Your Pulse on Politics

Welcome to August! This week we bring you insights on turning polling into winning strategy and the bold redistricting plays that could reshape the 2026 map. We’re also spotlighting must-hear conversations from AAPC’s Future of Political Consulting podcast [ [link removed] ] —plus a look ahead to key regional events where you can connect, learn, and change the world.
 
👉 This edition is just a sneak peek. AAPC members [ [link removed] ] get the full version—packed with exclusive insights and access to our latest research. If you’re not a member yet, now’s the time to join the network [ [link removed] ] shaping what’s next in politics.
 
Anna Ross
Membership Marketing & Communications Manager
 
In this issue…
 • Winning With Pollsters
 • The Future of Political Consulting Podcast
 • Shifting Boundaries: Political Maps in Flux
 • Interesting Reads
 • Don’t Miss

Winning With Pollsters: Insights From the Field

AAPC’s latest webinar, Winning With Pollsters, pulled back the curtain on how top strategists use research to shape winning campaigns. Moderated by Joe Desilets (Guidant Polling & Strategy), the conversation featured Travis Tunis (Fabrizio Lee & Associates), Molly Murphy (Impact Research), and Justin Barasky (Current Media).
 
Lessons From a “Safe” District Gone Competitive
Tunis walked attendees through Florida’s 6th Congressional District special election — a Trump +30 district that, early in the race, looked far too close for comfort. “We faced a big enthusiasm disadvantage… it set off the alarm bells,” Tunis explained.
 
After catching troubling signs in a second round of polling, his team pushed for…
 
Want access to the full article or the webinar recording? 👉 Join AAPC here to get the full breakdown and access to our full suite of webinar archives. [ [link removed] ]

Your Competitive Edge in Politics Starts Here: The Future of Political Consulting Podcast

In a rapidly changing political landscape, staying ahead isn’t just an advantage—it’s essential. Through candid conversations with top-tier practitioners—from campaign technologists to media producers and gender & politics scholars—AAPC’s Future of Political Consulting [ [link removed] ] podcast explores the intersections of emerging tools, shifting voter behavior, and evolving campaign ethics.
 
Whether you’re managing a national campaign, advising a local candidate, or building your consulting business, these episodes offer actionable insights you can put to work right away.

This season’s highlights include insights on:
 • Influencer collaborations that turn grassroots engagement into winning movements.
 • Data-driven targeting strategies to identify and reach decisive voters in the final stretch.
 • Combatting disinformation while adapting strategy in an unpredictable media environment.
 • Gender dynamics and how women are shaping the future of elections.
 • AI in consulting, from automation to personalized voter outreach.

Each episode delivers real-world lessons from industry leaders who’ve been in the trenches—helping you anticipate trends, avoid pitfalls, and make smarter strategic decisions. Tune in and subscribe on Apple Podcasts [ [link removed] ] or Spotify [ [link removed] ] to stay at the forefront of strategies that are shaping elections.

Shifting Boundaries: Political Maps in Flux

As you all know, redistricting activity in both Texas and California is accelerating, with each state positioning to maximize partisan advantage ahead of 2026, sparking uncertainty among the prospective strategic implications for campaigns. Mid-cycle changes could alter district competitiveness, shift voter demographics, and require rethinking everything from budget allocations to message targeting.
 
James Aldrete (MAP) notes that “it’s not the first time Texas Dems have broken quorum to derail partisan redistricting, but it may be the first time they have had an actual endgame. The ripple effects in California, Illinois, etc., as well as more red states piling on, could provide a major shuffle for 2026.”
 
For consultants, that shuffle could mean more than just adapting to new district lines — it could drive a wave of intra-party battles, as primaries, more than general elections, increasingly determine the outcome of key seats.
This uncertainty is already having a chilling effect on the ground.
As Jamie Fisfis (Pathfinder Strategic LLC) explains, “the redistricting pushes are freezing a lot of campaigns and their donors.
Candidates are waiting to see how this plays out, and in some cases, potential maps could pit them against each other.
It puts everything in slow motion and even deters some from running at all.”
 
If you want to stay ahead of the curve and connect with top political professionals discussing how to adapt in this shifting environment, AAPC’s upcoming Regional Conferences are the place to be:
 
Southwest Regional Conference | Austin, TX | September 15-16 – Register Here [ [link removed] ]
California Regional Conference | Long Beach, CA | October 20-21 – Register Here [ [link removed] ]

Interesting Reads

• More on redistricting [ [link removed] ] (POLITICO)
 • Candidate recruitment takes center stage [ [link removed] ] (The New York Times)
 • U.S. government imposes fee on Nvidia, AMD exports to China [ [link removed] ] (Axios)

Have a topic idea for future newsletters? Share them here [ [link removed] ] .

Don't Miss

• Our latest podcast episode on Future Proofing Your Team in the Age of AI and Automation [ [link removed] ]
 • Southwest Regional Conference [ [link removed] ] | Austin, TX | Sept 15-16
 • California Regional Conference [ [link removed] ] | Long Beach, CA | Oct 20-21
 • Atlanta Networking Luncheon | Atlanta, GA | Oct 30
 • Pollies 26 | Amelia Island, FL | Mar 24-26
 • AAPC’s Webinar Archive → Become a Member to View! [ [link removed] ]
 • Connect with us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]

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