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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Signup to Generate a PitchJoin 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.
Political Breakdown is hosted by KQED. The show has published 857 episodes to date.
Recent episodes include "Governor Newsom Weighs Commuting the Death Sentences of Over 500 Inmates" (23 October 2026, 24 minutes), "Randy Villegas Has a Theory of How to Win in the Central Valley" (22 October 2026, 32 minutes), and "Democrat Marni von Wilpert Is Running in One of Three California Swing Districts" (20 October 2026, 31 minutes).
Political Breakdown publishes roughly a few times a week, with episodes averaging 33 minutes across 857 episodes.
Booking probability for Political Breakdown is 40%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Political Breakdown requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Political Breakdown's contact route on record: verified email.
KQED hosts Political Breakdown, a news show with 857 episodes published.
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Political Breakdown
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 prison without the possibility of parole. His...
Political Breakdown
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 Congressman David Valadao in California’s 22nd...
Political Breakdown
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 Supervisors. Von Wilpert, a former deputy city...
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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 pass those taxes, but Prop. 43 would require a...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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...
Political Breakdown
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 immigrants to qualify for green cards and for their...
Political Breakdown
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 spotlight. Marisa, Scott and Guy break down the...
Political Breakdown
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 consumer advocate. The race comes as the state...
Political Breakdown
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 group isn’t just weighing in on swing districts...
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