Pro Politics with Zac McCrary Gale Kaufman & A Life in California Politics
Gale Kaufman is a giant of California politics...winning hundreds of races, including some of the most impactful and expensive ballot measures in American history. In this conversation, Gale talks getting her start in DC, her move to California, an early intersection with Harvey Milk, learning from political mastermind Speaker Willie Brown, starting her own firm that was one of the few woman-owned operations at the time, and growing it into one of the cornerstones of California politics.
IN THIS EPISODE…
Gale’s early political journey from Miami to DC to California…
Gale’s friendship with the legendary late Harvey Milk…
Gale’s early stint working on Capitol Hill in DC…
The two races that helped put Gale on the political map…
Gale talks starting her own firm in the late 80s, as one of few woman-owned political firms…
The significance of the word “tough” in Gale’s career…
Gale talks what makes an effective campaign manager…
Gale goes deep on her two tenures working for political “master” Speaker Willie Brown…
Gale gives her California Politics 101, how she thinks about running and winning in CA…
Gale remembers the initial rise of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger…
Gale beats back 4 Schwarzenegger ballot measures that would’ve transformed CA politics…
Gale’s best practices running ballot measure campaigns…
Gale talks spearheading the effort to make marijuana legal in California…
Gale’s insights on how she’s run her business over the years…
AND Beach High, CTA, Formula One Racing, GW, the Gang of Five, the Haight Ashbury, the inside game, Kaufman Campaigns, Barbara Lee, legal weed, the Library of Congress, George Moscone, Mike Murphy, Grover Norquist, Wayne Owens, “paycheck protection”, Prop 226, SEIU, scared interns, John Tunney, union guys, Watergate, Dan White, The Year of the Woman & more!