The countdown to Election Day is on. Tuesday, Nov. 4 is the last day for Californians to cast their votes on Proposition 50, a measure that would replace current congressional lines drawn by a nonpartisan citizens commission with a map favoring Democrats. Recent polls suggest it’s likely to pass, a change that could reshape California's congressional map and potentially help Democrats in their bid to retake the House next year. Marisa, Scott and Guy break down the strategy driving Prop. 50 toward the finish line, and the national ripple effects it could have. Plus, they discuss the political fallout from the ongoing government shutdown. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's rare for all eyes to be on an off-year election. This year, however, several state elections have captured national attention — from California's Proposition 50 redistricting measure to governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia, and a closely watched Democratic Senate primary in Maine. Marisa and Scott talk to Erin Covey, editor of Cook Political Report’s coverage of U.S. House races. They discuss the key races to watch and what it means for the broader political landscape heading into 2026. Sign up for Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California is under pressure to build more homes — fast. In response to the state's housing mandates, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is pushing a major plan to upzone parts of the city's north and west sides, allowing for tens of thousands of new homes. But some residents are concerned that housing changes will do more harm than good. Scott and Marisa talk to Jason Elliott, former housing advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and now president of Versus Solutions, about what's driving the state's housing mandates and how upzoning could reshape San Francisco. Plus, they discuss California's legislation on artificial intelligence and how the government should regulate AI. 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 says President Donald Trump is laying the groundwork to challenge next month’s Proposition 50 special election and undermine future elections, calling the Department of Justice election monitors at California polling places “a preview of things to come.”  He joined Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer in studio to discuss why Prop 50 is about more than redistricting, Trump’s decision not to send troops to San Francisco, his controversial stance on trans athletes in sports and why he thinks Democrats are “so damn weak as a party.” Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Alameda County recalled progressive District Attorney Pamela Price last year, the Board of Supervisors appointed Superior Court Judge Ursula Jones Dickson to replace her. Since taking office, Jones Dickson has reversed some of her predecessor’s more liberal policies toward prosecutions. She joins Scott in studio to talk about her approach to criminal justice and public safety and the threat of President Trump's troop deployment to Oakland.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Salesforce founder and CEO Marc Benioff was once revered for his philanthropy and progressive politics. But last week, he sparked outrage after saying he supports President Donald Trump sending National Guard troops to San Francisco. Soon after, reporting revealed that Salesforce had lobbied to help the federal government hire more immigration agents. City leaders like Mayor Daniel Lurie and tech figures including Benioff’s longtime friend Ron Conway condemned his comments, prompting Benioff to apologize. But questions remain about his relationship with Trump and what it means for San Francisco politics. Marisa and Scott are joined by New York Times San Francisco bureau chief Heather Knight, who broke the story and is tracking the fallout. If you’re a fan of the show, check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After facing a wave of criticism for a pair of viral videos, gubernatorial frontrunner and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter apologized for her behavior in an interview with Marisa at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento. Scott, Marisa and Guy talk about how she handled the public scrutiny and questions about her temperament.  Plus, they discuss reports that state Sen. Scott Wiener will run for the congressional seat currently held by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. If you’re a fan of the show, check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court appears ready to overturn the last remaining provision of the Voting Rights Act, the landmark civil rights law designed to dismantle Jim Crow-era policies that disenfranchised Black voters. This week, the court heard oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais, a case challenging the state's redistricting map. The case was brought by a group of self-described “non-African-American voters” who argue the creation of Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district violates the Constitution. Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer are joined in studio by Lisa Graves, a former senior Justice Department official and executive director of the progressive watchdog group True North Research. Graves' new book, Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights, connects the roll back of civil rights to the leadership of Chief Justice John Roberts.  If you're a fan of the show, check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The government shutdown has entered its third week, as Senate Democrats say they won’t vote to reopen it until Republicans agree to undo deep cuts to federal health care spending and extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.  If these subsidies expire, health insurance costs could double and hundreds of thousands of Californians could be priced out of coverage, according to estimates by KFF, the nonpartisan health research organization. Scott and Marisa talk to Jessica Altman, the executive director of Covered California, which is the agency that oversees the state's implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A video of gubernatorial frontrunner Katie Porter threatening to end an interview preceded other leaks and criticisms of the former congresswoman. Marisa and Guy are joined by The Sacramento Bee reporter Kate Wolffe to discuss what made the video go viral and how it's shaking up the 2026 governor's race. Plus, they discuss Wolffe's recent investigation on Republican Assembly Leader Heath Flora, who she reported has enjoyed the benefits of power and routinely ignored questions about his conduct. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the  courts continue to consider the legality of President Trump’s deployment of troops into American cities, Marisa and Scott talk with a retired general who’s been raising concerns about what this push could mean for the public, soldiers, our military and our democracy.  Retired Gen. Randy Manner spent 35 years in the armed forces and served as acting vice chief of the National Guard Bureau. He and other retired senior military officers recently filed a brief in support of California's position against the deployment of troops in Los Angeles.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Californians have started receiving their ballots this week for the Nov. 4 special election. Voters will decide on Proposition 50, a measure that would redraw the state’s congressional maps to help Democrats pick up five more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s a move prompted by President Donald Trump’s calls for Republican states to give him more GOP seats in Congress, which Texas and Missouri have already answered.Scott and Marisa discuss the history of gerrymandering with Los Angeles Times writer James Rainey, taking us back to an earlier era a regular part of California’s political landscape. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Portland prepares for the arrival of hundreds of federal troops deployed by President Trump, Scott and Marisa talk with Dirk VanderHart from Oregon Public Broadcasting about how the city is reacting and what they’re expecting this weekend. Then, they're joined by Guy to discuss the federal government shutdown, as Democrats refuse to support funding until Republicans address concerns about health care costs. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

North State Republican Assemblymember James Gallagher has been among the most outspoken opponents of Proposition 50, the ballot measure that would redraw California's congressional districts to give Democrats more seats in Congress. Now, he's proposing to split the state in two. Gallagher joins Marisa and Scott to lay out the argument against Prop. 50 and explain what he calls his "two state solution."  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump’s new $100,000 fee for companies sponsoring skilled immigrant workers with H1-B visas is causing turmoil in Silicon Valley. Companies like Google, Apple and Meta are now reassessing the cost of foreign labor, while students and workers question how stable life in the U.S. will be if they choose to come here. Scott and Marisa are joined by Zehi Yang, senior writer at WIRED, to discuss how companies and workers are responding to the visa changes.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Proposition 50 redistricting campaign is ramping up with new ads featuring New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in support and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in opposition. Marisa and Guy are joined by Politico's senior political reporter Melanie Mason to discuss the money and personalities on both sides of Prop. 50. Plus, they talk about former Vice President Kamala Harris's new book "107 Days" recounting her campaign for president.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter joins Marisa and Scott in studio to discuss the latest news, including a looming government shutdown, the national redistricting fight, ICE’s implementation of Trump’s deportation policies and Jimmy Kimmel's broadcast return. Porter is running for governor of California in 2026.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Democrats pushing to build more housing by removing barriers to development have had major victories this year. Now, Governor Newsom will decide whether to sign a controversial bill that would increase housing near bus stops and transit lines. Scott and Marisa discuss the housing debate in Sacramento with CalMatters reporter Ben Christopher.  Then, they're joined by one of the founders of California YIMBY to talk about what the latest changes in housing mean for the Yes In My Backyard movement.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voters in San Francisco’s Sunset District overwhelmingly recalled Supervisor Joel Engardio this week over his support for closing the Great Highway and turning it into a new park. Scott, Marisa, Guy and KQED's Sydney Johnson talk about what the recall says about local politics, the city's rezoning battle and how it could make elected officials think twice before crossing their constituents.  Read more: Supervisor Joel Engardio Is Out. What’s Next for San Francisco’s Sunset District? Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump's administration has shifted its campaign against elite universities to the University of California system. They are demanding changes that would remake universities in a conservative image and insisted the UC hand over a list of students, faculty and staff as part of an investigation into alleged antisemitism. While the standoff continues, labor unions, faculties and students are suing the administration to prevent the government from using financial threats that they say undermine academic freedom.  Marisa and Scott discuss all this with the Los Angeles Times education reporter Jaweed Kaleem. Then, they're joined by UC Berkeley law professor Christopher Kutz, who has been part of a faculty effort to insist the UC not negotiate with the Trump administration. Read more: UC Labor Groups Sue Trump Over ‘Coercive’ Antisemitism Investigations and Demands Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices