Political Breakdown

Congresswoman Jackie Speier joins Scott and Marisa to talk about the end of her final session in the House, her work combatting sexual violence in the military, how personal trauma has shaped her political career, the promise to her husband that led to her retirement and the foundation she is launching in San Mateo County. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola made history when she won election to the House this year, becoming the state's first Alaska Native representative. Peltola talks to Marisa and Scott about her childhood and Yup’ik heritage, the dynamics of Alaska politics, her relationship with Sarah Palin and the future of rural Democrats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's legislation targeting oil companies and what Congress' passage of the Respect for Marriage Act means for Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Then, Oakland Mayor-Elect Sheng Thao joins to discuss her family's journey from Laos, experiencing homelessness and living in "survival mode," the internship at Oakland city hall that changed her life, and how she'll deal with public safety, homelessness and the Oakland A's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss the upcoming Senate runoff in Georgia with Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors Editor for the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Rahul Bali, political reporter with WABE. Then, Marc Sandalow with the University of California's Washington Center joins to talk about Nancy Pelosi's legacy, the new faces in House Democratic leadership and the challenges ahead for Kevin McCarthy's potential speakership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins' first few months in office and her election victory. Then, they revisit their July conversation with Jenkins, who talked about the loss of her son, her path to becoming the city's top prosecutor and her vision for the office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Guy Marzorati react to Nancy Pelosi's announcement that she will not remain in House leadership, before recapping some of the latest results from around the state. Then, Hayward city councilmember Aisha Wahab discuss her historic victory in a race for state senate, her journey through foster care and the small business perspective she hopes to bring to Sacramento. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss the midterm results in California: from tight House races to statewide offices and propositions. Then, Democratic congressional candidate Will Rollins joins to talk about waiting for results in his deadlocked race with incumbent Ken Calvert, his career in counterterrorism and how redistricting reshaped his run for Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss the spread of falsehoods about the Paul Pelosi attack and prebunking disinformation with NPR correspondent Shannon Bond, before looking ahead to the races for mayor and sheriff in Los Angeles with Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa recap their experience moderating California's only gubernatorial debate of the 2022 election and discuss the results of the latest polling on Proposition 30. Then, longtime California political consultant Garry South joins to share his thoughts on the debate and the future political prospects of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris, the Los Angeles mayoral election and how he got the nickname "the Mouth." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa revisit parts of their October 5 conversation with San Francisco Mayor London Breed at KQED Live. Breed discusses her tenure as mayor and the criticism she faced for asking some appointees to sign undated letters of resignation. Breed also made controversial comments about Hondurans and drug dealing, which she apologized for on Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott hit the road to spend time in two of the most competitive congressional districts in California. Scott heads to Riverside County to interview Will Rollins, the Democrat taking on incumbent Republican Ken Calvert in the 41st district. And Marisa talks to Rudy Salas, the Democratic Assemblyman running for Congress against Republican David Valadao in the 22nd district. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa preview their upcoming governor's debate and discuss why expensive campaigns to legalize sports betting are falling flat with California voters. Then, Congressman Mike Garcia joins to talk about his childhood and what inspired him to serve as a Navy pilot, his pitch to Biden opponents who disagree with his stance on abortion and why he voted against certifying the electoral votes of Arizona and Pennsylvania on January 6. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott sit down with attorney Nathan Hochman, a Republican running for Attorney General against incumbent Rob Bonta. Hochman shares his campaign slogan for high school class president, how he'll pursue the "hard middle" on criminal justice policy, his views on Propositions 47 and 57, his thoughts on Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and how he will tackle the state's fentanyl crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa are joined by Attorney General Rob Bonta, who discusses his new initiative to reduce gun violence and how the state is preparing for the potential arrival of migrants from red states. Bonta also shares his vision for public safety in California, and how his background has shaped his views on a controversial farm worker unionization bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss how key state ballot measures are fairing in a new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California. Then, State Senator Brian Dahle joins to talk about his family's farming history, his run for governor and what it's like being married to a fellow state legislator, Megan Dahle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Scott and Marisa talk about the rolling blackouts that didn't happen, and why -- despite that political win -- Governor Gavin Newsom seems grumpy this week. Then, they're joined by NPR White House Correspondent Tamara Keith (a former KQED reporter!) to talk about Biden's recent speech, the midterm elections and her new children's book, "Claire and the Eager Speaker." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Guy Marzorati head to Sacramento to recap the end of the legislative session with POLITICO's Lara Korte, including Governor Gavin Newsom's climate agenda and the deal to extend the life of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. Then, Jessica Morse, Deputy Secretary for Forest and Wildland Resilience at the California Natural Resources Agency, joins to discuss the wildfire threat from the state's heat wave, her family's history in California, her time in Iraq and run for Congress in 2018, and the administration's plan for wildfire resilience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S Senator Alex Padilla joins Marisa and Guy Marzorati to talk about the federal response to the Monkeypox outbreak and President Biden's forgiveness of student loan debt. They also discuss water shortages on the Colorado River, working with Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema, the midterms and Padilla's adjustment to a cross-country commute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With two weeks left in the legislative session, Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss two of the most controversial bills in the state capitol. First, KQED Labor Correspondent Farida Jhabvala-Romero joins to talk about the changes to the fast food industry proposed in Assembly Bill 257 and Jason Elliot, Senior Counselor to Governor Gavin Newsom on housing and homelessness, discusses the administration's CARE Court proposal (Senate Bill 1338) for Californians with severe mental illness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott head to Sacramento, where the legislature is in the home stretch of the session. They analyze Governor Gavin Newsom's nomination of Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia Guerrero to become the state's next Chief Justice and discuss whether Newsom will sign a bill to create safe drug consumption sites in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland. Then, Democratic Assemblyman Adam Gray joins to talk about growing up in Merced County, his splits with party leadership and his run for Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrat Jay Chen is hoping to flip the 45th congressional district in northern Orange County -- it's one of the most competitive districts in California. Scott and Marisa talk to Chen about growing up the son of Taiwanese immigrants; his service in the U.S. Navy and why he's taking on Republican Michelle Steel in a district that's one-third Asian and home to the largest Vietnamese population in the nation. We spoke with Steel last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott head to Southern California, where several key House contests are underway. First, they discuss California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye's decision not to seek another term and reaction to Governor Newsom's opposition to Proposition 30. Then, Democrat Christy Smith joins to share stories from her life and career and talk about her run for Congress in the 27th district. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Guy Marzorati discuss the House vote to recognize same-sex marriage on the federal level and local criticism to the federal response to the monkeypox outbreak. Then, Board of Equalization chair Malia Cohen joins to discuss her childhood in San Francisco, the meeting with then-mayor Dianne Feinstein that changed her life, her experience at Lowell High School and her run for state Controller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa sit down with new San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who talks about her family's experience with law enforcement, the loss of her first son and her path to the district attorney's office. Jenkins also discusses her approach to drug crimes, whether San Francisco police undermined Chesa Boudin and what policy changes she plans for the office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss the latest in prosecutor politics around the state, from the milestone reached by the campaign to recall George Gascón to the appointment of Brooke Jenkins as San Francisco's District Attorney. They also talk about Governor Gavin Newsom's forays into other states and Senator Dianne Feinstein's position on a carve-out to the filibuster to pass abortion rights legislation. Then, they revisit a January 2021 conversation with Orange County Rep. Michelle Steel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Pete Aguilar joins Scott and Guy Marzorati to discuss his work on the committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Then, political strategist Marva Diaz joins for an early look at the state ballot measures going before California voters in the fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott talk with Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan about how Democrats in the state legislature are preparing for a possible reversal of Roe v. Wade and where talks stand on an inflation relief legislation. Then, John Myers, former capitol bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times and KQED, joins to talk about his career covering state government as he heads to become Chief of Public Affairs at CalPERS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss how updated vote counts have changed primary election night narratives and analyze the key role of Californians in the January 6 hearings. Then, longtime LGBTQ legal rights advocate Kate Kendell, with The California Endowment, joins to talk about her career of legal victories, why she thinks civil liberties advocates "can't count on the court anymore,' her roots in the Mormon church and career at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss the recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and what Tuesday's election results say about criminal justice reform with Cristine Soto DeBerry, executive director of the Prosecutors Alliance. And Joe Garofoli, senior political writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, joins to talk about Boudin, statewide results and primaries in key congressional races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa check in with CalMatters reporter Alexei Koseff about Assemblyman Robert Rivas' push to replace Anthony Rendon as Assembly Speaker. Then, Los Angeles Times national political correspondent Melanie Mason joins to discuss congressional primaries in Central Valley, Los Angeles and Orange County swing districts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss how Gov. Gavin Newsom and California legislators are responding to the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas and KQED housing reporter Erin Baldassari gives an update on Newsom's CARE Court plan passing the state Senate. Then, KPCC Civics and Democracy Correspondent Frank Stoltze and Loyola Law School professor Jessica Levinson join to discuss the elections for mayor and sheriff in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss where the money is going in contentious elections for attorney general and district attorney and the split between editorials and polling in the Chesa Boudin recall. Then, Christian Arana, Vice President of Policy at the Latino Community Foundation, joins to talk about the organization's recent poll of Latino voters in California ahead of the midterm election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott preview Governor Gavin Newsom's revised budget announcement and discuss his gas tax relief proposal. Then, Marin Assemblyman Marc Levine joins to discuss his path into politics, his upset election to the state Assembly, his record on housing policy and his current run to unseat fellow Democrat Ricardo Lara as Insurance Commissioner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss the fallout in California from the leaked draft SCOTUS opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, including the legislature's response and a likely November ballot measure on abortion access. Then, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara joins to discuss his childhood with immigrant parents and his mother's influence, his work on immigration issues in the state legislature, the ethics scandals that he's faced as insurance commissioner and his campaign for re-election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott talk with Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman about the debate over rebates for Californians, her CARE Courts plan for residents with severe mental illness, her family roots in agriculture, coming out while serving in the military and her work on end of life legislation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss the results from this week's special election for state Assembly in San Francisco, and preview the path ahead for Gov. Gavin Newsom's CARE Court and gas tax relief proposals. Then, Secretary of State Shirley Weber joins to discuss threats to democracy and election workers, changes to voting through the Voter's Choice Act, the proliferation of special elections in the state and her work on reparations in California. From 2020: Dr. Shirley Weber on Her Family's Journey to California and the Teachers Who Paved Her Path Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the San Francisco Chronicle's bombshell report on Senator Dianne Feinstein's mental acuity, a new poll on California voter priorities and messaging challenges for the campaign to defeat the recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Then, Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president of the Western States Petroleum Association, joins to discuss California's high gas prices and the future of the state's cap-and-trade system to reduce emissions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the rush to political responses after Sunday's mass shooting in Sacramento and the flood of spending in special legislative elections. Then, E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, joins to discuss his childhood in the Coachella Valley and family roots in agriculture, his path into government and the challenges and opportunities facing the state amid a historic drought. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Guy Marzorati analyze Governor Gavin Newsom's big water policy moves, along with legislation on evictions and vaccines. Then, Republican policy advisor Lanhee Chen joins to discuss his childhood in the San Gabriel Valley, early forays into political work, why he's running for state Controller and where he stands on issues including pension divestment and allowing the state to accept cryptocurrency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation hearings and California's new state Supreme Court justice, as well as Governor Gavin Newsom's tax refund plan and the fate of bills to roll back criminal justice reforms. Then, Rep. Sara Jacobs joins to discuss the latest in the U.S. response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, her San Diego roots and bringing a millennial voice to Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss proposals in the state legislature to address rising gas prices and Gov. Gavin Newsom's push for his CARE Court plan. Then, Bill Wong, recently retired Political Director of the California Assembly Democrats, shares his thoughts on the rebate proposals, the "Prop 187 moment" facing AAPI voters and the history and future of the Democrats' supermajority in the state legislature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss Gov. Gavin Newsom's State of the State speech and his proposal for tax rebates in the face of rising gas prices. Then, Keely Bosler, Director of the California Department of Finance joins to break down the state budget process, the differences working for Newsom and Gov. Jerry Brown and her childhood in a family of dairy farmers in Siskiyou County. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss the political implications of the California Supreme Court's decision to freeze undergraduate enrollment at the University of California, Berkeley and Governor Gavin Newsom's new plan to compel more homeless people with mental health and addiction issues into care. Then, political consultant Bill Burton joins to analyze President Joe Biden's State of the Union and the party's changing relationship with tech. He also reflects on his childhood in Buffalo and his time in the Obama White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss how California leaders are responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and new poll numbers showing support for vaccine and mask mandates in California schools. Then, Saikat Chakrabarti, president of the think tank New Consensus, joins to talk about the tools he developed while working for Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign, running Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's campaign and congressional office and why progressives should focus more on building supply to address climate change and affordability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss the Newsom administration's "new phase" of pandemic response and talk to Guy Marzorati about what can be gleaned (and not gleaned) from the recall of three San Francisco school board members. Then, Los Angeles city councilman Mike Bonin joins to talk about his decision to not seek re-election after facing a recall threat, being open about his struggles with depression, the overlap between critics of homelessness and opponents of new housing, and his spat with Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott talks with Scott and Marisa about his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama, witnessing the buildup to the 1992 Los Angeles uprising while serving in the LAPD, how he'd grade his work after five years at the helm of SFPD and his decision to pull out of an agreement that allows District Attorney Chesa Boudin's office to investigate officer shootings and other serious uses of force. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss the failure of a bill to move California toward a single-payer health care system and a new mask controversy facing Governor Gavin Newsom. Then, Doni Chamberlain, reporter for A News Cafe in Shasta County, joins to talk about the results of a recall election there against Supervisor Leonard Moty. Finally, Kamilah Moore, chair of California's Reparations Task Force, discusses her work, California's role in chattel slavery and what forms reparations could take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss whether a Californian will replace Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court and react to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement that she'll run for another term. Then, Republican Congresswoman Young Kim shares stories from her childhood moves from South Korea to Guam and Hawaii, working for former Congressman Ed Royce as a liaison to Asian residents and her views on immigration, infrastructure, oil spills and changes to her district lines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss Senator Dianne Feinstein's filibuster vote, more congressional retirements and whether the state legislature will move to tighten California's vaccine requirements in schools and offices. Then, Sara Sadhwani, assistant professor of politics at Pomona College joins to discuss her study of "social lobbying" in the state capitol and her role in drawing California's new political maps on the state's redistricting commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As California grapples with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, Marisa and Scott discuss Governor Gavin Newsom and the legislature's approach to keep schools open and review the highlights from Newsom's spending plan. Then, San Jose Assemblyman Ash Kalra joins to discuss his proposal for a single-payer healthcare system in California, his family's journey from India to Canada and his vegan cooking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices