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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 kids to receive public benefits. Bonta joins Marisa in studio to discuss the latest legal challenge. Plus, they talk about the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of the president’s mail-in voting restrictions, Bonta’s investigation into the summer’s OpenAI hack and the $17 billion settlement his office led against Meta. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 latest accusations, alliances and drama in the increasingly heated race. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Listen to The Speaker: How Nancy Pelosi Changed the Face of Power wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 faces increasingly destructive wildfires, rising energy prices and a volatile insurance market. Marisa sits down with state Sen. Ben Allen, who said his experience in Sacramento makes him the best candidate for the job.  Tune in next week to hear from the other candidate, former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Jane Kim. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. It’s jumping in on Democrat-on-Democrat races as well, including the East Bay special election to replace former Rep. Eric Swalwell. Despite spending millions against Aisha Wahab, AIPAC failed to keep her from winning last month’s contest.  Marisa talks to David Dayen, executive editor of The American Prospect, about AIPAC’s agenda, how the group has tried to hide its spending by transferring donations through other PACs and whether AIPAC spending hurts or helps campaigns.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices