Political Breakdown – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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Political Breakdown

KQED

News

Frequency: 1 episode/4d. Total Eps: 848

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.

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Apple

Data updated on 04/10/2026

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Apple Podcasts

🇺🇸 USA - Politics
05/10/2026
#92
🇺🇸 USA - Politics
04/10/2026
#85

Spotify

No recent rankings available

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Score global : 43%

Publication history

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Two Democrats Competing to Replace Pelosi, Live Onstage

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • Duration 57:08

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 Shafer and Marisa Lagos and the San Francisco Chronicle’s Joe Garofoli. City Supervisor Connie Chan and State Senator Scott Wiener presented their visions for the future and explored issues facing the city including affordability, tech and the economy, immigration, foreign conflicts and the role of San Francisco in national politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Key Moments from the Wiener-Chan Debate

Friday, October 2, 2026 • Duration 28:48

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. Nancy Pelosi in Congress. Scott and Marisa moderated the live onstage debate at KQED alongside the San Francisco Chronicle’s Joe Garofoli. Plus, Scott previews his new podcast series “The Speaker,” on Pelosi’s remarkable life and career. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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California Governor Debate Takeaways and How Gas Prices Are Shaping Swing House Races

Thursday, October 1, 2026 • Duration 31:34

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton used last night’s CNN gubernatorial debate to frame the race as President Trump versus the Democratic establishment. Marisa, Guy and CNN’s Los Angeles anchor and correspondent Elex Michaelson discuss how each candidate performed and whether the debate moved the needle in a race where Becerra leads by 25 points, according to the latest Berkeley IGS poll. Then, Marisa and Guy turn to California’s most competitive House races. How are the war in Iran and soaring gas prices playing in the few remaining swing districts after last year’s gerrymandering war? Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Will Prop. 45 Fix California’s Housing Crisis or Roll Back a Valuable Environmental Law?

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 • Duration 28:57

Proposition 45 would put a shot clock on environmental reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. Opponents say CEQA still protects people and the environment from harmful development. Marisa talks with Jordan Grimes, legislative director at the Bay Area environmental group Greenbelt Alliance, who oppose the measure. Last week, Marisa spoke with Jennifer Barrera, CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, which is leading the campaign in support of Prop. 45. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Voters Lukewarm on Becerra, AG Bonta Blinks on Paramount

Friday, September 25, 2026 • Duration 26:54

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 on him. Marisa, Guy and KQED’s Laura Fitzgerald analyze the polling and look ahead to next week’s debate between Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton. Then they dig into this week’s California Supreme Court ruling against Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Attorney General Rob Bonta won that case, but he’s taking heat from his left flank for settling with Paramount and clearing the way for its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Thursday, September 24, 2026 • Duration 31:20

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 to get states to hand over voter roll data, attempted to restrict mail-in voting, placed federal election monitors at California polls and pushed for proof of citizenship requirements at voter registration. Secretary of State Shirley Weber has led the office since 2021 and has pushed back against the federal government's attempts to seize more control over state elections. Her GOP opponent in the race, Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner, said the state should institute voter ID and speed up the counting process. Marisa sits down with Weber and Wagner to talk about their competing visions for elections in California. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Breakdown on Nancy Pelosi

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 • Duration 52:04

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 Shafer. It's a look at former Speaker Nancy Pelosi's life and legacy as she prepares to retire after nearly four decades in Congress. Marisa talks to Scott about the genesis and focus of the series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 • Duration 30:46

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 affordability crisis by speeding up housing construction. However, public polling shows support for the measure has tanked in the last few months as critics argue the measure would make it easier to build data centers, which are deeply unpopular with voters. Marisa talks to Jennifer Barrera, CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, a group leading the campaign in support of Prop. 45. Tune in next week to hear the opposition side of the initiative. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Will Newsom Really Sit Out 2028?

Friday, September 18, 2026 • Duration 28:25

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’s promise. Then, one of California’s most competitive congressional races runs through the 48th District in Riverside and San Diego counties. Guy has been reporting from the district and walks through the candidates and the issues driving voters. They also unpack the slipping support for Proposition 45, the November ballot measure that would reform the California Environmental Quality Act. Support for the measure was at 73% in July according to the Public Policy Institute of California. This week, it fell to 49%. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Thursday, September 17, 2026 • Duration 32:08

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 rates and acts as a consumer advocate. Kim’s biggest proposal is a single-payer disaster insurance policy, but critics say she won’t be able to deliver on that promise. She joins Marisa in studio to explain her vision. You can listen to last week’s interview with the other candidate in this race, state Sen. Ben Allen. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Political Breakdown – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Political Breakdown – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities