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PODCAST

Political Breakdown

Join hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos as they unpack the day 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.

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All Episodes

32:44

Valadao-Villegas Debate and the Fight for Latino...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/10/09

Central Valley Republican Congressman David Valado and his Democratic challenger, college professor Randy Villegas, faced off in a debate earlier this week. Marisa and Guy talk to one of the moderators, FOX40 anchor Nikki Laurenzo, about the showdown in Bakersfield and what it means for control of Congress.Then, Republican political consultant Mike Madrid joins them to discuss how Democrats are trying to win back working-class Latino voters. Does progressive Villegas or the more moderate Rep. Adam

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32:16

Congressman Adam Gray’s Theory of How Democrats Can...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/10/08

Democratic Congressman Adam Gray won his seat two years ago by just 187 votes. After last year’s partisan redistricting war, the 13th Congressional District is slightly more favorable to him, but Gray is still considered to be in a tough fight to hold on to his seat. He faces former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln II. Marisa sits down with Gray at his campaign office in Merced to discuss why the moderate Democrat thinks both parties need to turn down the temperature.Don’t forget to use KQED’s voter

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23:48

Should We Raise the Bar to Pass Local Taxes?

Political Breakdown ·

2026/10/06

Proposition 43 on the November ballot would raise the requirement for increasing special taxes placed on the ballot by citizens. Right now it takes a simple majority to pass those taxes, but Prop. 43 would require a two-thirds vote.The initiative is supported by business groups and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Meanwhile, unions and the California League of Cities say Prop. 43 would cripple their ability to raise critical revenue at a time when the federal government is slashing funding

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57:08

Two Democrats Competing to Replace Pelosi, Live Onstage

Political Breakdown ·

2026/10/03

The two candidates vying to replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi in Congress faced off in a live onstage debate at KQED on Oct. 1, moderated by Political Breakdown co-hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos and the San Francisco Chronicle’s Joe Garofoli.City Supervisor Connie Chan and State Senator Scott Wiener presented their visions for the future and explored issues facing the city including affordability, tech and the economy, immigration, foreign conflicts and the role of San Francisco in national

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28:48

Key Moments from the Wiener-Chan Debate

Political Breakdown ·

2026/10/02

Political Breakdown analyzes Thursday night’s debate between State Sen. Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, the two Democrats fighting to replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi in Congress. Scott and Marisa moderated the live onstage debate at KQED alongside the San Francisco Chronicle’s Joe Garofoli. Plus, Scott previews his new podcast series “The Speaker,” on Pelosi’s remarkable life and career.Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more

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31:34

California Governor Debate Takeaways and How Gas...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/10/01

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton used last night’s CNN gubernatorial debate to frame the race as President Trump versus the Democratic establishment. Marisa, Guy and CNN’s Los Angeles anchor and correspondent Elex Michaelson discuss how each candidate performed and whether the debate moved the needle in a race where Becerra leads by 25 points, according to the latest Berkeley IGS poll.Then, Marisa and Guy turn to California’s most competitive House races. How are the war in Iran

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28:57

Will Prop. 45 Fix California’s Housing Crisis or Roll...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/29

Proposition 45 would put a shot clock on environmental reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. Opponents say CEQA still protects people and the environment from harmful development. Marisa talks with Jordan Grimes, legislative director at the Bay Area environmental group Greenbelt Alliance, who oppose the measure.Last week, Marisa spoke with Jennifer Barrera, CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, which is leading the campaign in support of Prop. 45. Check out

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26:54

Voters Lukewarm on Becerra, AG Bonta Blinks on Paramount

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/25

Is the California governor’s race finally heating up? New polls show that although Democrat Xavier Becerra is on track to win the November election, voters are lukewarm on him. Marisa, Guy and KQED’s Laura Fitzgerald analyze the polling and look ahead to next week’s debate between Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton.Then they dig into this week’s California Supreme Court ruling against Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Attorney General Rob Bonta won that case, but he’s taking heat from his

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31:20

As Trump Targets Elections, California Will Pick Its...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/24

California voters will choose who oversees the state's elections in the secretary of state race this November. That decision comes as the Trump administration has tried to get states to hand over voter roll data, attempted to restrict mail-in voting, placed federal election monitors at California polls and pushed for proof of citizenship requirements at voter registration. Secretary of State Shirley Weber has led the office since 2021 and has pushed back against the federal government's attempts

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52:04

The Breakdown on Nancy Pelosi

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/23

On this special bonus episode, we air the first episode of KQED's new limited series podcast 'The Speaker,' reported and hosted by Political Breakdown co-host Scott Shafer. It's a look at former Speaker Nancy Pelosi's life and legacy as she prepares to retire after nearly four decades in Congress. Marisa talks to Scott about the genesis and focus of the series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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30:46

Housing Fix or Data Center Loophole? This Ballot...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/22

Proposition 45 on the November ballot would reform the California Environmental Quality Act, also known as CEQA. Proponents argue the measure would help with the state’s affordability crisis by speeding up housing construction.However, public polling shows support for the measure has tanked in the last few months as critics argue the measure would make it easier to build data centers, which are deeply unpopular with voters. Marisa talks to Jennifer Barrera, CEO of the California Chamber of

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28:25

Will Newsom Really Sit Out 2028?

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/18

Gov. Gavin Newsom this week told CNN he would not run for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris runs. Marisa, Guy and Scott make sense of the governor’s promise.Then, one of California’s most competitive congressional races runs through the 48th District in Riverside and San Diego counties. Guy has been reporting from the district and walks through the candidates and the issues driving voters. They also unpack the slipping support for Proposition 45, the November ballot measure

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32:08

Jane Kim’s Bold Plan to Protect You When Disaster...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/17

Former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim is one of two Democrats running to be California’s next insurance commissioner, a powerful position that regulates insurance rates and acts as a consumer advocate. Kim’s biggest proposal is a single-payer disaster insurance policy, but critics say she won’t be able to deliver on that promise. She joins Marisa in studio to explain her vision.You can listen to last week’s interview with the other candidate in this race, state Sen. Ben Allen. Check out

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34:14

California AG Takes on Trump, OpenAI, Meta

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/15

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed the office’s 92nd lawsuit against the Trump administration yesterday to block a rule change that would make it harder for immigrants to qualify for green cards and for their kids to receive public benefits. Bonta joins Marisa in studio to discuss the latest legal challenge. Plus, they talk about the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of the president’s mail-in voting restrictions, Bonta’s investigation into the summer’s OpenAI hack and the $17 billion

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28:53

Pelosi's Shadow Hangs Over The Race to Replace Her

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/11

Rep. Nancy Pelosi is retiring from Congress, but as State Senator Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan compete for her seat, Pelosi continues to draw the spotlight. Marisa, Scott and Guy break down the latest accusations, alliances and drama in the increasingly heated race. Check outPolitical Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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31:02

Ben Allen Wants to Take on The Insurance Industry for...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/10

For the first time, voters in California will decide between two Democrats for insurance commissioner, a powerful position that regulates insurance rates and acts as a consumer advocate. The race comes as the state faces increasingly destructive wildfires, rising energy prices and a volatile insurance market. Marisa sits down with state Sen. Ben Allen, who said his experience in Sacramento makes him the best candidate for the job. Tune in next week to hear from the other candidate, former San

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33:57

AIPAC Is Spending Millions to Reshape the Democratic...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/08

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, also known as AIPAC, has emerged as one of the biggest spenders in this year’s midterm elections. The pro-Israel lobbying group isn’t just weighing in on swing districts. It’s jumping in on Democrat-on-Democrat races as well, including the East Bay special election to replace former Rep. Eric Swalwell. Despite spending millions against Aisha Wahab, AIPAC failed to keep her from winning last month’s contest. Marisa talks to David Dayen, executive editor

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26:00

Newsom's Final Months: A Failed Deal and Regulating AI

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/04

Governor Gavin Newsom failed to strike a deal on wildfire liability with lawmakers in the state legislature this week after months of negotiations that pitted California utilities against insurance companies. Marisa and Guy break down how the deal collapsed and what it means for Newsom as he enters his final months in office. Then, they turn to the few dozen bill on the governor’s desk aiming to regulate the state’s burgeoning Artificial Intelligence industry. The sector has cozied up to

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31:37

Steve Hilton Supports Mail-In Voting, Remains...

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/03

Republican candidate for governor Steve Hilton is campaigning to break Democrats’ iron clad grip on state governance. It’s a steep challenge, but Hilton remains bullish that his message of change can win over independent and Democratic voters while his conservative credentials and endorsement by President Donald Trump help him maintain Republican support.He joins Marisa in studio to discuss his views on inequality in the state, how he would regulate AI and the backlash to data centers. He split

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32:07

The Case Against California’s Billionaire Tax Measure

Political Breakdown ·

2026/09/01

Stanford University Professor Joshua Rauh argues that the proposed billionaire tax on California’s November ballot would face legal challenges, raise far less than proponents claim and push wealthy residents out of the state. Rauh, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, recently authored a study examining the potential effects of the tax if voters approve it this fall. Marisa sits down with Rauh to discuss the case against Proposition 40, which would impose a one-time, five percent tax on the

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