California Election Preview 2026: Governor’s Race, Trump’s Impact, Taxes, AI & San Mateo County’s Future

California Election Preview 2026: Governor’s Race, Trump’s Impact, Taxes, AI & San Mateo County’s Future

Days before California's 2026 primary, Mark Simon and Bob Marks convene a power panel to break down everything on the ballot. Congressman Kevin Mullin, San Mateo Daily Journal Editor Jon Mays, and Central Labor Council Executive Director Julie Lind join the show for a wide-ranging conversation on the governor's race, voter anger, low turnout, the billionaire tax, Bay Area transit funding, AI and the future of work, and key local races in San Mateo County. Is anger driving this election, or is it fear? Who survives the governor's primary after Swalwell's dramatic exit? Can Tom Steyer buy his way into the top two? And what does San Mateo County look like a decade from now? Guests: * Congressman Kevin Mullin (CA-15) * Jon Mays, Editor, San Mateo Daily Journal * Julie Lind, Executive Director, San Mateo County Central Labor Council Topics covered: * Voter anger, fear, and low primary turnout * California governor's race: Becerra vs. Steyer vs. Hilton * The Swalwell fallout and its impact on the Democratic field * Redistricting, the Voting Rights Act, and political polarization * The California billionaire wealth tax * Bay Area regional transit funding and the messaging problem * AI, automation, and the future of work in San Mateo County * San Mateo County Assessor's race: Canepa vs. Irizarry * Final predictions from the panel Subscribe for more conversations on California politics, national issues, and the people shaping both. Hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks. Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com [https://BravoITC.com] and YourTechMakeover.com [https://YourTechMakeover.com]. For more information, visit TheGamePeninsula.com [https://TheGamePeninsula.com].  * (00:00) - Introduction and panel introductions * (01:26) - Is anger driving the 2026 election? * (04:28) - What voters are saying about the governor’s race * (06:06) - Why Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, and other candidates are gaining attention * (08:46) - Low voter turnout and why ballots remain uncast * (11:42) - Strategic voting and late-breaking decisions * (16:38) - The biggest challenges facing California’s next governor * (19:13) - Debate over California’s top-two primary system * (23:39) - Why major Democrats stayed out of the governor’s race * (26:13) - Can Democrats retake the House in 2026? * (29:07) - Redistricting battles and political polarization * (33:18) - Tax measures, transit funding, and voter fatigue * (40:21) - The billionaire tax debate * (50:22) - What San Mateo County will look like in 10–20 years * (51:40) - AI, technology, and the future workforce * (56:46) - Labor’s concerns about automation and economic inequality * (01:01:06) - Election predictions: governor’s race and assessor contest * (01:04:11) - Post-panel analysis and final thoughts * (01:10:13) - Closing remarks

California Governor’s Race Heats Up | Midterms, Billionaire Tax & San Mateo County Elections

With just days remaining before California voters head to the polls, Mark Simon and Bob Marks break down the increasingly unpredictable race for governor, the latest polling trends, and what could determine who advances to November. They examine the campaigns of Antonio Villaraigosa, Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and other contenders, along with the impact of money, endorsements, and voter turnout. The conversation also explores California’s biggest challenges facing the next governor—including AI regulation, insurance markets, wildfire policy, water resources, and the state’s ongoing relationship with the Trump administration. Mark and Bob then shift to national politics, discussing President Trump’s declining approval ratings, congressional tensions, the Iran conflict, inflation, gas prices, and what the early signs suggest for the upcoming midterm elections. Closer to home, they analyze several important San Mateo County races, including contests for Board of Supervisors, Assessor-Clerk-Recorder-Elections Chief, Superintendent of Schools, and Board of Equalization. They also discuss the proposed billionaire tax, transit funding challenges, local tax measures, housing development debates, and what voters should watch heading into November. Subscribe for more conversations on California politics, national issues, and the people shaping both. The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com. #CaliforniaPolitics #Election2026 #GovernorRace #Trump #Midterms #SanMateoCounty #LocalPolitics #PublicPolicy #TheGamePodcast #PoliticalAnalysis * (00:00) - Welcome to The Game * (00:30) - California governor’s race enters final stretch * (01:41) - Polling, campaign spending, and Tom Steyer’s challenge * (05:18) - Why the next governor may face unexpected issues * (06:15) - AI regulation, insurance, wildfires, and California’s future * (07:27) - California Democrats and dealing with the Trump administration * (08:05) - Trump, Congress, Iran, and growing Republican divisions * (09:35) - Could California’s next governor serve only one term? * (11:21) - Debate over California’s Top-Two Primary system * (12:38) - Billionaire tax and regional transit tax proposals * (13:27) - BART, Caltrain, and the politics of transit funding * (15:17) - Will California voters support a billionaire tax? * (16:20) - Tax measures, inflation, and voter frustration * (19:33) - Board of Equalization race: Sally Lieber vs. John Pimentel * (22:10) - Trump’s approval ratings and the 2026 midterms * (24:05) - Iran, inflation, gas prices, and economic pressures * (26:07) - Redistricting and the battle for Congress * (28:14) - San Mateo County Supervisor races examined * (31:19) - Noelia Corzo and the write-in challenge * (34:08) - Superintendent of Schools race: Camacho vs. Bonini * (34:45) - Assessor-Clerk-Recorder-Elections Chief race analysis * (38:10) - Endorsements, campaign spending, and voter awareness * (42:01) - Looking ahead to November’s local elections * (43:23) - The importance of local political coverage * (44:20) - Final thoughts and election preview next week * (45:19) - Closing remarks

Jon Mays on Local Journalism, AI Ethics, Historic Preservation & California Politics

Jon Mays, editor of the San Mateo Daily Journal, joins Mark Simon and Bob Marks for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of local journalism, AI in media, political endorsements, education policy, historic preservation, and the changing political landscape in San Mateo County and California. Jon discusses how the Daily Journal approaches endorsements during election season, why the paper rejects AI-generated submissions, and the challenges local newspapers face in the social media era. The conversation also explores school cell phone bans, California’s gubernatorial race, housing and historic preservation debates, and how local communities are evolving politically and culturally. This episode offers a thoughtful look at the role of journalism in democracy and the tensions between growth, technology, and preserving community identity. Subscribe for more conversations on California politics, national issues, and the people shaping both. The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com. Time Breaks * (00:00) - – Introduction and Jon Mays joins the show * (00:45) - – San Mateo County assessor race and newspaper endorsements * (02:36) - – Reactions to endorsements and public criticism * (05:05) - – Why local newspapers still make endorsements * (07:24) - – Do endorsements actually influence voters? * (08:54) - – AI-generated letters and Daily Journal policy * (10:18) - – Why Jon Mays opposes AI-written submissions * (11:57) - – AI in journalism and the Fresno Bee controversy * (14:57) - – School cell phone bans and the value of writing * (18:50) - – The state of local journalism and social media challenges * (21:35) - – Sales tax proposals and public frustration * (24:22) - – San Mateo historic preservation debate explained * (32:00) - – How San Mateo County has changed over the years * (35:02) - – Diversity and change in local politics * (38:38) - – The hardest part of being a journalist * (40:40) - – California governor’s race discussion begins * (41:34) - – Republicans, Democrats, and California’s political reality * (46:16) - – Why Xavier Becerra may emerge as the Democratic frontrunner * (49:50) - – Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Joe Cotchett on Taking on Elon Musk, AI Dangers, and the Future of American Democracy

Legendary trial attorney Joe Cotchett joins The Game for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation on law, politics, and the future of the country. Cotchett breaks down his firm’s landmark $2.5+ billion securities fraud verdict against Elon Musk, explains why it’s a rare case of driving stock prices down, and what it means moving forward. The conversation then turns to the darker side of AI and social media, including rising teen suicide rates, scams targeting seniors, and the legal battle over Section 230. From California politics and Gavin Newsom’s future to the 2028 presidential race, Cotchett shares insider perspectives on candidates, the Democratic bench, and what it will take to win back power. He also reflects on decades of landmark civil rights cases, why he never ran for office, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. 🔥 A powerful conversation about justice, power, and the fight for democracy. ⏱️ Time Chapters * (00:00) - – Intro & Joe Cotchett joins the show * (00:01) - – Lawsuit vs Elon Musk explained * (00:03) - – Why this securities fraud case is historic * (00:05) - – What Musk was like on the stand * (00:07) - – The social media & AI addiction lawsuits * (00:09) - – AI scams, deepfakes, and rising dangers * (00:10) - – Section 230 and the legal battle ahead * (00:11) - – Shocking real-world case involving online deception * (00:13) - – Why Cotchett never ran for office * (00:15) - – Civil rights cases that shaped his career * (00:18) - – California governor race breakdown * (00:21) - – State crises: fires, homelessness, and policy failures * (00:25) - – Billionaire tax debate * (00:27) - – What Democrats are getting wrong * (00:28) - – Gavin Newsom’s presidential potential * (00:31) - – 2028 contenders & “sleepers” to watch * (00:37) - – Did Democrats miss their chance in 2024? * (00:43) - – Midterm outlook: can Democrats take the House & Senate? * (00:45) - – DOJ, Trump, and the state of democracy * (00:49) - – Should the Supreme Court be expanded? * (00:52) - – What keeps Cotchett going * (00:55) - – His legacy and message to young lawyers * (00:57) - – Closing thoughts Subscribe for more conversations on California politics, national issues, and the people shaping both. The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com.  You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com.

War, Gas Prices & Midterms: Is Trump on the Brink? | March Political Roundup

Mark Simon and Bob Marks wrap up a packed month of interviews and dive deeper into the biggest political stories shaping the moment. From rising gas prices and escalating tensions with Iran to the looming midterms and shifting voter sentiment, the conversation explores what success actually looks like in U.S. foreign policy—and whether the current strategy is sustainable. They also break down: * The political risks facing President Trump * How gas prices could reshape the election * Growing distrust in elections and the SAVE Act debate * California’s chaotic governor’s race * Local San Mateo County battles heating up * And a lighter note: Opening Day and optimism for the Giants It’s a wide-ranging, candid discussion on politics, policy, and the unpredictability of what comes next. ⏱️ Time Breaks (Chapters) 00:00 – Intro & March recap 00:31 – A month of major interviews 00:53 – Iran conflict & rising gas prices 01:41 – U.S. policy on Iran & nuclear threats 03:20 – What does “success” even look like? 05:18 – Military options & Strait of Hormuz 07:23 – Global economy & oil disruption 09:29 – Gas prices and political fallout 10:53 – Trump’s possible endgame 12:39 – What has actually been accomplished? 15:02 – Midterms outlook & political risks 16:18 – “No Kings” protests & voter sentiment 18:04 – Will protests impact elections? 19:12 – Trump, health, and political stability 21:09 – Election trust & voting concerns 23:17 – Vote-by-mail debate & Supreme Court 26:06 – California governor’s race chaos 27:54 – Strategy, money & campaign dynamics 29:24 – Why candidates stay in the race 33:09 – Why voters aren’t paying attention yet 33:41 – Local San Mateo County races 38:22 – Development battles & community tensions 40:10 – Social media & political polarization 42:15 – Giants Opening Day & sports talk 46:18 – Buster Posey & rebuilding optimism 46:46 – Final thoughts & wrap-up Subscribe for more conversations on California politics, national issues, and the people shaping both. The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com.