Ballotpedia: Scott Rasmussen
Scott Rasmussen is an Editor-at-Large at Ballotpedia.
The Washington Post called Scott Rasmussen “a driving force in American politics.” The Wall Street Journal described him as “America’s Insurgent Pollster” and a “key player in the contact sport of politics.”
Long recognized as one of the world’s leading public opinion pollsters, Scott is the publisher of ScottRasmussen.com and Editor-at-Large for Ballotpedia. He is committed to enhancing the public dialogue through data-driven analysis that explores the underlying currents of public opinion.
“Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day,” published each weekday by Ballotpedia, features newsworthy and interesting topics at the intersection of politics, culture, and technology. Through the ScottRasmussen.com Daily Tracking Poll, Scott focuses on foundational public attitudes rather than the partisan political obsessions of official Washington.
Innovation has been a hallmark of Scott’s career. In 1978, the then-new technology of satellite communications dramatically reduced the cost of sending a broadcast signal around the nation. Building upon that opportunity, Scott and his father, Bill, founded ESPN, the cable sports network.
In the 1990s, the birth of the Internet provided the unique opportunity to capitalize on another ground-breaking technology. Scott launched his first website in 1994 and became the first pollster to offer data directly to the public rather than filtered through a network reporter. It was also at this time that Scott saw the potential for the concept of automated polling and ultimately revolutionized the polling industry. In just over a decade, Scott’s work attracted more Google searches than the long-established industry leader—Gallup.
Today, the era of phone polling is coming to an end, and Scott is again looking to the future. He is working with HarrisX and using next generation practices to develop reliable polling for the digital era.
In 2003, Scott founded Rasmussen Reports and served as President of the company for the following decade. Over time, however, he and the majority investors had different visions for the company’s future. In January 2013, Scott informed the board that he would not renew his contract. He left in July of that year and has not been involved with the firm since that time.
His most recent book, The Sun is Still Rising: Politics Has Failed But America Will Not, was published in 2018 by the Sutherland Institute. The book explains Scott’s optimism about our nation’s future despite his deep pessimism over our broken political system. Co-founder of No Labels, Mark McKinnon, says the book features “some of the freshest, most inspiring thinking I’ve read in years…There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and Rasmussen has found it.”
Fox News Analyst Juan Williams described the book as “a gripping, history-based account… on how change really happens before the politicians run to the front of the parade.” It is “an optimistic, open-hearted book” according to Brookings Institution scholar Jonathan Rauch. “Rasmussen delivers a spirited and timely reminder that civic groups, innovative businesses, and personal networks are where the real action will be in the 21st century—and that their potential to improve our lives and our country is vast.”
A New York Times bestselling author, Scott clearly articulates the reality that governing society is not the responsibility of government alone. Every organization and relationship has a role to play. He shares this message along with insightful political analysis as a sought-after public speaker and syndicated columnist.
Rasmussen grew up in the broadcasting industry and served as an announcer for the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association. Rasmussen's childhood idol, hockey legend Gordie Howe, played for the team during that time. Rasmussen served as emcee for Howe's 50th birthday celebration in 1978, which Rasmussen cites as a highlight of his life: "Nothing in my professional career will ever equal the thrill of standing at center ice in the spotlight with Gordie to celebrate his birthday."
Scott graduated with a degree in history from DePauw University and earned his MBA at Wake Forest University. He is married and has two grown sons and a daughter-in-law.
Contact
- Request an interview: Media@ballotpedia.org
- E-mail Scott: Scott@ScottRasmussen.com
- Website: ScottRasmussen.com
