Andrew Kohut (September 2, 1942 – September 8, 2015) was an American pollster and a widely consulted, nonpartisan commentator on public affairs. He played a central role in building and leading the Pew Research Center and was regularly cited for his analysis of public opinion and political trends.
Career and leadership
Kohut was a founding director of the Pew Research Center and led its Global Attitudes Project, which produced international surveys on public views of politics, society, and policy. He served as president of the center from 2004 until 2012, guiding its expansion as a major source of public-opinion data and analysis.
Work and public role
Throughout his career Kohut combined survey research with public commentary, explaining polling results and their implications for journalists, policymakers, and the general public. He was regarded for maintaining a nonpartisan stance while interpreting trends in voter behavior, political attitudes, and public priorities.