Indiana political commentator Tony Katz used his daily show on 93.1 WIBC to highlight a troubling development in the world of public opinion research. A polling firm called Wedgewood Polling, whose numbers had been incorporated into major aggregators such as the New York Times, VoteHub and FiftyPlusOne, was found to have fabricated its data.
Fake polls revealed
According to a Newsweek report, researchers at FiftyPlusOne confronted Wedgewood with evidence that its survey results were not based on real respondents. In response, the firm described itself as “an experimental project” designed to demonstrate the vulnerabilities, lack of oversight, and low barrier to entry that exist in political polling. The New York Times subsequently removed fifteen of Wedgewood’s polls from its database.
Katz’s reaction on air
Katz read the firm’s statement on the air and responded, “Tony, why don’t you believe the polls? Well, there you go.” He urged listeners, “Never believe just one poll and don’t buy in.” Katz emphasized that while some races, such as those in Georgia and Ohio, provide clearer signals, Indiana’s own contests remain especially close.
Implications for Indiana races
Focusing on the Indiana Secretary of State race, Katz said the contest is “closer than Republicans would want it to be.” He noted that despite the tightness, he does not expect Republican turnout to fall short enough to hand the office to Democrat Beau Bayh. Katz added that Republicans “should have worked harder earlier,” implying that campaign strategy, not poll numbers, will determine the outcome.
Why voters should be cautious
The episode serves as a reminder that not all poll data is reliable. Katz’s warning aligns with a broader call for media literacy and critical evaluation of sources. When a poll appears on multiple reputable platforms, it can still be misleading if the underlying methodology is flawed or fabricated.
Looking ahead
As Indiana heads toward the 2026 midterm elections, voters and campaign staff alike will need to scrutinize the data they rely on. Katz’s message encourages Hoosiers to seek multiple data points, consider historical trends, and remain skeptical of any single snapshot that claims to predict electoral outcomes.
Listeners can follow Katz’s commentary on the 93.1 WIBC YouTube channel for further analysis and updates on Indiana’s political landscape.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
