Guest:

Jon Fleischman - Founder, So Does It Matter?

Guest Bio:

Jon Fleischman is a longtime political strategist, founder of the influential conservative news sites FlashReport and So Does It Matter?, and former Executive Director and Vice Chair of the California Republican Party. A well-known commentator on California politics, Fleischman has deep insights into the inner workings of campaigns, ballot measures, and party dynamics — particularly from the conservative side of the aisle.

Show Summary

If Prop 50 passes, will it signal the end of fair representation in California? Jon Fleischman joins Jon Slavet for a candid conversation about what’s really at stake in the state’s redistricting fight. From backroom deals to public unions bankrolling legislation, Fleischman exposes the self-serving strategies behind the measure — and why it could silence voter choice.

He explains how California became a one-party state, what needs to change, and why both political sides need to wake up before it's too late. Whether you agree with him or not, this episode offers an important view on how democracy can erode — not overnight, but through single party rule and bad policy.

Chapters

00:00 – What Prop 50 Means for California

01:20 – The Fight Over Gerrymandering and Redistricting

04:00 – Lawfare, the Courts, and the DOJ’s Role

06:30 – Why the Ballot Campaign Is Just Beginning

08:45 – The Political Strategy Behind Both Sides

11:20 – The Dangers of Politicians Choosing Voters

13:00 – Flashback: How Lines Were Drawn in the Past

15:00 – How Public Unions Influence Redistricting

16:30 – Why Collective Bargaining May Be the Root Issue

18:20 – The $322 Billion Budget Question

20:00 – Inside Sacramento's Power Structure

22:00 – Why Political Competition Matters

23:30 – Rapid Fire: What Would Fix California

25:00 – What Still Gives Jon Hope

Mentioned in this Episode @ 18:30 (re California’s bloated budget)

https://www.sodoesitmatter.com/p/californias-budget-blunder-chasing?r=295f8&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

Connect with Jon Fleischman

Twitter: https://x.com/FlashReport

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-fleischman

Website: https://www.sodoesitmatter.com/

Website: https://www.flashreport.org/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:

Prosecutor & Redistricting Expert Matt Rexroad

Guest Bio:

Matt Rexroad is one of California’s leading experts on redistricting, gerrymandering, and political maps. A former Yolo County Supervisor and seasoned Republican strategist, he has advised on both local and statewide redistricting efforts. Rexroad’s voice has become central in unpacking Prop 50 — Governor Newsom’s controversial proposal to redraw congressional districts mid-decade, and its implications for representation, fairness, and democracy in the Golden State.

Show Summary

Is California’s redistricting process being hijacked for political gain? In this episode Matt Rexroad breaks down what’s really behind Proposition 50 — and why it could change the future of elections in California. He and Jon Slavet dive into the partisan tactics at play, how rural voices are being erased, and why “elephant-shaped districts” are raising eyebrows across the state. Rexroad also reflects on the history of California’s redistricting reforms, what courts are likely to do next, and why 2028 is the year that explains it all.

Chapters

00:00 – Matt Rexroad on Prop 50 & Political Weaponization

01:15 – The Problem with Mid-Decade Redistricting

03:00 – Why the New Maps Look Like Animal Cartoons

04:50 – How Gerrymandering Undermines Rural Voters

06:40 – Racial vs. Partisan Gerrymandering Explained

08:20 – Legal Challenges and What Comes Next

10:15 – What to Expect After the November Vote

11:30 – Advice for the “No on 50” Movement

12:45 – How This Era Compares to Past California Politics

14:00 – Rapid Fire: What Gives You Hope?

Connect with Matt

Twitter: https://x.com/MattRexroad

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexroad/

Website: https://rexroad.com/

Website: https://strategyinsightshq.com/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest

Rob Stutzman - Fmr. Schwarzenegger Director of Communications

Guest Bio

Rob Stutzman is a veteran California political strategist, communications expert, and founder of Stutzman Public Affairs. He served as Communications Director for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and has advised numerous political and corporate leaders across the state. Known for his sharp insight and nonpartisan approach, Rob brings a decades-long lens on what’s broken in California politics — and what needs to change.

Show Summary

Is Gavin Newsom’s Prop 50 campaign about saving democracy — or simply positioning for a 2028 presidential run? In this candid episode, Rob Stutzman breaks down California’s growing political dysfunction and the high-stakes fight over redistricting. With a veteran insider’s view, he exposes what Prop 50 really means, why independent commissions matter, and how careerism is shaping everything from Newsom’s pivot to affordability politics.

From broken climate policy to an affordability failure, Rob argues that California is wasting its promise — and only a bold realignment can restore balance. Whether you’re left, right, or independent, this episode challenges the political status quo.

Chapters

00:00 – The Prop 50 Power Grab Debate

01:15 – Why Newsom’s Record Is Hard to Defend

03:05 – Newsom’s Political Pivot: MAGA Podcasts to Democratic Savior

04:45 – What’s Really at Stake with Redistricting

06:10 – The Cost of Political Cynicism

07:45 – Independent Commissions vs. Political Self-Interest

09:15 – California’s Political Realignment

11:10 – Affordability Crisis: Still the #1 Issue

12:45 – Can Democrats Solve Affordability Before 2026?

14:00 – King for a Day: What Needs to Change

15:00 – Misconceptions About California Voters

16:00 – The Pendulum Is Starting to Swing

16:40 – California Is Wasting Itself

Connect with Rob

X: https://x.com/robstutzman

Website: https://stutzmanpa.com/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-stutzman-136bb85/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com