Our Story

Hart Research was founded by Peter D. Hart in 1971.

Peter’s approach to crafting questions for surveys and focus groups allowed respondents to drop their guard and answer questions honestly—who would you rather carpool with, Jimmy Carter or Ronald Reagan?—and it became recognized by the nascent industry as a novel and insightful approach. Peter was masterful in conducting focus groups, and thanks to him, within a decade the firm was widely known for its creative approach to qualitative research, which unveils the preconscious level of public attitudes and opinions, uncovering the meaning behind the numbers.

Geoff Garin, who joined the firm in 1976, became the next president of Hart Research in 1999, growing the firm’s list of political clients and Democratic wins. Geoff transformed public opinion research into a policy-shaping tool. His laser focus on policy impact and staying true to Hart Research’s progressive values guided, to this day, every aspect of how the firm does business. As Geoff focused on political polling and campaign strategy, Peter grew the firm’s private sector business and developed its expertise in consumer behavior and social and cultural trends.

Peter retired after the 2020 election, and Geoff handed the reins to longtime partner Fred Yang.

Fred’s entire career has been at Hart Research. He started as Peter Hart’s assistant in 1987, while he was still an undergraduate at Stanford University. Fred worked his way up, to analyst, vice president, to partner, and to his current position of CEO.

Who are we now?

Now, and for more than 50 years, Hart Research conducts public opinion research at the national, state, and community levels for candidates for public office, advocacy organizations, trade associations, foundations, and private industry.

Known and respected for our quality, creativity, and experience, Hart Research uses specialized qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide its clients with innovative, strategic guidance on brand management, public persuasion, messaging, membership and audience evaluation, issue advocacy, and voter and consumer trends.

We help lead social change movements to raise awareness of critical issues, such as worker rights, reproductive rights, gay marriage, and the need for environment protections.

Since 1989, Hart Research proudly serves as the Democratic pollster for the bipartisan NBC News Poll, considered the gold standard of national polls.

Polling is science and art. A craft. We have honed the craft and continue to do so, marrying decades of institutional experience and intuition regarding political and social trends. Over the years, we have adopted new data science and analytic methods and combined them with our decades of knowledge.

Our team is impressive. We hire the smartest minds. Curious minds. Our experts include five PhDs who work collaboratively, with rigor and integrity. We are comfortable with the unvarnished truth.

Hart Research is proud of its origins and history. We are at the top of our game and eager for the next chapter.

The Hart Research way.

Ask the right questions with respect. Listen. Analyze. Strategize. Don’t talk at people; spark conversation. Deepen understanding across divides; cultivate respect.

We strive to engage in meaningful conversations and, ultimately, to unite the nation in this polarizing time.

Every voice heard. Every opinion counted.