Polling the Curtain Down: Smoke Filled Room Ep. 20

In this episode of Smoke Filled Room, Brad Johnson is joined by Chris Perkins of Ragnar Research, a veteran pollster in Republican politics. They discuss Chris's career journey, his experiences in political campaigns, and the recent redistricting efforts in Texas. Chris provides insights into the Republican approach to redistricting, the implications for future elections, and the competitiveness of key districts. The episode also delves into broader political themes, including the shifting demographics, the impact of the Dobbs decision, campaign strategies, and presidential election prospects for 2028.Listen to more Smoke Filled Room podcasts from our team wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, subscribe and leave us a review.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro00:52 Chris Perkins' Career Journey02:43 Redistricting and Political Implications06:36 Texas Partisan Index and Competitive Districts13:16 National Trends and Voter Priorities35:49 Hispanic Voter Shift41:05 Political Safety Concerns41:25 The Abortion Debate42:30 Impact of Dobbs44:27 Midterm Election Analysis45:54 Challenges for Republicans48:35 Redistricting and House Control51:58 Senate Race Dynamics01:01:54 Evaluating Polls01:13:08 2028 Presidential Speculations