The Game

California's June primary election is in the books, but the political debates are just getting started. Mark Simon and Bob Marks are joined by former Belmont mayor and political analyst Charles Stone for a wide-ranging discussion on the aftermath of California's primary election, the controversy surrounding vote counting timelines, public trust in elections, and what the results may signal for the...

Days before California's 2026 primary, Mark Simon and Bob Marks convene a power panel to break down everything on the ballot. Congressman Kevin Mullin, San Mateo Daily Journal Editor Jon Mays, and Central Labor Council Executive Director Julie Lind join the show for a wide-ranging conversation on the governor's race, voter anger, low turnout, the billionaire tax, Bay Area transit funding, AI and t...

With just days remaining before California voters head to the polls, Mark Simon and Bob Marks break down the increasingly unpredictable race for governor, the latest polling trends, and what could determine who advances to November. They examine the campaigns of Antonio Villaraigosa, Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and other contenders, along with the impact of money, endorsements, and voter turnout. Th...

Jon Mays, editor of the San Mateo Daily Journal, joins Mark Simon and Bob Marks for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of local journalism, AI in media, political endorsements, education policy, historic preservation, and the changing political landscape in San Mateo County and California. Jon discusses how the Daily Journal approaches endorsements during election season, why the paper r...

Legendary trial attorney Joe Cotchett joins The Game for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation on law, politics, and the future of the country. Cotchett breaks down his firm’s landmark $2.5+ billion securities fraud verdict against Elon Musk, explains why it’s a rare case of driving stock prices down, and what it means moving forward. The conversation then turns to the darker side of AI and...

Mark Simon and Bob Marks wrap up a packed month of interviews and dive deeper into the biggest political stories shaping the moment. From rising gas prices and escalating tensions with Iran to the looming midterms and shifting voter sentiment, the conversation explores what success actually looks like in U.S. foreign policy—and whether the current strategy is sustainable. They also break down: The...

Congressman Kevin Mullin joins The Game for a wide-ranging conversation on the SAVE Act, voting rights, the war with Iran, Democratic strategy for the 2026 midterms, and California’s unpredictable governor’s race. He also discusses his endorsement of Eric Swalwell, the debate over a billionaire tax, and his work to make hearing aids more affordable. After the interview, Mark Simon and Bob Marks br...

On this episode of The Game , Mark Simon and Bob Marks are joined by Rosanne Foust , President and CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association , for a conversation about the economic and political future of San Mateo County. They discuss the local economy, tech layoffs, housing affordability, workforce development, artificial intelligence, office vacancies, transit funding, and th...

Mark Simon and Bob Marks are joined by Julie Lind , Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the San Mateo County Central Labor Council, representing 105 unions and more than 95,000 workers and their families. Julie explains how labor endorsements are earned, how political resources are allocated, and what labor sees as the biggest challenges facing working families in 2026 — from wages and housing costs...

Sheriff Ken Binder , appointed on November 12, 2025 as the 27th Sheriff of San Mateo County, joins The Game to talk about rebuilding leadership and culture inside the Sheriff’s Office after a turbulent year. Bender discusses morale and resilience among staff, the staffing picture today, recruitment standards, and the importance of professionalism and consistency across the department. He also expl...

The Game is back! After a brief hiatus, Mark Simon and Bob Marks return to break down what they missed — and what’s coming next in a fast-moving 2026 election year. They revisit the biggest local political story of 2025: the removal of Sheriff Christina Corpus and why new Sheriff Bender may be the stabilizing leader the department needs. They also dig into the dynamics on the San Mateo County Boar...

Mark Simon and Bob Marks welcome Supervisor Lisa Gauthier to discuss the demanding political landscape of San Mateo County. Supervisor Gauthier served 12 years on the East Palo Alto City Council from 2012 to 2024, including serving as mayor during the pandemic. After being elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2024, she immediately became involved in the ongoing controversy regarding former Sheri...

In this episode, recorded the day after the November 2025 election, Mark and Bob are joined by U.S. Congressman Kevin Mullin to analyze the results and national political landscape. Episode 16 dives deep into the overwhelming passage of Prop 50 in California, a single-item special election that saw an astounding 58.5% voter turnout. Congressman Mullin discusses the landslide win and the governor's...

In this episode of The Game with Mark Simon and Bob Marks , we take a wide-ranging look at politics, culture, sports, and community issues shaping life on the Peninsula. We start with Measure 50 and what it could mean for local voters, before exploring the challenges of presidential decorum and today’s cultural divide. The discussion moves to Charlie Kirk , the First Amendment, and the state of po...

Mark Simon and Bob Marks sit down with Redwood City Pulse Editor Michelle Iracheta ( RWCPulse.com ) and San Mateo Daily Journal Reporter Ana Mata ( SMDailyJournal.com ) to talk about the latest in the San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus story. Now that the 10-day public hearing in San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City for her potential removal from office has concluded, we thought...

In this episode of The Game, Mark Simon sits down with Congressman Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) to talk about the California gerrymandering ballot measure, his time in Washington this year and what the Democrats need to do to regain control of the House and Senate.  Bob Marks is 'on assignment'. Produced by Frank Bravo (BravoITC.com)

Mark Simon and Bob Marks were joined by Deputy Sheriff Eliot Storch and attorney Charles Stone to talk about the current state of the San Mateo County Sheriff's office. See more information about The Game at https://www. TheGamePeninsula.comProduced by Frank Bravo (https://www. BravoITC.com)

A special live version of The Game, talking about the results of the San Mateo County Special Election, Measure A. The measure, which was a referendum on the Sheriff, is well on its way to passing based on the early results.  Mark Simon was joined by:  Jon Mays, Editor in Chief, San Mateo Daily Journal Charles Stone, Partner, Goethals & Stone, PC and former Mayor of Belmont Jerry Hill, Co-Chai...

Two rank-and-file leaders of the campaign for Yes on Measure A, the San Mateo County ballot measure that would authorize the Board of Supervisors to fire Sheriff Christina Corpus, told The Game podcast that the ballot measure amounts to an “expedited recall.” Deputy Eliot Storch and Sgt. Sean Harper described a Sheriff’s Office in a crisis of leadership. “If this problem isn’t solved,” said Harper...

On the latest edition of The Game with Mark Simon and Bob Marks, former Congresswoman Jackie Speier, newly returned to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said the county needs to do “big things” and shift its focus beyond the highly localized policymaking that has emerged due to district elections.  Produced by Frank Bravo (https://www. BravoITC.com)

Former Congresswoman Anna Eshoo joins Mark Simon and Bob Marks on this episode of The Game. Among her comments, she said the first weeks of the Trump administration have been a “horror show,” and laid out how she thinks Congressional Democrats should be responding to the disruption of the new presidency. “I miss not being in the fight, because I bring something to it,” she said.  Eshoo covered a w...

In the final 2024 edition of The Game, Mark and Bob interview three local news editors and get their lists of the biggest stories of the year in San Mateo County. Spoiler alert — a certain sheriff is on the list, but so are a number of other stories that reflect a year unlike any other in recent memory. Guests: Jon Mays, Editor in Chief, San Mateo Daily Journal, (SMDailyJournal.com) Angela Swartz,...

On the podcast of The Game with Mark Simon and Bob Marks , Congressman Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) said  he supports the pending county charter amendment that would allow the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to fire Sheriff Christina Corpus, and he said she inevitably will be forced to leave office. Mullin said California Attorney General Rob Bonta can and should take steps to oust t...

In a special edition of The Game with Mark Simon and Bob Marks, San Mateo County Supervisors Ray Mueller and Noelia Corzo said they are confident the voters will recognize and reject the dysfunction, misuse of authority and corruption perpetrated by Sheriff Christina Corpus that has plunged the Sheriff’s Office into turmoil. Both said they are concerned for their own safety, as the controversy con...

Listen to a replay of Mark and Bob's special LIVE Election Night version of The Game, featuring special guests and all things politics, from the local elections to the local take on the national races.  Produced by Frank Bravo, Bravo IT Consulting (BravoITC.com).