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.

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TIMESTAMPS: 
00:00 Intro
00:52 Chris Perkins' Career Journey
02:43 Redistricting and Political Implications
06:36 Texas Partisan Index and Competitive Districts
13:16 National Trends and Voter Priorities
35:49 Hispanic Voter Shift
41:05 Political Safety Concerns
41:25 The Abortion Debate
42:30 Impact of Dobbs
44:27 Midterm Election Analysis
45:54 Challenges for Republicans
48:35 Redistricting and House Control
51:58 Senate Race Dynamics
01:01:54 Evaluating Polls
01:13:08 2028 Presidential Speculations