Podcast: The last primaries of the year turn nasty

The Downballot

It wasn't long ago that campaigns would target voters by obtaining printed precinct maps, then literally cut them into pieces so they'd know where to send door-knockers. This week on The Downballot podcast, veteran operative John Hagner explains how he helped voter targeting emerge from the dark ages to become the sophisticated tool it is today. Hagner, the director of business development at the polling firm Civiqs, also shares some surprising insights about how to survey "low-trust" Donald Trump supporters who don't like to answer polls. One simple technique: shorter polls!

Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard kick us off by previewing the year's final Democratic primaries in Delaware and New Hampshire, several of which have turned into unexpectedly nasty affairs. But it's looking like Republicans are facing serious headwinds in the Granite State with reports that Trump is pulling out, giving Democrats a strong shot at flipping the governorship. The Davids also zoom in on a House race that's suddenly looking competitive in, of all places, Florida.

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