Political Breakdown

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

Hospitals are pausing or ending gender-affirming care for transgender youth, even in blue states like California.  Stanford and Kaiser have both halted gender-related surgeries for minors, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles shut down its venerated Center for Transyouth Health and Development earlier this summer. Marisa is joined by the San Francisco Chronicle's Erin Allday to discuss the current state of trans youth healthcare and how families in the Bay Area are responding.  For more political analysis, sign up for Political Breakdown’s newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley’s district currently covers a wide swath of eastern California, running from the Lassen National Forest through the Lake Tahoe region and down to Death Valley in the south. But under a new proposed congressional map approved by Democrats in the state Legislature this week, Kiley’s district would shrink significantly and its constituency would become much more Democratic. Marisa is joined by Kiley to discuss the map’s threat to his reelection prospects and his bill to ban mid-decade redistricting nationally. For more political analysis, sign up for Political Breakdown’s newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California lawmakers today approved a special election on newly drawn congressional districts that would help elect more Democrats to the House of Representatives. Voters will have the final say on approving or refusing the map in November. The state's gerrymander is to counter a similar Republican-driven effort in Texas at the request of President Trump. Marisa and Guy discuss the latest drama in the ongoing redistricting wars with Blaise Gainey, the KUT Texas Capitol reporter.  For more political analysis, sign up for Political Breakdown’s newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State lawmakers are negotiating the renewal of California’s landmark climate program known as cap-and-trade. But after the closure of two oil refineries, how are they balancing climate progress with affordability? Guy discusses that challenge with State Senator Monique Limón and later, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who are both working on plans to renew the cap-and-trade program.  For more political analysis, sign up for Political Breakdown’s newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Democrats today released their proposed map to redraw the state's congressional districts, revealing the Republican seats they're targeting in next year's midterm elections. The map comes in response to the Texas redistricting plan to pick up more House seats for Republicans. Scott and Guy talk with Paul Mitchell, the man drawing these new lines in California in collaboration with Governor Newsom and the state legislature.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting with the Gold Rush, San Francisco has always been a boom and bust town. The latest boom is being driven by artificial intelligence, as AI companies and startups scoop up venture capital, real estate, office space and tech talent in the city. Scott talks with the Los Angeles Times technology reporter Queenie Wong about how the AI boom is affecting San Francisco's culture and economy. Then, he's joined by Jake Lahut, senior writer for WIRED, to discuss Silicon Valley's fluctuating influence in D.C.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump took federal control of the police force in Washington D.C. this week, deploying 800 National Guard troops. The president claims the city is plagued by violent crime despite data showing it at a 30-year low.  This comes amid the three-day trial in San Francisco over Trump’s deployment of troops to Los Angeles earlier this year in response to ICE protests.  Scott is joined first by Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School and host of the podcast "Passing Judgment" to discuss Trump's authority to militarize the nation's capital. Then, he's joined by D.C. Senator Ankit Jain.  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 push for Texas to redraw congressional districts to help Republicans in next year's midterm elections has mobilized Democratic governors, including Gavin Newsom, to do the same. But will California voters agree to let politicians draw their own lines when they put a stop to that practice years ago?  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices