Governor News & Analysis

Report Shorts (Feb. 5, 2026)

by Jacob Rubashkin February 5, 2026 · 2:28 PM EST

California Governor. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan jumped into the crowded field that already includes eight notable Democrats, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigossa, billionaire Tom Steyer and more. There are also two Republicans running, Riverside County…

Podcast Episode 64: ICE Shootings + Minnesota Politics w/ Ryan Faircloth of Star Tribune

January 31, 2026 · 8:48 PM EST

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Ryan Faircloth of the Star Tribune analyze the impact of the surge of ICE agents and border patrol and two fatal shootings in the Twin Cities on key Minnesota races for governor, Senate and the House and talk about how previous political assassinations in the…

Report Shorts (January 22, 2026)

January 22, 2026 · 2:22 PM EST

California’s 1st District. The special election to replace the late-GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa will be August 4, the latest possible date that could be set by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in accordance with state law. It’s technically possible that a new member could get elected in the June 2 primary,…

Podcast Episode 63: 2026 Predictions with Jonathan Martin of Politico

January 15, 2026 · 2:22 PM EST

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Jonathan Martin of Politico make their bold predictions for 2026, covering the fight for the House, Senate, governors and the beginning of the 2028 presidential race. Jacob and Nathan also cover the can’t miss headlines and latest news in races in Alaska, Florida, Wyoming and…

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like … a Traditional Midterm Election

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2025 · 8:00 AM EST

The special election result in Tennessee’s 7th District is just the latest piece of evidence that, in spite of President Donald Trump’s reputation as a political savant, 2026 is beginning to look a lot like a traditional midterm. 

There's a perception that normal rules don't apply to Trump, who…

House & Governor Report Shorts (Nov. 20, 2025)

November 20, 2025 · 2:27 PM EST

California Governor. Billionaire Democratic donor Tom Steyer is running for governor. The 2020 presidential candidate joins a massive field of Democrats that also includes former Rep. Katie Porter, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Controller Betty Yee, former state Assemblyman Ian Calderon, state…

Report Shorts (Nov. 6, 2025)

November 6, 2025 · 2:28 PM EST

California’s 11th District. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 85, announced she won’t seek re-election to her San Francisco-anchored district. She’ll be replaced by a Democrat, it’s just not clear which one. Pelosi has been in the House for nearly 40 years, so there are a lot of local Democrats who…

12 Initial Takeaways from Tuesday’s Elections

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 5, 2025 · 1:46 PM EST

While it may take a few days, or even weeks, to properly digest the 2025 elections, the results are clear: Democrats won decisively. In races from New Jersey and Virginia to Georgia and California, there really wasn’t any ambiguity about who won and who lost. 

Even though votes are still…

Podcast Episode 57: Can Anyone Defeat Susan Collins? w/ Alex Seitz-Wald of Midcoast Villager

October 16, 2025 · 2:56 PM EDT

Nathan Gonzales, Jacob Rubashkin and Alex Seitz-Wald of The Midcoast Villager take a deep dive into Maine with a focus on the Democratic Senate primary between Gov. Janet Mills and oysterman Graham Platner before taking on Republican Susan Collins, a look at the 2nd District battle between Democratic Rep. Jared…

Arizona 1: Open Seat Shifts to Toss-up

by Nathan L. Gonzales October 1, 2025 · 10:49 PM EDT

One of the most competitive House races in the country has gotten a little more complicated with Republican Rep. David Schweikert announcing that he won’t seek re-election to Arizona’s 1st District. 

After winning by less than a point in 2022 and 4 points in 2024, Schweikert was near the…