

Political Breakdown
KQED
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2022 • 32min
Christy Smith Hopes Third Time Is the Charm in Run for Congress
Marisa and Scott head to Southern California, where several key House contests are underway. First, they discuss California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye's decision not to seek another term and reaction to Governor Newsom's opposition to Proposition 30. Then, Democrat Christy Smith joins to share stories from her life and career and talk about her run for Congress in the 27th district. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 22, 2022 • 31min
Malia Cohen on Her Early Meeting With DiFi and Her Run for State Controller
Scott and Guy Marzorati discuss the House vote to recognize same-sex marriage on the federal level and local criticism to the federal response to the monkeypox outbreak. Then, Board of Equalization chair Malia Cohen joins to discuss her childhood in San Francisco, the meeting with then-mayor Dianne Feinstein that changed her life, her experience at Lowell High School and her run for state Controller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 15, 2022 • 31min
Meet Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco's New District Attorney
Scott and Marisa sit down with new San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who talks about her family's experience with law enforcement, the loss of her first son and her path to the district attorney's office. Jenkins also discusses her approach to drug crimes, whether San Francisco police undermined Chesa Boudin and what policy changes she plans for the office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 8, 2022 • 31min
Prosecutor Politics, Filibuster Fights and a Conversation with Michelle Steel
Marisa and Scott discuss the latest in prosecutor politics around the state, from the milestone reached by the campaign to recall George Gascón to the appointment of Brooke Jenkins as San Francisco's District Attorney. They also talk about Governor Gavin Newsom's forays into other states and Senator Dianne Feinstein's position on a carve-out to the filibuster to pass abortion rights legislation. Then, they revisit a January 2021 conversation with Orange County Rep. Michelle Steel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 1, 2022 • 31min
Pete Aguilar on the January 6 Hearings and a Ballot Measure Preview with Marva Diaz
Rep. Pete Aguilar joins Scott and Guy Marzorati to discuss his work on the committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Then, political strategist Marva Diaz joins for an early look at the state ballot measures going before California voters in the fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 24, 2022 • 31min
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan on Preparing for Abortion Decision and John Myers Signs Off
Marisa and Scott talk with Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan about how Democrats in the state legislature are preparing for a possible reversal of Roe v. Wade and where talks stand on an inflation relief legislation. Then, John Myers, former capitol bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times and KQED, joins to talk about his career covering state government as he heads to become Chief of Public Affairs at CalPERS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 17, 2022 • 31min
Kate Kendell Says Advocates for Civil Liberties 'Can't Count on the Court Anymore'
Scott and Marisa discuss how updated vote counts have changed primary election night narratives and analyze the key role of Californians in the January 6 hearings. Then, longtime LGBTQ legal rights advocate Kate Kendell, with The California Endowment, joins to talk about her career of legal victories, why she thinks civil liberties advocates "can't count on the court anymore,' her roots in the Mormon church and career at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 9, 2022 • 31min
Recapping California's Primary Election
Marisa and Scott discuss the recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and what Tuesday's election results say about criminal justice reform with Cristine Soto DeBerry, executive director of the Prosecutors Alliance. And Joe Garofoli, senior political writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, joins to talk about Boudin, statewide results and primaries in key congressional races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 3, 2022 • 31min
The Assembly Speaker Fight and a Congressional Primary Preview
Scott and Marisa check in with CalMatters reporter Alexei Koseff about Assemblyman Robert Rivas' push to replace Anthony Rendon as Assembly Speaker. Then, Los Angeles Times national political correspondent Melanie Mason joins to discuss congressional primaries in Central Valley, Los Angeles and Orange County swing districts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 2022 • 31min
CARE Court Update and Los Angeles Election Preview
Marisa and Scott discuss how Gov. Gavin Newsom and California legislators are responding to the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas and KQED housing reporter Erin Baldassari gives an update on Newsom's CARE Court plan passing the state Senate. Then, KPCC Civics and Democracy Correspondent Frank Stoltze and Loyola Law School professor Jessica Levinson join to discuss the elections for mayor and sheriff in Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices