If Tom Steyer Doesn't Make The Runoff, This May Be Why...

If Tom Steyer Doesn't Make The Runoff, This May Be Why...

California’s top-two primary system has created a strange campaign tactic: sometimes candidates don’t just run against their opponents — they try to choose which opponent they want. Adam Schiff did it with Steve Garvey. Gavin Newsom did it with Brian Dahle. So why didn’t Tom Steyer do the same thing with Sheriff Chad Bianco? In this video, I break down how Steyer could have used his own campaign money to elevate Bianco with Republican voters, potentially pulling votes away from Steve Hilton in the race for California governor. I also explain why Xavier Becerra may be benefiting from a very different factor: temperament. Becerra is not moderate ideologically, but next to Steyer’s overheated style, he may look more normal and steady to voters who are not following every ideological detail. The election is just days away. If Steyer falls short, this may be one of the strategic mistakes people look back on. Subscribe for more California politics: SoDoesItMatter.com [http://www.sodoesitmatter.com]

ICYMI: This Morning's SDIM Live! — California’s June Election Is Here, And The Top-Two Chaos Is Already Underway - And Much More!

In this solo So, Does It Matter? Live, Jon Fleischman breaks down the final stretch of California’s June election season, starting with the governor’s race and the growing pressure on Republicans to consolidate behind one candidate in the top-two primary. He discusses the latest PPIC poll, Steve Hilton’s position, Chad Bianco’s challenge, Democratic turnout concerns, and why California’s long vote-counting process makes “Election Day” increasingly meaningless. Jon also digs into the Los Angeles mayor’s race, where Karen Bass is showing serious weakness, Nithya Raman is gaining traction, and Spencer Pratt’s unusual campaign is becoming harder to dismiss. From there, he turns to Republican drama in State Senate District 4, the controversy over a Duarte campaign mailer targeting Marie Alvarado-Gil, the fight over use of the official Republican Party logo on voter guides, and a new Sacramento push to restrict firearm purchases through training and permit requirements. Of course get a lot more at the SDIM website [http://www.sodoesitmatter.com]!

Straight Talk with Michael Gates, Candidate for California Attorney General

Jon Fleischman interviews Michael Gates, the Republican candidate for California Attorney General, about his campaign against Rob Bonta, his Huntington Beach legal record, crime, Prop. 36, constitutional rights, ballot titles, corruption, and what he would do on day one as California’s top law enforcement officer. Watch specific segments: 00:00 — Welcome, Introducing Michael Gates  02:02 — Gates’ Background, Huntington Beach, And His Legal Record  04:33 — Campaign Update: Clearing The GOP Field  05:54 — Fundraising, Endorsements, And The Million-Dollar Mark  08:05 — What Can A Republican Attorney General Actually Do?  09:01 — The Independent Power Of California’s Attorney General  10:20 — Crime, Prop. 36, And A “Zero Crime” Agenda  12:06 — California Crime Rates Vs. Huntington Beach’s Record  13:32 — Rob Bonta’s Priorities And Suing Trump  14:27 — Day One: Constitutional Rights, CCWs, And Federal Law  15:42 — Schools, Gender Issues, Title IX, And Girls’ Sports  16:34 — Corruption, Waste, Fraud, And Clawing Back Taxpayer Money  18:47 — Ballot Titles, Summaries, And Direct Democracy  22:37 — Rob Bonta, Bontagate, And Campaign Legal Spending  25:40 — Bonta’s Political Allies And Federal Indictments  28:24 — Why Gates Says Californians Should Help His Campaign  29:00 — Gates4AG.com, Social Media, And Final Appeal Subscribe for more California political analysis: SoDoesItMatter.com [http://www.sodoesitmatter.com]

An Analysis of the final Gubernatorial Debate Heading Into June Election

California’s final major gubernatorial debate before the primary is in the books — and Jon Fleischman breaks down who helped themselves, who hurt themselves, and what the debate revealed about the state of the race. In this rapid-fire analysis, Jon examines:  • Why Xavier Becerra spent the night under siege over scandal questions  • How Steve Hilton emerged once again as the strongest communicator on stage  • Why Katie Porter may have had her best debate — possibly too late  • The continuing strengths and limitations of Chad Bianco  • Why Matt Mahan still hasn’t broken through  • Tom Steyer’s growing authenticity problem  • Antonio Villaraigosa’s struggle to escape the past Jon also explains why, after five debates, the field remains remarkably unsettled heading into the final stretch of voting — with one notable exception: Eric Swalwell, whose campaign imploded before the race ever fully took shape. A blunt, substantive, and unapologetically opinionated breakdown of the final debate in California’s race to replace Gavin Newsom.

ICYMI: Yesterday’s SDIM Live! — Los Angeles Politics Goes Completely Off The Rails — And Spencer Pratt Is Somehow In The Middle Of It

Jon Fleischman is joined by longtime Los Angeles political consultant Matt Klink for a wide-ranging discussion about the chaos unfolding in Los Angeles and California politics. They break down the Los Angeles mayor’s race, Karen Bass’s political problems, Spencer Pratt’s viral campaign ads, Democratic Socialist influence at LA City Hall, controversial new tax proposals, and the latest developments in the California governor’s race. The conversation also covers homelessness, public unions, Prop 13 loopholes, copper theft, low-turnout elections, ballot manipulation strategies, and the growing frustration many Californians feel toward government dysfunction. Topics Include:  • Karen Bass and the LA mayor’s race  • Spencer Pratt’s surprising political rise  • Democratic Socialists on the LA City Council  • LA streetlight tax proposal  • County sales tax increases  • Public employee unions  • Prop 13 loopholes  • Xavier Becerra vs Steve Hilton  • Tom Steyer strategy  • California’s top-two primary system  • Low voter turnout and election math Subscribe to Jon’s Substack:  SoDoesItMatter.com Follow Jon Fleischman:  X: @FlashReport Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction, Matt Klink Joins So, Does It Matter? Live!  04:02 — Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt, And The LA Mayor’s Race  06:12 — Runoff Math, Special Interests, And The Top-Two Dynamics  10:31 — Democratic Socialists, Vote Splitting, And LA Political Strategy  16:38 — Spencer Pratt’s Viral AI Ads And Why They’re Working  21:21 — Low Turnout, Homeowners, And Who Actually Votes In LA  23:01 — Los Angeles City Council Races And Democratic Socialist Expansion  27:55 — Traffic Enforcement, Public Safety, And City Hall Priorities  30:30 — The Streetlight Tax Measure And Prop 218 Ballot Politics  35:05 — Cannabis Taxes, Hotel Taxes, And More LA Ballot Measures  36:30 — LA County’s Proposed Sales Tax Increase And Prop 13 Loopholes  39:38 — The California Governor’s Race, Polling, And Republican Math  42:20 — Tom Steyer, Strategic Advertising, And Top-Two Manipulation