Polling Firm Admits Fabricating Data, Sparking Outrage Among Democrats

A polling firm known as Wedgewood Polling has admitted to fabricating survey data, prompting significant backlash from Democratic strategists and candidates who claim the deception influenced crucial primary races. The firm stated its actions were part of an "experimental project to demonstrate the vulnerabilities, lack of oversight, and overall low barrier to entry in the modern political polling industry."

Wedgewood's fabricated numbers were cited in several high-profile races. In Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, the firm's polls projected far-left candidate Abdul El-Sayed as a strong contender against U.S. House Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow. According to McMorrow, these polls led to a decrease in donations and prompted media inquiries about her withdrawing from the race. El-Sayed, however, advanced from the primary and is now in a competitive race against Republican Mike Rogers.

In Wisconsin's gubernatorial primary, Wedgewood polls suggested socialist Francesca Hong had an edge over Republican Tom Tiffany. Hong ultimately lost her primary to the establishment-backed candidate.

Democrats have condemned the firm's actions. "These people are absolute scumbags," said veteran Democratic strategist Mike Nellis, a former Kamala Harris advisor. "They can try to claim that they have some moral high ground here, but they lied about their polling data, got caught, and are freaking out because they've committed fraud."

Jennifer Holdsworth, a Democratic strategist who ran a super PAC supporting McMorrow, stated that Wedgewood's poll was used by donors to withdraw funding at a time her campaign was being significantly outspent. "Trust is already at an all-time low. We don't get out of this mess without rebuilding trust," McMorrow said in a statement. "And media - who loves to ride the drama of a pollercoaster - needs to take a hard look at what's legitimate and what's not."

Major news outlets, including The New York Times and Decision Desk HQ, had cited Wedgewood's polls in their projections. The New York Times has since removed 15 polls from Wedgewood released between June and October, stating that the firm had provided answers regarding methodology and funding during their vetting process. Decision Desk HQ removed 17 Wedgewood polls but noted this did not alter their overall projections for chamber control.

Wedgewood Polling maintained that its actions were not intended to sway elections but to serve as a "wake-up call" regarding data integrity. However, independent outlet FiftyPlusOne, which was investigating Wedgewood for fabricating data, called the firm's explanation a "cover up their fraud with the 'social experiment' excuse."

Former Obama staffer Tommy Vietor echoed the sentiment, labeling Wedgewood's actions as "lying and fraud." Nellis suggested that those responsible should face legal consequences and called for a broader reflection within the political sphere on how polling data is verified.

Wedgewood had also previously run a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for polling in Nebraska's gubernatorial and Senate races, raising $500 of its $5,000 goal. Nellis questioned whether crowdfunded money would be returned and if prosecution would follow.

The revelations come as polling accuracy has been a recurring point of contention in U.S. politics. Notably, polls in 2016 suggested Hillary Clinton had an advantage over Donald Trump, contrary to the final election results. With control of Congress at stake in the upcoming November elections, scrutiny of all data points, including polls, is intensified.