Wedgewood Polling admits fake data

Wedgewood Polling admitted using fabricated numbers for an experimental project to demonstrate flaws in modern political polling.

Democrats react to pollster's admission

Democrats are furious after a pollster boosting far-left candidates admitted to fabricating surveys, calling them 'absolute scumbags'.

“Absolute scumbags”

Abdel El-Sayed's campaign impact

Abdel El-Sayed's campaign cited Wedgewood polls during a high-profile Michigan Senate primary race against state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens.

Wisconsin gubernatorial race affected

Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong lost to establishment-backed candidate Rep. Tom Tiffany after Wedgewood polls showed her leading.

McMorrow's campaign donations dried up

Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow said Wedgewood's numbers caused her donations to dry up and reporters to 'hound' her with calls to drop out of the race.

“hounded”

Democrat strategist's super PAC

Democrat strategist Jennifer Holdsworth ran a super PAC that raised money for McMorrow and saw the poll used by donors to pull back funding after being outspent by $80 million.

“this poll was used by several donors to pull back funding at a time we were being outspent by $80 million”

Major outlets removed Wedgewood polls

The New York Times removed 15 Wedgewood polls between June and October after it admitted to fabricating data, while Decision Desk HQ removed 17 polls without changing seat projections.

“has not changed the projected seat totals or chamber control probabilities in the Senate or House”

Wedgewood's 'social experiment' claim

Wedgewood Polling stated it was never intended to sway an election but rather aimed as a 'wake-up call' about data integrity and vetting standards.

“wake-up call”