USA TODAY and Suffolk University have formed a polling affiliation that will focus on key U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races leading up to the 2014 midterm elections this November. The Suffolk University/USA TODAY polls will gauge public opinion on important statewide issues and its impact on these races.

“We are pleased that USA TODAY has recognized the Suffolk University Political Research Center’s accuracy and the astute analysis offered by its director, David Paleologos, by selecting Suffolk as a polling partner for the coming election cycle,” said University President James McCarthy. “Our polling serves the electorate by providing perspective on the electoral climate, and the affiliation with USA TODAY provides a wonderful opportunity to disseminate the survey information to its millions of readers.”

Paleologos will provide surveys throughout the mid-term election season on a schedule to be determined by the center and USA TODAY.

“We are excited to announce our new collaboration with the Suffolk University Political Research Center as our polling partner in states that have the most competitive Senate and gubernatorial races across the country this year,” said USA TODAY President and Publisher Larry Kramer. “The findings will provide insights in an election in which control of the Senate is at stake. USA TODAY uses polling to stay in touch with Americans' views and give the public a platform to voice their opinions about the most important issues facing the country – on jobs, the economy and foreign affairs. We think it's important to recognize and explore the diversity of public opinion in the United States and welcome the opportunity to maximize the political expertise and analysis behind such polling with the Suffolk University Political Research Center as our partner.”

USA TODAY expects to provide extensive coverage of the polls online and in print editions and will make the information available to all sites within the USA TODAY National News Network, which includes 81 local newspapers and 46 owned or serviced TV stations, covering 30 percent of the U.S. population and nearly 35 million households.

The Suffolk University Political Research Center, established in 2002, examines statewide political races and analyzes voters' opinions on key issues through polls and bellwether survey analyses. Its presidential primary polls have predicted outcomes in many key battleground states, and its survey research has gained national and international attention for its high degree of accuracy.

Poll results will be released to the news media following publication by USA TODAY and properties within the USA TODAY National News Network.

News organizations and journalists who wish to be added to the distribution of news releases on the Suffolk University/USA TODAY polls, marginals and cross-tabulation data may email: [email protected] or [email protected].