Two Democratic Challengers Make the Case for Change ^60.1%

KQED - By Marisa Lagos, Scott Shafer, Guy Marzorati - 6/11/2026, 11:32 PM

Biased Writer Voice 34.3% - Framing Effect 24.3% - Negativity Bias 22.1%

The Democratic Party is still searching for a path forward after losses in the 2024 election. With the November midterms looming, Democrats are trying different strategies to win back the hearts and votes of the electorate. Do they focus on ideology, running more populist, progressive candidates? Or do they make the case that the party... more

Daniel Lurie’s Endorsements Are Dominating San Francisco’s Early Returns ^49.7%

KQED - By Scott Shafer, Marisa Lagos, Guy Marzorati, Sydney Johnson - 6/5/2026, 11:05 PM

Hasty Generalization 79.3% - Biased Writer Voice 41.3% - Confirmation Bias 38%

With primary week drawing to a close, San Francisco’s early returns suggest that two people not on the ballot have come out on top: Mayor Daniel Lurie and Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Scott, Marisa, Guy and KQED’s Sydney Johnson turn to the races and ballot measures in San Francisco, analyzing what the results so far tell us, even with nearly half... more

Governor's Race Enters the Final Stretch and Down-Ballot Races to Watch ^52.8%

KQED - By Scott Shafer, Marisa Lagos, Guy Marzorati - 5/29/2026, 11:30 PM

Framing Effect 72.7% - Confirmation Bias 28.6% - Availability Heuristic 28.6%

California’s unpredictable race for governor is in the final stretch. Scott, Marisa and Guy dissect the final polls as an unusually high number of Democratic voters have yet to return their ballots. Plus, they spotlight a few other down-ballot races worth watching before voting ends. For election information including our voter guide, go... more

Two Democrats Are Fighting for the Chance to Flip California’s Only Toss-Up House Race ^21.3%

KQED - By Marisa Lagos, Scott Shafer, Guy Marzorati - 5/28/2026, 11:35 PM

Biased Writer Voice 24.7% - Appeal to Emotion 15.6% - Framing Effect 14.5%

Democrats have long had their sights on Congressional District 22 in the Central Valley, where Republican Rep. David Valadao has managed to hold onto the Democratic-leaning district for most of the past 13 years. Cook Political Report lists it as the only toss-up House race in the state after last year’s redistricting measure flipped... more

Gubernatorial Candidate Katie Porter Fields Questions on Schools, Housing, Gas Prices at KQED Town Hall ^48.6%

KQED - By Scott Shafer - 5/9/2026, 12:00 PM

Halo Effect 51.1% - Biased Writer Voice 51.1% - Politically Left Leaning Bias 51.1%

Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter is aiming to make history as the first woman elected governor of California. She's known for flipping a House seat blue in 2018 and for grilling CEOs with her signature whiteboard. After leaving Congress to run for the U.S. Senate in 2024 and losing, Porter is back on the campaign trail, leaning... more

What the Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act Ruling Means for the 2026 Elections ^82.1%

KQED - By Scott Shafer, Marisa Lagos - 5/5/2026, 11:51 PM

The Supreme Court last week dealt a major blow to the Voting Rights Act, the 1965 landmark law long celebrated as the crown jewel of the civil rights era. In a 6-3 ruling along ideological lines, the conservative majority dismantled the remaining protections guaranteeing the equal opportunity for fair representation. Scott and Marisa... more

Did Anyone Break Through in The California Governor's Debate? ^53.3%

KQED - By Scott Shafer, Marisa Lagos, Guy Marzorati - 4/24/2026, 11:02 PM

Recency Bias 25.8% - Appeal to Authority 21.5% - Negativity Bias 18.3%

The leading candidates for California governor squared off this week in the first televised debate since East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell exited the race. Broadcast statewide on Nexstar stations, the showdown featured sharp attacks on the leading Democratic candidates, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and... more

California Governor Candidates Compete for Swalwell's Endorsements, Donors and Voters ^0%

KQED - By Scott Shafer, Marisa Lagos, Guy Marzorati - 4/17/2026, 11:35 PM

Framing Effect 50% - Biased Writer Voice 44.3% - Ambiguity (Equivocation) 40%

Now that Rep. Eric Swalwell has ended his campaign for governor, the remaining contenders are scrambling to scoop up his endorsements, donors and voters. Scott, Marisa and Guy assess which candidates stand to benefit the most from Swalwell’s departure and review how the candidates are re-introducing themselves to Californians. Check out... more

SF Chronicle Reporter on the Investigation That Ended Swalwell's Career ^0%

KQED - By Scott Shafer, Marisa Lagos - 4/14/2026, 11:47 PM

Appeal to Authority 43.4% - Biased Writer Voice 31.9% - Availability Heuristic 25.7%

When the San Francisco Chronicle published the story of a woman accusing Rep. Eric Swalwell of rape, his surging gubernatorial campaign collapsed within days. Swalwell still denies the most serious allegations but he has since resigned his House seat. Scott and Marisa talk to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Sophia Bollag, who broke the... more

How Swalwell's Campaign Collapsed and What's Next for the Governor's Race ^0%

KQED - By Scott Shafer, Marisa Lagos, Guy Marzorati - 4/14/2026, 12:04 AM

Framing Effect 70.3% - Biased Writer Voice 60.4% - Post Hoc (False Cause) 45.9%

Rep. Eric Swalwell announced his intent to resign from Congress today, a swift collapse for the East Bay Democrat who a week ago was a leading candidate for California governor. Swalwell's campaign imploded in a matter of days following sexual assault and misconduct allegations by a former staffer and three other women. He ended his... more