Political Breakdown

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 reporting on the spending in a local North Bay Assembly race. They discuss what it reveals about a shift in political spending strategy by tech industry leaders.  Then, they’re joined by KQED’s Laura Fitzgerald to discuss the Trump administration's lawsuit this week against California, demanding state elections officials withhold ballots from 20,000 voters that the Department of Justice flagged as potentially ineligible. Don’t forget to use KQED’s voter guide when filling out your ballot! Plus, check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco crypto billionaire Chris Larsen has become an increasingly engaged and potent political force in Democratic politics. He’s funded surveillance technology like Flock cameras in the city and poured tens of millions of dollars into the state’s legislative races this election cycle. As much of his tech peers rally around President Donald Trump, Larsen remains a staunch Democrat. Larsen joins Marisa in studio to discuss where he disagrees with his son on surveillance technology, his bold call to “shut down all the data centers until we get goddamn regulations,” why he opposes the billionaire tax initiative Proposition 40 and what kind of candidates he’s supporting through his super PAC Grow California.  Don’t forget to use KQED’s voter guide when filling out your ballot! Plus, check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 state — a red stronghold in blue California. Democrats moved it southwest, drawing in more blue regions like the city of Santa Rosa, when they redrew the congressional maps. It’s now considered a safe Democratic seat.  Marisa and Scott sit down with the Republican and the Democrat vying to represent this new district in Congress.  First, they talk to Rep. James Gallagher, a former state Assembly member. He was elected to represent the old district earlier this year after the sudden death of longtime Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Then, they are joined by state Sen. Mike McGuire, who has represented the North Bay in the Legislature since 2014 and spent three years as Senate leader. Don’t forget to use KQED’s voter guide when filling out your ballot! Plus, check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Central Valley Republican Congressman David Valado and his Democratic challenger, college professor Randy Villegas, faced off in a debate earlier this week. Marisa and Guy talk to one of the moderators, FOX40 anchor Nikki Laurenzo, about the showdown in Bakersfield and what it means for control of Congress.  Then, Republican political consultant Mike Madrid joins them to discuss how Democrats are trying to win back working-class Latino voters. Does progressive Villegas or the more moderate Rep. Adam Gray make a more compelling case? Don’t forget to use KQED’s voter guide when filling out your ballot! Plus, check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 more favorable to him, but Gray is still considered to be in a tough fight to hold on to his seat. He faces former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln II. Marisa sits down with Gray at his campaign office in Merced to discuss why the moderate Democrat thinks both parties need to turn down the temperature.  Don’t forget to use KQED’s voter guide when filling out your ballot! Plus, check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices