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Top Democratic Strategists Break Down Ads from the California Governor’s Race

May 18, 2026

Summary

Dan Pfeiffer and strategist Adisu Demissey analyze the California gubernatorial primary, reviewing campaign ads from Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Javier Becerra. They discuss Porter’s attempt to address past controversies, Steyer’s struggle as a self-funded candidate, and Becerra’s sudden surge to the lead. The conversation highlights the difficulty of building name recognition in California’s fragmented media landscape and questions whether voter apathy will solidify the current polling standings.

Topics discussed

Intro: California Governor Race Overview Katie Porter Ad Analysis and Strategy Tom Steyer's Populist Messaging and Self-Funding Sponsor Break: Newsletter Promotion Javier Becerra's Surge and Ad Quality The Challenge of Name Recognition in California Race Outlook: Becerra vs. Hilton and Voter Fatigue
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