Political Breakdown

A video of gubernatorial frontrunner Katie Porter threatening to end an interview preceded other leaks and criticisms of the former congresswoman. Marisa and Guy are joined by The Sacramento Bee reporter Kate Wolffe to discuss what made the video go viral and how it's shaking up the 2026 governor's race. Plus, they discuss Wolffe's recent investigation on Republican Assembly Leader Heath Flora, who she reported has enjoyed the benefits of power and routinely ignored questions about his conduct. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the courts continue to consider the legality of President Trump’s deployment of troops into American cities, Marisa and Scott talk with a retired general who’s been raising concerns about what this push could mean for the public, soldiers, our military and our democracy. Retired Gen. Randy Manner spent 35 years in the armed forces and served as acting vice chief of the National Guard Bureau. He and other retired senior military officers recently filed a brief in support of California's position against the deployment of troops in Los Angeles. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Californians have started receiving their ballots this week for the Nov. 4 special election. Voters will decide on Proposition 50, a measure that would redraw the state's congressional maps to help Democrats pick up five more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. It's a move prompted by President Donald Trump's calls for Republican states to give him more GOP seats in Congress, which Texas and Missouri have already answered. Scott and Marisa discuss the history of gerrymandering with Los Angeles Times writer James Rainey, taking us back to an earlier era when gerrymandering was a regular part of California's political landscape. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Portland prepares for the arrival of hundreds of federal troops deployed by President Trump, Scott and Marisa talk with Dirk VanderHart from Oregon Public Broadcasting about how the city is reacting and what they’re expecting this weekend. Then, they're joined by Guy to discuss the federal government shutdown, as Democrats refuse to support funding until Republicans address concerns about health care costs. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

North State Republican Assemblymember James Gallagher has been among the most outspoken opponents of Proposition 50, the ballot measure that would redraw California's congressional districts to give Democrats more seats in Congress. Now, he's proposing to split the state in two. Gallagher joins Marisa and Scott to lay out the argument against Prop. 50 and explain what he calls his "two state solution." Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump’s new $100,000 fee for companies sponsoring skilled immigrant workers with H1-B visas is causing turmoil in Silicon Valley. Companies like Google, Apple and Meta are now reassessing the cost of foreign labor, while students and workers question how stable life in the U.S. will be if they choose to come here. Scott and Marisa are joined by Zehi Yang, senior writer at WIRED, to discuss how companies and workers are responding to the visa changes. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Proposition 50 redistricting campaign is ramping up with new ads featuring New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in support and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in opposition. Marisa and Guy are joined by Politico's senior political reporter Melanie Mason to discuss the money and personalities on both sides of Prop. 50. Plus, they talk about former Vice President Kamala Harris's new book "107 Days" recounting her campaign for president. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter joins Marisa and Scott in studio to discuss the latest news, including a looming government shutdown, the national redistricting fight, ICE’s implementation of Trump’s deportation policies and Jimmy Kimmel's broadcast return. Porter is running for governor of California in 2026. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Democrats pushing to build more housing by removing barriers to development have had major victories this year. Now, Governor Newsom will decide whether to sign a controversial bill that would increase housing near bus stops and transit lines. Scott and Marisa discuss the housing debate in Sacramento with CalMatters reporter Ben Christopher. Then, they're joined by one of the founders of California YIMBY to talk about what the latest changes in housing mean for the Yes In My Backyard movement. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voters in San Francisco’s Sunset District overwhelmingly recalled Supervisor Joel Engardio this week over his support for closing the Great Highway and turning it into a new park. Scott, Marisa, Guy and KQED's Sydney Johnson talk about what the recall says about local politics, the city's rezoning battle and how it could make elected officials think twice before crossing their constituents. Read more: Supervisor Joel Engardio Is Out. What’s Next for San Francisco’s Sunset District? Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump's administration has shifted its campaign against elite universities to the University of California system. They are demanding changes that would remake universities in a conservative image and insisted the UC hand over a list of students, faculty and staff as part of an investigation into alleged antisemitism. While the standoff continues, labor unions, faculties and students are suing the administration to prevent the government from using financial threats that they say undermine academic freedom. Marisa and Scott discuss all this with the Los Angeles Times education reporter Jaweed Kaleem. Then, they're joined by UC Berkeley law professor Christopher Kutz, who has been part of a faculty effort to insist the UC not negotiate with the Trump administration. Read more: UC Labor Groups Sue Trump Over ‘Coercive’ Antisemitism Investigations and Demands Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk is testing political leaders, as some meet the moment with calls for unity and others call for a fight. Scott talks with Brian Levin, the founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at CSU San Bernardino, about the rise of political violence and where we go from here. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the clock ticks down on this last day of the state legislative session, a significant deal on climate and energy programs comes together at the 11th hour. The package includes an extension of the cap-and-trade program, which raises billions of dollars for environmentally friendly projects and eases the way for California to participate in a regional clean energy market. Plus, Scott Marisa and Guy discuss the latest attempt at regulating artificial intelligence that's now on its way to the governor for approval. Read more: California Lawmakers Reach Last-Minute Deals on Climate, Energy Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vaccines were a political issue long before COVID-19, but the pandemic intensified the debate, making them a flashpoint in American politics and trust in government. Marisa and Scott talk with physician and writer Rachael Bedard about what she thinks Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement gets right — and what it gets wrong. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco political legend John Burton died over the weekend at age 92. During a decades-long career in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., Burton was known for his blunt, plain-spoken style — often laced with trademark obscenities — as he fought for labor unions and the working class. Scott and Marisa revisit conversations with Burton and with some of the people who knew him best, including former Gov. Jerry Brown, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. Read more: John Burton, Architect of California Democratic Machine, Dies at 92 Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and the Food And Drug Administration have thrown the nation’s vaccination system into chaos. In response, California and other western states announced an alliance this week to make unified vaccine recommendations. Scott, Marisa and Guy analyze how both Democrats and Republicans grilled Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a Senate hearing yesterday. Plus, they discuss how President Trump's use of the National Guard in cities like Los Angeles and Washington D.C. continues to rumble across the political landscape. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36 last year to increase criminal penalties for certain drug and theft offenses. But less than a year in, is the measure helping decrease crime? Marisa and Scott are joined by San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe to discuss the measure's promises and outcomes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su is calling President Donald Trump’s actions on federal employees a “war on workers.” Those actions include mass firings of the federal workforce and stripping many of the remaining staff of their union protections. Marisa and Scott talk with Su about the impact of Trump’s anti-labor policies and how organized labor is fighting back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senator Alex Padilla this week left open the possibility of a run for California governor during an interview at POLITICO’s “The California Agenda: Sacramento Summit." Plus, a new poll shows former Rep. Katie Porter leading the race. Marisa and Guy are joined by Politico California Editorial Director Chris Cadelago to discuss the state of the 2026 governor's race and the latest news about current Governor Gavin Newsom. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As President Donald Trump threatens to send armed military troops to American cities beyond Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, critics are raising questions about the racial politics of the president’s deployment. Marisa is joined by Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University and co-host of the podcast Strict Scrutiny. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices