Center for Politics Staff

Dr. Larry J. Sabato is a New York Times best–selling author, four-time Emmy winner, and one of the nation’s most respected political analysts. A frequent guest on major networks such as CNN, BBC, and CNN International, he provides sharp, insightful commentary on American politics. A Rhodes Scholar, Dr. Sabato is the founder and director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, and has held visiting appointments at Oxford and Cambridge universities. Over his distinguished career, he has taught over 20,000 students in his career, earning the Thomas Jefferson Award, the University of Virginia’s highest honor. In 2021 he celebrated his 50th year of association with the University of Virginia.

Dr. Sabato has authored or edited more than two dozen books on American politics. His latest, The Red Ripple: The 2022 Midterm Elections and What They Mean for 2024, analyzed the November 2022 elections and the implications for the 2024 presidential race.

As the head of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, he has built one of the most trusted political forecasting platforms in the country. The Crystal Ball has won numerous accolades, including a recent feature as a Jeopardy! question. The Pew Charitable Trust ranked it the #1 leader in political prediction and The Daily Beast recognized it as a top political site. In 2020, Harvard Political Review declared it the most accurate in forecasting the Electoral College, stating: “While crystal balls may not exist in real life, Larry Sabato’s editorial team might be the next best thing.” In 2024, an independent review by Split Ticket found the Crystal Ball to be the most accurate of all predictors of House, Senate and presidential elections. 

Dr. Sabato has received four Emmys for historical and political documentaries, including:

• Out of Order – an exposé on dysfunction in the U.S. Senate
• The Kennedy Half-Century – a look at JFK’s life, assassination, and enduring impact
• Feeling Good About America – an exploration of the 1976 presidential election
• Charlottesville – a gripping account of the tragic events of August 11-12, 2017

An influential voice in political discourse, Dr. Sabato is active on social media. His Twitter feed (@LarrySabato) was named one of the 140 best by Time.