The Inside Elections Podcast

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Manu Raju of CNN take an inside look at the pressure GOP leadership is facing with narrow majorities and looming elections. Manu also reveals what Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill expect to happen in November, and how he got to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field. The episode also introduces Inshara Ali - the newest member of the Inside Election...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Pamela Wood of The Banner break down the Democratic primary to replace long-time Rep. Steny Hoyer, the bitter Democratic race between the current and former members from the 6th District and look ahead to the potential redistricting that could eliminate the state's lone Republican. Twitter profiles: @nathanlgonzales @jacobrubashkin @pwoodreporter @InsideElectio...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Jeff Coltin of City & State break down the plethora of key House primaries in New York including key Democratic races in some of the most liberal districts in the country with interesting candidates from John F. Kennedy’s grandson to 2016 Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway’s ex-husband. Twitter profiles: @nathanlgonzales @jacobrubashkin @JCColtin @Insi...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Aaron Sanderford of Nebraska Examiner take a fresh look at the Senate race in the Cornhusker State, where Democrats are rallying behind independent candidate Dan Osborn against Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts. Osborn came up short in 2024, but the conditions might be right for an upset in 2026. Nathan, Jacob and Aaron also talk about the competitive race for the...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Henry J. Gomez of NBC News break down all of the upcoming primaries in Ohio. The trio also analyzes whether incumbent Democrats Marcy Kaptur, Greg Landsman and Emilia Sykes or Republicans representatives Max Miller and Mike Turner will be returning to Congress, takes an early look at the huge Senate race between GOP Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic senator...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Randi B. Hagi of WMRA Public Radio tackle the latest in the nationwide redistricting war. They analyze whether the Virginia referendum will pass, which Republican incumbents could be at risk of losing re-election from the Democratic-drawn map and how a new Virginia map will affect the overall fight for the House majority. In addition, Jacob is part-way through...

Jacob Rubashkin, Erin Covey of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, and Kirk Bado of National Journal’s Hotline draft the best and most iconic campaign ads of the 21st century. It’s spring break, so the crew also discusses their ideal vacation destinations, and some good books and articles we’ve read recently. Twitter profiles: @jacorubashkin @ercovey @kirk_bado @insideelections The Inside E...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Mary Ellen McIntire of Roll Call analyze the fight for the House majority including a dozen recent race rating changes by Inside Elections. Democrats need a net gain of three seats in the November general election and are favored to take control from Republicans. Mel also reveals her favorite Easter candy, Jacob has another favorite book, and Nathan recommends...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Shia Kapos of Politico dive deep into the upcoming Illinois primaries including the Democratic race to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin and a handful of crowded and competitive House primaries, where as little as 20 percent of the vote could be enough to effectively become a Member of Congress. Shia and Jacob also reveal their latest book finds and Nathan has to show o...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Gabby Birenbaum of The Texas Tribune run down the biggest primaries in Texas including the Republican and Democratic Senate primaries and run through the Republican and Democratic House incumbents who might not even get renominated. Also, Jacob can’t stop watching reality TV, Gabby plugs the latest and best political biography and Nathan watched a movie that ap...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Ryan Faircloth of the Star Tribune analyze the impact of the surge of ICE agents and border patrol and two fatal shootings in the Twin Cities on key Minnesota races for governor, Senate and the House and talk about how previous political assassinations in the state and recent attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar has affected candidates in Minnesota. Twitter profiles: @nat...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Jonathan Martin of Politico make their bold predictions for 2026, covering the fights for the House, Senate, governors and the beginning of the 2028 presidential race. Jacob and Nathan also cover the can’t miss headlines and latest news in races in Alaska, Florida, Wyoming and New Jersey. Twitter profiles: @nathanlgonzales @jacobrubashkin @jmart @InsideElection...

Nathan Gonzales and Jacob Rubashkin tackle tough end-of-the-year questions with a holiday mailbag episode. From the state of the midterm elections, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s electoral future, and each party’s recruitment holes in the fight for the House to the Roman Empire, Star Trek and the Seattle Seahawks, Jacob and Nathan cover a lot of territory. Twitter profiles: @nathanlgonzales @jacobruba...

Nathan Gonzales and Jacob Rubashkin cover the latest House and Senate election news and discuss the art of political handicapping with the University of Virginia’s Larry Sabato, one of the most prominent analysts in the country. Twitter profiles: @nathanlgonzales @jacobrubashkin @kirk_bado @LarrySabatao @InsideElections The Inside Elections podcast analyzes congressional, presidential and gubernat...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Kirk Bado of National Journal’s Hotline celebrate Thanksgiving by prescribing what Republicans, Democrats and even President Donald Trump should be thankful for in this holiday season. Jacob and Kirk also discuss good and bad recent movies while Nathan is thankful for the Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver breaking receiving records of a former congressman fro...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Leah Askarinam of the Associated Press discuss their key takeaways from the recent elections in Virginia, New Jersey, California and New York City and talk about how the recent Senate vote to end the government shutdown could impact the 2026 midterm elections. Nathan also gives an update on the Dallas Dragons, as they make their way through the 5A Oregon High S...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Melanie Mason of Politico analyze the fate of Proposition 50 in California as Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats try to counter President Donald Trump and Republicans’ efforts to redistrict in GOP states nationwide. The crew also walks through more than half a dozen individual seats and current incumbents that will be impacted if voters approve the new map. Twitte...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Alex Seitz-Wald of Midcoast Villager take a deep dive into Maine with a focus on the Democratic Senate primary between Gov. Janet Mills and oysterman Graham Platner before taking on Republican Susan Collins, a look at the 2nd District battle between Democratic Rep. Jared Golden and former GOP Gov. Paul LePage, and talk about which Bush family member is running...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Steve Kornacki of NBC News take a fresh look at the battle for the House majority with a little more than a year before the midterm elections, analyze the latest numbers in the race for governor in New Jersey this year and talk about how Steve went from covering Congress at Roll Call to covering sports for football and the Kentucky Derby for NBC Sports. The cre...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Abby Turner of National Journal’s Hotline analyze the key messages and strategies ahead of the two biggest races of 2025 (the New Jersey and Virginia races for governor) as Republicans try to keep up their momentum from 2024 and Democrats try to get a bump heading into 2026. Jacob also celebrates victory over the Claw game, Abby gives an initial review of The P...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Gabby Birenbaum of The Texas Tribune break down the critical Republican primary in the Texas Senate race between Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton and analyze the five individual House seats most affected by Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting effort encouraged by President Donald Trump. Twitter profiles: @nathanlgonzales @jacobrubashkin...

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Kyle Kondik of Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia dive into the Ohio Senate race where former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was appointed to replace Vice President J.D. Vance, in a difficult, must-win contest for Democrats. The episode also includes Jacob’s new favorite Mexican restaurant, Ky...

Nathan Gonzales and Jacob Rubashkin focus on the 2026 Senate map including a deep dive into four most important states at the core of the battleground (Georgia, Maine, Michigan and North Carolina) as well as other important states to watch including Iowa, Texas, Alaska, New Hampshire and Minnesota. Jacob reveals more book recommendations while Nathan is the undisputed King of Roller Coasters at In...

Jacob Rubashkin and Brianne Pfannenstiel of The Des Moines Register break down the key Iowa races including Republican Senator Joni Ernst’s fight for re-election, the race for the open governorship left behind by Republican Kim Reynolds and multiple competitive House races where Republican incumbents Zach Nunn, Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller Meeks are all trying to hang on for another term....

Nathan Gonzales and Jacob Rubashkin chat with Stuart Rothenberg about the beginnings of modern political handicapping, nonpartisan journalism, and some of his favorite moments covering elections for more than four decades. Stu is a Roll Call columnist, former CNN contributor and editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report, which was the foundation for Inside Elections. Stu and Charlie...