Staff Bios

Geoffrey Garin

Geoffrey Garin is the president of Peter D. Hart Research Associates, one of the nation's leading survey research firms. He became president of Hart Research in 1984, after having worked in the firm since 1978 as a senior analyst and vice president. Mr. Garin has brought his skill, insight, and innovative approaches as a researcher and strategist to a wide variety of fields – including social and economic policy, consumer marketing, and politics.

Mr. Garin has undertaken landmark policy research for many of the nation’s leading foundations and educational institutions. He has conducted major studies on high school reform and global health issues for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as research for the Pew Charitable Trusts on foster care, early education, and consumer credit. He has conducted influential studies related to higher education for the University of California system, the College Board, and the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Mr. Garin’s work on health care issues includes research for Stanford University’s Center on Longevity, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. He has undertaken research studies on foreign policy issues for the United Nations Foundation, and the U.S. Center for Global Engagement, and CARE, among others. Additionally, he conducts the direct marketing research for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and many other donor-based charitable and advocacy organizations, and has led major research projects for major corporations and trade associations in a variety of sectors.

In politics, Mr. Garin has a well-earned reputation for helping candidates win in difficult
circumstances. Mr. Garin has directed the polling and created winning campaign strategies for many of the leading Democrats serving in the U.S. Senate, including Dick Durbin, Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, Russ Feingold, Robert C. Byrd, Jay Rockefeller, Patrick Leahy, Max Baucus, Kent Conrad, Byron Dorgan, and Bernie Sanders. He is recognized as a leader in helping Democratic campaigns incorporate advanced analytical techniques, including segmentation analysis and predictive modeling. In 2008, he helped direct the strategy team for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign during its final two months.

Since 1993, Mr. Garin has conducted polling on the attitudes of younger Americans for MTV. On behalf of EMILY’s List, he has directed ongoing research about the political attitudes and values of women. Mr. Garin also has conducted extensive strategic research for the American labor movement, including projects for the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Service Employees International Union.

Mr. Garin graduated from Harvard College in 1975. He has appeared on the news programs of every major network, and he has served as on-air analyst for CBS Radio's coverage of the national election returns for every election cycle since 1990. He is married to Deborah Berkowitz, an expert in occupational safety and health, and is the father of two sons, Andy and Danny.