Political Breakdown

Voters Lukewarm on Becerra, AG Bonta Blinks on Paramount

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 o

As Trump Targets Elections, California Will Pick Its Next Secretary of State

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 t

The Breakdown on Nancy Pelosi

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 Shafe

Housing Fix or Data Center Loophole? This Ballot Measure Would Overhaul CEQA

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

Will Newsom Really Sit Out 2028?

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’

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

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 rate

California AG Takes on Trump, OpenAI, Meta

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 immi

Pelosi's Shadow Hangs Over The Race to Replace Her

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

Ben Allen Wants to Take on The Insurance Industry for You

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 co

AIPAC Is Spending Millions to Reshape the Democratic Party. Is It Working?

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 gr

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

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

Steve Hilton Supports Mail-In Voting, Remains Confident in California's Election Security

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 t

The Case Against California’s Billionaire Tax Measure

Stanford University Professor Joshua Rauh argues that the proposed billionaire tax on California’s November ballot would face legal challenges, raise far less than propon

Newsom’s Final Push: Wildfire Liability

As one of his last acts as governor, Gavin Newsom is trying to tackle the ongoing wildfire crisis, pitting regular Californians, including fire survivors, against utility

Lorena Gonzalez on Labor’s Big Fights: AI and Billionaire Tax

Lorena Gonzalez heads up the powerful California Federation of Labor Unions, making her one of the most prominent voices for working people in the state. The group repres

The Latest on LA’s Messy Mayor’s Race

In the Los Angeles mayoral election, incumbent Karen Bass is facing off against City Councilmember Nithya Raman, pitting two former allies against one another. The conte

Why AIPAC Got Involved in the Race to Succeed Swalwell

Progressive California lawmaker Aisha Wahab defeated BART Board President Melissa Hernandez in the special election to serve the remainder of former East Bay Representati

The WNBA Has a Politics Problem

American sports have always been political. But it seems like now more than ever, the WNBA has become a hyperfixation for the right wing. Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningha

Prop. 43 Would Make it Harder to Raise Local Taxes. Can it Pass?

This November, California voters will consider Proposition 43 — a measure aimed at making it harder for cities and counties to raise local taxes. It’s sponsored by the Ho

New Polling Sheds Light on November Ballot

New Berkeley IGS polling came out this week that sheds light on how Californians are thinking about November’s big ticket ballot items — including the controversial billi