Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

Kevin Paffrath on Running for Governor and Building a Pipeline to the Mississippi River Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Katie Orr talk with Kevin Paffrath, a Democrat running for governor in the recall election. The YouTube star and real estate investor talks about whether he'd really try to pipe water in from the Mississippi River, why he shouts out conservative news organizations on his channel and why he thinks Larry Elder would make a better governor than Gavin Newsom -- at least for now.

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John Cox on Lessons From His Mom, Housing Solutions and Yes, the Bear Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Marisa are joined by John Cox, Republican candidate for governor in the recall election. Cox shares stories about his single mother's career as a teacher and discusses his ideas to boost construction of housing in California. He also talks about his opposition to mask mandates in schools and his initial reaction to the idea of campaigning with a live bear: "I didn't want to do it," he said.

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Recall Election Preview and Talking About Larry Elder Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

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 toward women, the latest GOP candidate debate and preview the biggest themes in the recall election now that voting is underway.

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What is the Newsom Campaign Missing? Ludovic Blain Has Some Ideas Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

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 Newsom's campaign to defeat the recall.

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Teri Holoman on Being a 'Political Firefighter' for the California Teachers Association Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

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 policymaking, how her role is like a "political firefighter," last year's negotiations around returning to in-person education and where the union stands on a vaccination mandate.

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Kevin Kiley on His Recall Bid and Plans for California Schools Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

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 America and his proposal for a school voucher program in California.

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Todd Gloria on Creating a 'Bigger City Vision' for San Diego Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

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 favorite animals at the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

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Suzette Martinez Valladares on the Reagan Legacy and Why 'We Need More Moms' in the Legislature Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

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 resolution to honor Nancy Reagan, her work in the legislature's Problem Solvers Caucus, and why "we need more moms" in the state legislature.

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Jennifer Granholm on Biden's Infrastructure Push and Governing Michigan Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

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.

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Mark Arax on Whether Drought Could Change California Water Politics Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

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 Resnick family in his latest book, "The Dreamt Land," and grower politics in the Central Valley.

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