you were wondering (and paying attention to trivia), the first stagecoach b...

We're back in the saddle folks! It's a new year and a new season, and we're straight out the gate with the first WBUR poll of the year. We've got the zesty details on Baker, Warren and Trump, plus a status report on 2018's major races already underway. AND for those loyal trivia fans, we're rocking an MBTA theme. What year did the first stagecoach open between Boston and Cambridge? Send your answe...

Happy New Year Horse Race Fans! To thank you for tuning in to our first season, we’re kicking off 2018 with a peek behind the editing curtain – WE'VE GOT BLOOPERS! Next week we’ll return to our regular Friday morning schedule. Tune in for the must-have analysis (and polls!) on #mapoli’s most exciting elections and campaigns, and happy racing!

FIELD TRIP! This week we’re checking in on Maryland, which also has a popular Republican governor in a very blue state. Kudos to the Goucher Poll’s Mileah Kromer for the zesty detail and Charlie Baker parallels. Plus, Steve’s Christmas Miracle: the democrats are shirking #mapoli political decorum and fielding primary challenges! We also check in on the Beacon Hill investigation and the Secretary o...

Allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct leveled against Bryon Hefner, husband of Senate president Stan Rosenberg, are roiling Beacon Hill. In an emergency podcast to keep you up to date, we explain what this means from the standpoint of the senate. We also recap the results of the Worcester/Middlesex state senate special election, and celebrate Ballot Question Deadline Day!

The Horse Race went Live! We had a great event last week discussing the most exciting elections to watch in 2018 (Bill Galvin getting primaried anyone?) and digging into one of the year's key issues - the representation of women in #mapoli. Joining us for the event were Puja Mehta of Emerge Massachusetts and Jenn Nassour of Conservative Women for a Better Future. Stay tuned in the new year for Sea...