On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game, Ryan Girdusky is joined by VoteHub Head of Data Science Zachary Donnini to break down the polling misses shaking up the 2026 election cycle.

Why did progressive and DSA-aligned candidates dramatically underperform expectations in Wisconsin and Michigan? Ryan and Zach examine the surge in primary turnout, the growing divide between highly educated urban progressives and white working-class voters, and whether pollsters are once again struggling to accurately measure the electorate.

They also dig into Black voter turnout, why Democrats are increasingly focused on electability, the limitations facing far-left candidates outside major cities, and what the latest numbers could mean for Republicans trying to hold the House and Senate in November.

Could a small polling error in states like Texas, Ohio, Iowa or Maine determine control of Congress? And are the warning signs from the Rust Belt pointing toward a much different 2026 midterm election than the national polls suggest?

Ryan and Zach break down the numbers—and what both parties should be watching as November approaches.

On this episode of It&rsquo;s a Numbers Game, Ryan Girdusky is joined by <a href="https://votehub.com/">VoteHub</a> Head of Data Science Zachary Donnini to break down the polling misses shaking up the 2026 election cycle.
Why did progressive and DSA-aligned candidates dramatically underperform expectations in Wisconsin and Michigan? Ryan and Zach examine the surge in primary turnout, the growing divide between highly educated urban progressives and white working-class voters, and whether pollsters are once again struggling to accurately measure the electorate.
They also dig into Black voter turnout, why Democrats are increasingly focused on electability, the limitations facing far-left candidates outside major cities, and what the latest numbers could mean for Republicans trying to hold the House and Senate in November.
Could a small polling error in states like Texas, Ohio, Iowa or Maine determine control of Congress? And are the warning signs from the Rust Belt pointing toward a much different 2026 midterm election than the national polls suggest?
Ryan and Zach break down the numbers&mdash;and what both parties should be watching as November approaches.

Dive into the world of data with Ryan Girdusky, an acclaimed American political commentator and writer, on "It’s a Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky." In each episode, Ryan breaks down the most crucial data on politics, economics, and culture, providing you with the insights you need to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Whether you're a data enthusiast or just looking to understand the numbers behind the headlines, Ryan is your go-to source for in-depth analysis and engaging discussions. Listen to new episodes released every Monday and get the facts that matter - subscribe now and never miss an episode!

Join the conversation and follow Ryan for exclusive insights on X.com/RyanGirdusky and Instagram.com/Ryan.James.Girdusky. Listeners of the podcast also receive a free 30-day trial to Ryan’s National Populist Newsletter at natpopnewsletter.com.

Dive into the world of data with Ryan Girdusky, an acclaimed American political commentator and writer, on "It&rsquo;s a Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky." In each episode, Ryan breaks down the most crucial data on politics, economics, and culture, providing you with the insights you need to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Whether you're a data enthusiast or just looking to understand the numbers behind the headlines, Ryan is your go-to source for in-depth analysis and engaging discussions. Listen to new episodes released every Monday and get the facts that matter - subscribe now and never miss an episode!
Join the conversation and follow Ryan for exclusive insights on&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.x.com%2FRyanGirdusky&amp;data=05%7C02%7CPodcastPublishing%40iHeartMedia.com%7C59d5813ab3ff4e4cb1ad08dd29fec8dd%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638712896468767069%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=HU2Ye188oTwGBBdwtfa7Zzu7LGCKq6ZuysH2fQpiRPY%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="0" data-ogsc="">X.com/RyanGirdusky</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2FRyan.James.Girdusky&amp;data=05%7C02%7CPodcastPublishing%40iHeartMedia.com%7C59d5813ab3ff4e4cb1ad08dd29fec8dd%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638712896468791578%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Td6COXGc%2FuIN2NLjvrAj4emHh81IpBTGvLfPiAxXqoo%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="">Instagram.com/Ryan.James.Girdusky</a>. Listeners of the podcast also receive a free 30-day trial to Ryan&rsquo;s National Populist Newsletter at natpopnewsletter.com.

It's A Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky

On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game, Ryan Girdusky is joined by VoteHub Head of Data Science Zachary Donnini to break down the polling misses shaking up the 2026 election cycle.  Why did progressive and DSA-aligned candidates dramatically underperform expectations in Wisconsin and Michigan?

It's a Numbers Game: The Polling Error That Could Decide the 2026 Midterms

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fd0ee30f-3289-42fc-8484-b4a60034a2c3/transcript