Following his departure, chief operating officer Mike Boniello has assumed a broader leadership role until a replacement is named. 

Rasmussen Reports said its majority investors Noson Lawen Partners remained committed in supporting the company and that Rasmussen Reports would continue to build on its polling technologies as well as focusing on helping further expand its products via digital business initiatives.

Meanwhile, Rasmussen himself has set up a new company, Rasmussen Media Group, to develop and invest in digital media opportunities. Rasmussen said the move was motivated by a personal desire to become more actively involved in the US political dialogue, describing himself as “an especially harsh critic of crony capitalism and the unholy alliance between big government and big business”.

Rasmussen said: “Moving from one venture to another is always a mix of excitement and sadness. We have a tremendous staff at Rasmussen Reports and I will miss them daily. But the opportunity to help empower the voice of mainstream America is terribly exciting.”