Political Breakdown

Democrats Gear Up to Investigate the Trump Administration

Now that Washington Democrats have secured the U.S. House and Senate, they face a key question: How do they balance investigating and holding the Trump administration acc

Republicans Face Historic Lows in the State Assembly Following Blue Wave Election

Following extensive Republican losses in the state Legislature this election, the first to pay the price is Corrin Rankin, chair of the California Republican Party. Ranki

The Nurse Practitioner Who Flipped a Red Assembly District Blue

After last week’s election, Democrats are poised to hold a staggering 97 out of 120 legislative seats in Sacramento. One of the seats that flipped is Assembly District 36

California Election Results Take Shape

California voters cast their ballots on Tuesday and the results are starting to take shape. Governor-elect Xavier Becerra held his first press conference this week but of

America Swings Left. Now What?

On the heels of a massive blue wave that swept more progressives and moderates into Congress, what’s next for the Democratic Party? How will the president respond to an e

Election Night Breakdown

Democrat Xavier Becerra will be the next governor, the billionaire tax and voter ID measures are headed for defeat and nationally Democrats appear to have pulled off more

Governor Becerra? What the Democrat Would Prioritize If Elected

Xavier Becerra is poised to become California’s next governor. The former Health and Human Services Secretary emerged victorious from a messy primary that pitted him agai

The 2026 Midterms Cheat Sheet: Lessons from Voter Focus Groups

Sarah Longwell has conducted hundreds of focus groups and spoken with thousands of American voters over the past decade. As a result, the former Republican strategist, wh

Some Key California Races Remain Toss Ups Ahead of Midterms

Election Day is around the corner, and if polls are right, Democrats are slated to get big wins across the country. But, some House Races in California are still up for g

Governor Newsom Weighs Commuting the Death Sentences of Over 500 Inmates

Governor Newsom is facing a big decision before he leaves office — whether to commute the death sentences of more than 500 condemned inmates and convert them to life in p

Randy Villegas Has a Theory of How to Win in the Central Valley

Can a progressive Democrat win in the Central Valley? Marisa sits down with Randy Villegas in Bakersfield as the community college professor attempts to unseat Republican

Democrat Marni von Wilpert Is Running in One of Three California Swing Districts

San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert is running for Congress in a tight race against Republican Jim Desmond, a member of the San Diego County Board of Superviso

Big Tech Money and DOJ Lawsuit Hit California Elections

Big Tech interests are spending tens of millions in California’s state legislative races this election cycle. Marisa and Scott sit down with KQED’s Izzy Bloom, who’s been

SF Crypto Billionaire Calls to ‘Shut Down All The Data Centers’

San Francisco crypto billionaire Chris Larsen has become an increasingly engaged and potent political force in Democratic politics. He’s funded surveillance technology li

Republican vs. Democrat in One of California's Most Gerrymandered Districts

California’s 1st Congressional District was at the center of last year’s partisan redistricting wars. The district used to encompass the rural northeast corner of the sta

Valadao-Villegas Debate and the Fight for Latino Voters in the Central Valley

Central Valley Republican Congressman David Valado and his Democratic challenger, college professor Randy Villegas, faced off in a debate earlier this week. Marisa and Gu

Congressman Adam Gray’s Theory of How Democrats Can Win in a Swing District

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 m

Should We Raise the Bar to Pass Local Taxes?

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 p

Two Democrats Competing to Replace Pelosi, Live Onstage

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 Sh

Key Moments from the Wiener-Chan Debate

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.