House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins Marisa and Scott on stage at KQED Live to discuss the threats facing America's democracy, the Democrats voting rights agenda, her experience during the January 6th riots at the Capitol and the tough choices facing her caucus as they narrow their social policy and climate agenda.

Political Breakdown

Nancy Pelosi on Threats to Democracy and Tough Legislative Choices (at KQED Live)

Democrats in Congress continue to negotiate social policy legislation, and Facebook comes under increasing scrutiny from both parties. Scott and Marisa discuss those developments and the politics of COVID mandates in California. Then, former state senator Hannah-Beth Jackson joins to discuss the response to the oil spill in Orange County and its political implications, the impact of the law she wrote to boost diversity in corporate boardrooms and her Little League activism. 

Hannah-Beth Jackson on Oil Spill Politics and Boardroom Diversity

Marisa and Scott discuss police reform legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and an Assembly seat in San Francisco opened by David Chiu's appointment to serve as city attorney. Then, Democratic Congresswoman Anna Eshoo joins to discuss the vote to avoid a government shutdown and the path forward for the Democrats' agenda, the Kyrsten Sinema enigma, and her push to lower prescription drug prices.

Anna Eshoo on the 'Political Tightropes' Facing Democrats in Congress

Scott and Katie Orr discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's decisions on a pair of controversial labor bills and San Francisco Mayor London Breed's rewriting of the COVID apology script and reflect on the passing of Scott Lay. Then, Congresswoman Judy Chu joins to discuss the path forward for Democrats on their social policy legislation and her bill to codify the abortion rights of Roe v. Wade. She also talks about how Asian-American studies classes changed her life, balancing political ambitions in her marriage and how her psychology degree comes in handy on Capitol Hill.

Judy Chu on the Democrats' Legislative Agenda and How a Psychology Degree Helps on the Hill

Scott and Marisa discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's defeat of the recall attempt, ongoing recall attempts at the local level, the possibility of changes to the recall process and California Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar's decision to step down from the court. Then, Juan Rodriguez, manager of the campaign to defeat the recall, joins to discuss investments in the field campaign and how that organizing carries over into the 2022 midterms, lessons for national Democrats about campaigning on COVID response and his own journey in politics.

Juan Rodriguez on How the Newsom Campaign Defeated the Recall

With just days until voting ends in the recall election, Marisa and Scott talk with Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data Inc. about what early returns tell us about the electorate and what he's watching as in-person voting ramps up. Then, Kevin Faulconer, former Republican mayor of San Diego, joins to talk about his campaign for governor in the recall election, how his parents shaped his career path, his fellowship in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood and his plans on COVID-19 response and criminal justice.

Kevin Faulconer on Governing San Diego and His Agenda on COVID and Crime

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. 

Kevin Paffrath on Running for Governor and Building a Pipeline to the Mississippi River

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.

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

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.

Recall Election Preview and Talking About Larry Elder

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.

What is the Newsom Campaign Missing? Ludovic Blain Has Some Ideas

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.

Teri Holoman on Being a 'Political Firefighter' for the California Teachers Association

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. 

Kevin Kiley on His Recall Bid and Plans for California Schools

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.

Todd Gloria on Creating a 'Bigger City Vision' for San Diego

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.

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

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.

Jennifer Granholm on Biden's Infrastructure Push and Governing Michigan

Join hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos as they unpack the week in politics with a California perspective. Featuring interviews with reporters and other insiders involved in the craft of politics—including elected officials, candidates, pollsters, campaign managers, fundraisers, and other political players—Political Breakdown pulls back the curtain to offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics works today.

hubhopper

Political Breakdown

hubhopper