A political reporter walks into a singles mixer

New York Times political reporter Astead Herndon went speed dating in a swing state to ask daters fun questions, like: How early do you tell a prospective date whether you lean red or blue? When do you talk about your positions on issues like abortion or gender equality? It's hard enough to find someone you click with. Then add election year tensions to the mix, and things get even more complicated.

Today, Anna Martin, host of Modern Love, speaks with Astead Herndon, host of the weekly politics podcast “The Run-Up,” about the not-so-distant worlds of politics and dating.

Links to episode transcripts typically appear on these pages within a week.

Modern Love is hosted by Anna Martin and produced by Julia Botero, Christina Djossa, Reva Goldberg and Emily Lang. The show is edited by Paula Szuchman and Jen Poyant, our executive producer. The show is mixed by Daniel Ramirez and recorded by Maddy Masiello. It features original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Pat McCusker, Elisheba Ittop and Diane Wong. Our theme music is by Dan Powell.

Special thanks to Daniel Jones, Miya Lee, Anna Foley, Elisa Gutierrez, Caitlin O'Keefe, Rachel Dry, Lisa Tobin, Frannie Carr Toth, Sophia Lanman, Sam Dolnick, Larissa Anderson, David Halbfinger, Mahima Chablani, Nell Gallogly, Jeffrey Miranda , Renan Borelli, Nina Lassam and Julia Simon.

Thoughts? Email us at modernlovepodcast@nytimes.com.

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