A controversy is erupting over an upcoming California gubernatorial debate hosted by USC and broadcast by ABC7 Los Angeles and Univision.

Debate organizers limited the stage to six candidates using a formula based on polling and fundraising. But the outcome immediately triggered accusations of bias after several candidates of color were excluded from the debate lineup.

In this episode, Jon Fleischman breaks down the numbers behind the decision — including the latest Public Policy Institute of California poll and the fundraising criteria used to determine who qualified.

Jon also examines the criticism from candidates like Xavier Becerra and Antonio Villaraigosa, who argue the process unfairly excluded them, and looks at whether those claims hold up when you examine the data.

Finally, Jon recalls a similar moment from the 2016 presidential primary, when a crowded Republican field forced debate organizers to split candidates into two separate debates.

Is this a real controversy — or just campaign politics in a crowded governor’s race?

All California politics. All the time.

Gas prices are rising across the United States, but California drivers consistently pay far more than the rest of the country.

As of the time this video was recorded, AAA reports that the average price of regular gasoline in California is $5.41 per gallon, compared to a national average of $3.63. That’s nearly $1.80 more per gallon — meaning a typical fill-up costs Californians about $25 to $30 more than drivers in most of the country.

Global events like the conflict involving Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz can affect oil prices worldwide. But those global forces don’t explain why California drivers consistently face the highest prices at the pump.

In this episode, Jon Fleischman breaks down the policy choices that energy analysts say create the “California premium” on gasoline — including California’s special gasoline blend requirements, regulations imposed by the California Air Resources Board, shrinking refinery capacity, the state’s cap-and-invest carbon program, and some of the highest gasoline taxes in America.

Stack those policies together, and the result is predictable: Californians pay more.

Get a lot more at www.SoDoesItMatter.com!

Here is a tight, professional description for Transistor (shorter than Substack, optimized for podcast apps):

Today, Jon takes a closer look at the latest public opinion polling shaping the California governor’s race — including two newly released surveys from UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center (in partnership with Politico) and Emerson College.

Jon breaks down what the numbers show, what changed from Emerson’s previous poll, and why the growing number of undecided voters suggests the race is still wide open. He also discusses several important caveats about the polling — including questions about methodology, the use of AI in survey research, and the fact that neither poll appears to include ballot designations for candidates.

Finally, Jon looks at new national numbers from the latest NBC News survey showing both Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris underwater with the national electorate.

A quick look at what the polls say — and what they don’t.

Source Materials

Politico: Poll: Hilton’s rise could spare Dems from disaster in California gov’s race - LINK

Emerson College Polling: California 2026 Poll: Swalwell Takes Lead in Governor Primary, 25% undecided; Election for LA Mayor Wide Open - LINK

And from Decision Desk: LINK