Political Breakdown

Larry Elder, the leading candidate to potentially replace Governor Gavin Newsom in the recall election, cancels his appearance on Political Breakdown for the second straight week. Marisa and Scott call up Politico California senior writer Carla Marinucci and KQED politics reporter Katie Orr to discuss Carla's story about Elder brandishing a gun at his ex-fiancée. They also discuss Elder's attitude...

Scott and Marisa discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's vaccine mandate for teachers and the sharp contrast it draws with his Republican challengers in the recall election. Then, Ludovic Blain, Executive Director of the California Donor Table joins to discuss the organization's work, the California law that is shrinking the electorate in local races and what's missing in the message and strategy of Newso...

Marisa and Guy Marzorati recap the first recall candidate debate and discuss how the Newsom campaign is responding to the emergence of Larry Elder as the leading replacement candidate. Then, Teri Holoman, Associate Executive Director of Governmental Relations at the California Teachers Association joins to discuss her early mentors in politics, the importance of creating space for Black women in p...

With weeks until ballots are mailed out in California's September 14th gubernatorial recall election, Guy Marzorati and Katie Orr talk with Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, one of the candidates vying to potentially replace Governor Gavin Newsom. Kiley shares how he would respond to the latest rise in COVID-19 cases, whether California should change its recall laws, his experience in Teach for...

The field of candidates hoping to replace Governor Gavin Newsom in the September 14 recall election is set at 46 contenders. Scott and Katie Orr discuss court rulings this week that reshaped the ballot. Then, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria joins to discuss his early interest in politics and coming out, the changing politics of his city, how to create a "bigger city vision" for San Diego and his favor...

Before the Friday deadline for candidates to enter the recall election, Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the state of the race and the challenge of turning out voters for a summer election. Then, Suzette Martinez Valladares, Republican Assemblywoman from Santa Clarita, joins to discuss her family's history in California and how it has shaped her views on issues like criminal justice, her recent re...

As President Joe Biden pitches a bipartisan infrastructure plan, Scott and Marisa revisit their May interview with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who discusses the rational for clean energy investments, and reflects on her time governing a purple state and how she has balanced career and political aspirations in her marriage. This interview first aired on May 27, 2021. Learn more about your a...

Governor Gavin Newsom will face voters on September 14, as Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis announces the date of the recall election. Marisa and Scott discuss the latest in the recall campaign and Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on voting rights. Then, author Mark Arax joins to discuss whether California's latest drought could reshape the state's water politics, his reporting on the Resn...

Scott and Marisa talk to Kim Foxx, the State's Attorney for Cook County, Illinois about President Joe Biden's plan to push back against a national surge in violent crime. Foxx also discusses what's causing the increase in crime and reacts to criticism of progressive prosecutors, before sharing stories of her childhood and 8th grade election victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

Marisa and Scott talk with WLRN's Caitie Switalski Muñoz to compare the pandemic response and recovery in California and Florida. Then, Jessica Post, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, joins to discuss what went wrong for Democrats in statehouse campaigns in 2020, her ten-year vision to flip state legislatures and the most important statehouse battlegrounds in 2022. Learn...

California Democrats vow to fight a federal ruling overturning the state's assault weapons ban. Scott and Marisa reunite in-studio to analyze the political fallout from the ruling and discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' trip to Guatemala and Mexico. Then, Honey Mahogany, chair of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee joins to discuss her childhood in the city, her career as a dra...

Could Californians vote on the recall of Governor Gavin Newsom as soon as this summer? Scott and Marisa discuss the potential and politics of an expedited recall timeline with KQED's Guy Marzorati. Then, Washington Post columnist Karen Tumulty joins to discuss her book "The Triumph of Nancy Reagan," sharing stories of the first lady's time in Sacramento and Washington, the Reagans as parents, and...

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Marisa and Guy Marzorati are joined by Republican consultant Liz Mair to discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's vulnerabilities in the recall election. Mair also shares her experience on the 2012 campaign to defeat the recall of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, why California Rep. Devin Nunes is suing her and why she has remained in the Republican Party as a critic of former President Donald Trump.  Lear...

Marisa and Scott discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's plans for a projected $75.7 billion surplus, and new polling that finds flatlining support for recalling the governor. Then, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon joins to discuss the state budget, investments in transitional kindergarten, when the governor's emergency powers should end and his pandemic reading list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Scott and Marisa discuss the growing spectacle of the recall campaign, including John Cox stumping with a live bear and Caitlyn Jenner's interview on Fox News. Then, former California Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols joins to discuss how she arrived in California, working for Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger, how Joe Biden has followed California's lead on climate policy and the potenti...

Marisa and Scott recap the historic Bay Area presence at President Joe Biden's address to Congress on Wednesday night and KQED's Guy Marzorati joins to discuss the major milestone in the recall campaign against Governor Gavin Newsom. Then, new Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley discusses her special election victory, coronavirus politics in the county, how the recall campaign is playing in OC...

How will the conviction of Derek Chauvin impact the debate over police reforms in California? Scott and Marisa discuss how police groups responded to the verdict and whether newly-confirmed Attorney General Rob Bonta can deliver on a progressive agenda. Then, Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today, joins to discuss stories from her new book "Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons o...

Scott and Marisa discuss the crucial decision facing Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature on whether to mandate classroom instruction in the fall. Then, retired police lieutenant Diane Goldstein, executive director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, joins to talk about the role of decisions made by state legislatures in police killings like the shooting of Daunte Wright, the lob...

Marisa and Scott discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' return to the Bay Area and Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement on the full reopening of California businesses, plus what a potential Caitlyn Jenner candidacy would mean for the likely gubernatorial recall election. Then, Chinese Hospital CEO Jian Zhang joins to discuss her journey to San Francisco, how Chinatown avoided a COVID-19 outbreak, t...

A new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California finds just 40% of likely voters in favor of recalling Governor Gavin Newsom from office. Scott and Katie Orr discuss the governor's political prospects and Thursday vaccination against COVID-19. Then, Democratic consultant Rose Kapolczynski joins to discuss why Democrats should not recruit a 'plan B' candidate to run in the recall, managi...

Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta is Governor Gavin Newsom's pick to be California's next Attorney General. Scott and Marisa discuss the nomination and Vice President Kamala Harris' assignment to lead the Biden administration's handling of border issues. Then, Randy Economy, senior advisor on the campaign to recall Newsom shares the story behind his name, how he got into politics, and the path forward...

The campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom is heating up as proponents hand in the signatures they hope will force an election, while the governor lays out his strategy to defeat the recall. Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the political path ahead for Newsom and how the rise in anti-Asian violence could affect his choice for Attorney General. Then, State Senator María Elena Durazo, D-Los Angele...

Scott and Marisa discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's unique State of the State address, the potential recall election and Newsom's upcoming pick for attorney general. Then, Alicia Garza, Principal at Black to the Future Action Fund and co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter, joins to discuss the passage of the American Rescue Plan, the trial of Derek Chauvin and growing up in Marin County. Learn more about y...

The state legislature approves a $6.6 billion plan to incentivize a return to in-person instruction, but will it move the needle on reopenings? Marisa and Scott discuss the plan with KQED's Katie Orr and Guy Marzorati. Then, Wendy Weiser, Vice President for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice, joins to discuss the voting restrictions moving through state legislatures around the country, as...