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This is a Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast, recorded live in Sacramento at A Post-Mortem of the 2026 Election, presented by Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center on Thursday, November 5, 2026. This episode we present Panel 1, The Blue Wave Republicans paid a historic price at the ballot box on Tuesday, losing both houses of congress by huge margins. Democrats now hold a majority of Governorships, and they expanded their margins in statehouses across the country, including California. What to make of this 'Blue Tsunami' - and what impact did Proposition 50 - which redrew California’s congressional districts - play? Panelists: Sean Clegg, Bearstar Strategies; Rusty Hicks, California Democratic Party; Lindsay Hopkins, SEIU California; Andre Levesque, Gilliard Blanning and Levesque Moderated by journalist and Author Dan Morain. This episode was originally published with the wrong audio file. We regret the error. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we welcome Senator Monique Limón (D- Santa Barbara), the Senate President pro Tempore.  Limón is the first Latina, the first woman of color and the first mother to hold the position. She spoke with us about her tenure so far as leader of the legislature's upper body, what she expects from the coming year, and about her friend and mentor, the late Dolores Huerta, who passed the day we recorded this interview. 2:09 Assessing students' math ability 2:27 Sports in prison 4:38 Anchor and Tree 5:07 A Post-Mortem of the 2026 Election 7:22 Senator Monique Limón 10:14 Philosophy of leadership 13:09 Big issues 15:54 The election 20:19 Relationship with Xavier Becerra 23:00 Dolores Huerta 27:07 Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Politicians generally see public appearances as a chance to gain some media attention and to get their message out into the greater world. Whether or not that goes smoothly is almost always attributable to having a solid advance team. A great advance person is equal parts drill sergeant, Energizer Bunny and psychic, with an obsessive attention to detail. On today's show we are joined by Carol Dahmen-Eckery, who for decades was one of the most well-known and respected campaign managers and advance team leaders in the business, who shares a plethora of insights and lessons from her years being the one to stop problems before they could even occur. 3:15 Capitol Caffeine series 4:18 Age evolution around the Capitol 5:10 Carol Dahmen-Eckery 6:19 Press conference at a freeway entrance 7:57 The role of the Advance team 8:47 The last event of the 1998 Gray Davis campaign 10:29 "Discount Advance" 12:05 The biggest challenges 13:34 Security 15:22 How the candidate's personality affects the event 18:02 Essential Advance skills 20:39 Secret Service 22:37 Career path 25:50 Getting the candidate TO the event 27:53 "Years of experience" 28:13 The Martin Sheen story 31:02 Get in the trenches 32:23 Failure is a good teacher 33:25 Still staffing Gray Davis 36:31 #WWCA Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donationhere: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our guest today is Eloy Oakley, the President of the College Futures Foundation. He earlier served as Chancellor of California's Community Colleges and was on the Board of Regents for the University of California. Oakley himself is a community college success story - he attended Golden West College before transferring to UC Irvine where he earned a BA and MBA. He argues that postsecondary attainment isn't just an education issue, it's an economic one. The research backs him up: studies suggest that California could unlock trillions of dollars in long-term economic gains by better developing the talent that's already here.  1:09 The Insurance Commissioner race 1:22 The Tribes vs. prediction markets 1:52 The undervote 3:38 Post-Mortem of the Election 4:53 Eloy Oakley 8:12 A different definition of "college" 10:56 Advice: Broaden your education 13:23 A Working Learner 17:08 The changing labor market 19:53 What the candidates for governor say 23:42 The Golden Ticket 27:01 Funding 29:14 A clear through line between education and better economic outcomes 31:32 Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics? Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode we discuss two very different aspects of family. First up is our conversation with former Sacramento Bee editorial columnist Tom Philp, who joins us to talk about his moving five-part series examining how California’s mental health system is failing the families who need its help the most. Then we are joined by Ken Monroe, chairman of the Family Business Association of California, who highlights some of the challenges and opportunities facing California’s family-owned businesses.   2:47 Haney’s AB 2344 3:42 How do lobbying firms grow? 4:13 Tom Philp 5:22 Series on Califia Carlisle 7:52 State history on behavioral health 10:18 CARE Court: “The teeth were taken out.” 13:51 Incredibly challenging to cover 18:40 “It was a story of systemic failure.” 22:04 What can be done to get off of this track? 24:53 How can cities and counties work better together?  28:18 “All of the creators of content are under attack” 33:01 Ken Monroe 33:36 What is the Family Business Association? 39:35 “We talk with a lot of people who have just given up.” 40:39 Holt & Caterpillar tractor’s origins in Stockton 42:05 Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) 45:43 What’s the message from the legislature? 48:20 Have you seen change post PAGA reform? 51:01 One size does not fit all 55:16 We spend all of our time defending ourselves 57:31 #WWCA   Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donationhere: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way"; by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kelly Calkin heads Calkin Public Affairs, a Sacramento-based firm that advises some of the biggest names in California politics. Calkin has a different background from many of his public affairs colleagues - he cut his teeth working for Labor, first at the California Building and Construction Trades State Council then for the California Professional Firefighters. Later stints with the Personal Insurance Federation of California and PG&E broadened his portfolio and gave him a look at the "business" side of doing business in California. He launched CPA thirteen years ago, but "refreshed" and expanded the firm in 2025. He joined us to talk about his career, how government affairs has changed, and his approach to making things happen in California. Plus, as always, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics. :46 Props to California 6:40 Legislation wrap-up 7:11 The effort to reintroduce Grizzly Bears 10;00 Swim California 11:43 NIL legislation 13:20 Kelly Calkin 14:40 Starting with Labor 19:30 To California Professional Firefighters 22:11 "Can i staff the BBQ?" 23:11 Why the reorganization? 26:53 Authenticity 29:45 How to present 36:26 Lobbying vs. Public Affairs 39:03 When a client isn't a good fit 41:45 #WWCA Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at California Health Care which was held in Sacramento on September 23, 2026. This is Panel 1: The Impact of H. R. 1 Our panelists are: Ben Avey, WellSpace Health; Tam Ma, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems; Christine Smith, Health Access; Josh Stehlik, California Immigrant Policy Center Moderated by Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly Thanks to our event sponsors: THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, STUTZMAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS and FIONA HUTTON & ASSOCIATES Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're joined today by Larry Lee, Publisher of The Sacramento Observer, and head of the rapidly expanding OBSERVER Media Group, which now includes the Sacramento News and Review, the Chico News and Review, and the Stockton Observer. The Sacramento Observer was founded in 1962 by Lee's father, Dr. William H. Lee, radio personality Geno Gladden, and businessman John W. Cole. The Observer has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and has been named the "Best Black Newspaper in America" eight times. And, speaking of excellence, The Observer is hosting the 2026 ONYX Awards, honoring Sacramento's most influential and respected Black leaders. Lee Gives us the history of the paper, shares his vision for OBSERVER Media, and talks about the honorees of this year's ONYX Awards, including Hall of Famer Willie Brown. 1:35 Card room story 1:50 Megan Yee 2:10 Byron Sher 4:00 Larry Lee 5:19 "The Nation's Best Black Newspaper" 7:40 Black press began in 1847 9:18 Food reviews from Greg Lucas 11:43 Dr. Lee and Ronald Reagan 14:40 Relationships! 16:01 Stockton Observer 22:50 The ONYX Awards 25:26 There are many political players on the ONYX list 26:22 Hall of Fame: Willie Brown   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re joined today by Asm. Josh Lowenthal (D – Long Beach) who spoke with us about his bills, AB 1709 and AB 2 - both signed by the governor last week – to regulate Social Media use by children and to hold tech companies financially liable when they cause harm. We also chat about a bill that did not make it out of the legislature - Senate Bill 1013, an effort to regulate the use of Flock cameras. Plus, as always, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics.   1:08 AB 1709 and AB 2 have been signed 2:22 Now on the Capitol Weekly website 3:18 Asm. Josh Lowenthal 0:48  AB 1709 and AB 2 4:57 85% spike in child suicide rate 6:34 Social media screen time vs. television screen time 8:21 An attempt to regulate social media 12:48 Why the legislation is not a total ban for kids 15:15 Social media and marginalized communities 16:41 SB 1013 to regulate Flock cameras 18:80 Law enforcement opposition 20:50 “How much technology do we employ to keep us safe?” 22:13 Joe Jost’s 23:40 #WWCA   Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donationhere: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're joined by Mariel Garza, co-founder and executive editor of the Golden State Report. Garza was a longtime reporter and editor for mainstream California news organizations, including the Sacramento Bee and the Los Angeles Times, until she abruptly resigned from the L.A. Times’ editorial board in October 2024 after owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked publication of an endorsement of Kamala Harris for president. Garza spoke with us about her decision to leave the Times, why she and her colleagues have launched a new independent media venture, and what she's watching in the Los Angeles mayors race. Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A poll from Median Strategies roiled the Los Angeles mayoral race earlier this month, showing Mayor Karen Bass with an 11 point lead over challenger Nithya Raman. The results were cited by several media outlets, and were touted by the Bass campaign before the poll was exposed as fake. When contacted, Median Strategies posted a statement that their polling had been "a short-term social experiment examining how purported polling information could enter and spread through the political information ecosystem without independent verification."  Social experiment or not, the poll did impact the race - at least in the short term - and certainly impacted election prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. Political data expert Paul Mitchell joined us to talk about how junk polls, paid influencers and strategic gaming of the election markets can distort perceptions about a campaign. Plus, who had the Worst Week in California Politics? 2:01 "That's the Pacific Ocean" 4:35 Capitol Weekly Internship 7:30 Death penalty 9:04 Paul Mitchell 10:23 Bogus polling 13:37 Picked up by media 17:02 "Everybody's a pundit" 20:48 Prediction markets 22:13 $7M bet on Spencer Pratt AFTER the election 23:56 Could prediction markets replace polling? 27:15 How is this legal? 30:05 Predictit 31:35 A note about gaming 34:01 Duane Dichiara debt 34:48 Scott Lay's election pool 35:33 Junk polls designed to generate coverage 38:28 "Traditionally, your campaign's internal polling is some of the highest quality polling" 41:03 What California race should people be watching more closely? 43:15 The split in the Democratic Party 47:14 #WWCA Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Democratic strategist Michael Trujillo has worked for a number of political candidates in his long career, including heavyweights like Hillary Clinton and Antonio Villaraigosa. He joins us on the Capitol Weekly podcast this week to talk about life in the political arena, the ongoing civil war within the Democratic Party, his role in the downfall of former Congressman and aspiring gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell and…breakdancing.   2:35  Capitol Weekly Interns Olivia Bye and Sydney Laird 16:02 Early accusations against Eric Swalwell 22:34 “I’ve personally spoken to about 17 victims of Congressman Swalwell.” 25:36 Role of influencers in helping victims come forward 29:35 I’ll be able to reflect on this cycle after the election 30:28 How did you get to where you are now? 35:19 Thoughts on the current condition of the Democratic party 39:12 “An expert middleman” 44:20 “Make sure you know what you’re saying is true” 46:24 The strength is in the candidate 47:26 Jayden Daniels 49:39 “You have to have a healthy ego to run for office.” 50:20 Breakdancing    Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It has been a very busy last few years for Fair Political Practices Commission Chairman Adam Silver. In addition to the usual challenges of an election year, Silver has been working on numerous efforts to utilize artificial intelligence in how the FPPC addresses campaign finance issues. He joined us recently on the Capitol Weekly podcast to talk about these issues and more.  0:50 Top 100 Party recap 5:02 Adam Silver 7:08 Update on FPPC’s agenda last year 11:05 Highlighting productivity 12:40 Who sets the fines? 14:22 People using AI to file claims 17:45 Reporting requirements for social media creators 20:38 Clipping 24:27 AI disclaimer requirement 27:38 FPPC’s agenda this year 30:53 Use of campaign funds for security 33:49 Integrating AI into FPPC operations 35:15 Involvement in tech advisory groups 38:53 #WWCA   Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by Jenny Huh of ABC10 for a look at the 18th edition of Capitol Weekly's Top 100, which published yesterday. Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 is our annual analysis of the unelected political power structure in California. We look at the mostlybehind the scenes players who influence policy, elections and governance, including Capitol staff, lobbyists, Agency staff, donors, business leaders, activists, Labor leaders – and even journalists. Huh, Ehisen and Foster run through the Top 10, look at some of the new faces and discuss the themes running through this year's list. :32 Jenny Huh 1:04 The Top 100 2:04 The Top 10 2:15 Nathan Barankin 5:55 Ann Patterson 9:16 Joe Stephenshaw 12:05 Christine Aurre 12:58 Bob Hertzberg 19:03 Nani Coloretti 19:18 Jim DeBoo 19:55 Jennifer Barrera 20:43 Tia Orr 21:03 Teri Holoman 25:20 Dave Regan 33:10 Ned Wigglesworth 35:00 Dolores Huerta 40:45 Alexei Koseff and Sophia Bollag 49:00 Generational change 49:45 Tony Bui, Laiza Negrete and Ramona Prieto 50:26 Tiffany Whiten and Angela Pontes 51:13 Paul Mitchell 56:10 Who is not there? 56:33 Alma Hernandez and Izzy Gardon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the podcast we often joke about our "very special guests" but legendary California lobbyist Paula Treat truly fits the bill. Treat was one of our very first, and one of our most frequent, guests on the Capitol Weekly Podcast. Next week she will be inducted into the Top 100 Hall of Fame, so we invited her to talk about her Hall of Fame-worthy career, and about the other members of the Class of 2026: Allan Zaremberg, Bob White, Scott Lay, Robbie Hunter and Carmela Coyle. :20 The Top 100 is coming 3:02 Capitol Briefs 3:20 Return to Office Podcast comments 9:00 Next week's episode publishes Tuesday night 9:50 Crime fiction 15:56 Chris Shary shout out 17:39 Paula Treat 18:56 The Barracuda Award 20:48 Straight shooter 22:57 A different era 23:43 George Skelton Oral History 25:37 Big changes 29:03 Big issues this year? 33:33 The Top 100 Hall of Fame 33:53 Allan Zaremberg 35:57 Bob White 40:43 Scott Lay 48:04 Robbie Hunter 52:40 Carmela Coyle 1:00:07 #WWCA Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.