Simpson College announced it will partner with RABA Research, a bipartisan polling firm launched this year, to conduct joint polling of political races. Simpson’s political science department and its nonpartisan John C. Culver Public Policy Center will work with RABA (Red America Blue America) Research to conduct a series of polls leading up to and immediately following the 2016 general election. “Simpson College is excited to join forces with RABA Research to conduct balanced polling of important political races and issues,” Simpson President Jay Simmons said in a release. Under the agreement, Simpson and RABA Research are developing a preferred internship program to provide qualified Simpson students real-world experience in survey research, polling methods and public relations. The firm’s principals in Iowa are Tim Albrecht, owner of Albrecht Public Relations and former communications director for Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, and Brad Anderson, former Iowa state director for Obama for America and 2014 Democratic nominee for Iowa secretary of state.