Political Breakdown

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Breaking Down the L.A. Mayor’s Race Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Karen Bass made history four years ago as the first woman and second Black candidate elected mayor of Los Angeles. Today, she’s fighting to keep her position as her approval ratings still haven’t recovered from her handling of the deadly Palisades fire.

Scott and Marisa are joined by The Los Angeles Times reporter Noah Goldberg to unpack the latest on the city’s mayoral race. Bass faces stiff competition from progressive City Councilmember Nithya Raman and conservative reality TV star Spencer Pratt.

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The Battle for Pelosi's Seat Hits the Stage in San Francisco Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

The top contenders vying to replace Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi in Congress took the stage at San Francisco’s Sydney Goldstein Theater for a debate moderated by Political Breakdown host Scott Shafer and KQED’s Sydney Johnson. The candidates fielded questions spanning domestic and international policy, offering voters a glimpse into their priorities and leadership style.

The field for Congressional District 11 includes San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, former congressional aide and software engineer Saikat Chakrabarti, and State Senator Scott Wiener.

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SF Supervisor Jackie Fielder Steps Back for Mental Health Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

The three leading candidates running to fill Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat after she retires squared off at a debate moderated by KQED’s Scott Shafer and Sydney Johnson this week. Those contenders include Supervisor Connie Chan, former software engineer Saikat Chakrabarti and state Senator Scott Wiener.

Scott, Sydney and KQED's Guy Marzorati assess how well the candidates made their case and their lines of attack on each other.

Then, they discuss San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder's sudden health emergency and decision to take a leave of absence. What does her situation reveal about the challenges facing young people in elected office and the resources available to support them?

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Katie Porter's Run for Governor Centers Tax Cuts, Corporate Accountability Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Democrat Katie Porter was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, flipping an Orange County seat that had long been held by Republicans. She made waves in Congress with her incisive grilling of CEOs and corporate leaders, often using a whiteboard to make her point. Now, Porter is running for governor following an unsuccessful Senate campaign in 2024.

She joins Marisa and Scott in studio to discuss her gubernatorial agenda, including a proposal to eliminate state income taxes for families making under $100,000 a year. They also discuss her upbringing in Iowa, what she learned watching the 1980s farm crisis wreak havoc on her community, how she became a protégé of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and what it’s like working in politics as a single mom of three kids.

This interview is part of a series of conversations with the 2026 gubernatorial candidates for California. The primary election is June 2.

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How the U.S. Government Uses Social Media to Target Its Own Citizens Apr 01, 2026

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The Department of Homeland Security is using social media to demonize dissenters, branding U.S. citizens as terrorists, rioters and agitators. That’s according to a Wall Street Journal investigation that found most of DHS’s assault allegations against citizens were unsubstantiated.

Scott is joined by reporter Brenna Smith, a member of the investigative team that reviewed cell phone recordings and body-camera footage. In addition to the investigation’s findings, they discuss the financial, emotional and professional toll on the Americans targeted by this aggressive government campaign.

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Threats to California’s Vote-By-Mail Mount Before June Primary Mar 27, 2026

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California’s vote-by-mail system is facing a two-pronged attack. In Riverside County, the sheriff has seized hundreds of thousands of ballots from the November election, making highly questionable allegations of fraud. Plus, the U.S. Supreme Court is scrutinizing the practice of counting mail-in ballots that arrive after election day. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss the threats to California’s voting laws and what they could mean for the June primary.

Then, they break down a debate debacle in Los Angeles, where the University of Southern California abruptly cancelled a scheduled gubernatorial debate after four candidates of color who were not invited protested that the criteria used to determine who to include was biased.

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Antonio Villaraigosa's Second Act: Can a 'Pragmatist' Lead California? Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

In 2018, Antonio Villaraigosa's bid for governor ended with a loss to Gavin Newsom. Now, the former Los Angeles mayor is back for a second run, positioning himself as a problem-solver ready to stand up to President Donald Trump while lowering costs for California families. The Democrat points to a political career spanning more than three decades, including two years as speaker of the state Assembly.

Scott and Marisa sit down with Villaraigosa to discuss the lessons learned from past defeats and why he believes California needs a pragmatist now more than ever. Villaraigosa also reflects on his upbringing — navigating poverty, abuse, and a high school expulsion — and how it shaped his views on affordability, education and labor.

This interview is part of a series of conversations with the 2026 gubernatorial candidates for California. The primary election is June 2.

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How AI and Tech Are Changing The Campaign Finance Game Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

With the 2026 midterms ahead, a flood of campaign donations is expected in California and beyond — with a growing amount coming from the tech industry, including a $500 million push by California tech billionaires.

Scott and Marisa sit down with Hilary Braseth, Executive Director of the nonpartisan organization Open Secrets, to discuss what these donations could mean as the primary season gets into full swing. They also dig into the rise of hard-to-trace “dark money,” and how emerging industries like AI and crypto are using a new playbook to influence elections and policy.

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California's Political Reckoning with Cesar Chavez's Legacy After Allegations Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

A New York Times investigation has triggered swift condemnation and political upheaval in California, after uncovering allegations of sexual abuse of girls and women, including the rape of revered labor leader Dolores Huerta by the late farmworker legend Cesar Chavez. The revelations have prompted state and local leaders to consider renaming streets, schools and has already changed the official March 31 state holiday to "Farmworkers Day."

Scott and Marisa sit down with KQED Labor Correspondent Farida Jhabvala Romero and Los Angeles Times columnist Anita Chabria to discuss how farmworkers, labor activists, and politicians are reacting to these revelations and what they mean for Chavez's legacy and the future of the farmworker movement.

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Tony Thurmond Carves Out a Progressive Path in the Race for California Governor Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond is positioning himself as one of the most progressive candidates in a crowded Democratic field for California governor. Scott and Marisa sit down with Thurmond to discuss his vision for the state and why he believes his experience in nonprofits and as the California’s top education official puts him ahead of his fellow contenders.

Thurmond also reflects on his upbringing — navigating poverty as an Afro-Latino kid who relied on public assistance programs — and how it prepared him to be California's next governor.

This interview is part of a series of conversations with the 2026 gubernatorial candidates for California. The primary election is June 2.

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