California Underground: Your Sane Insight into California Politics

Newsom's former chief of staff just pleaded guilty to federal fraud — FBI wiretaps, a $225,000 scheme run through the frontrunner for governor's own campaign account — and Xavier Becerra still won't answer whether he knew. This week Phil and Camille break down everything Sacramento hoped you'd miss before the June 2nd primary.

In the first story, they walk through the guilty plea of Dana Williamson — Newsom's chief of staff from 2022 to 2024 — who conspired with Becerra's own chief of staff Sean McCluskie to drain $225,000 from Becerra's dormant campaign account. The investigation involved FBI wiretaps. Federal prosecutors originally came to Williamson seeking information about Newsom. And at the final governor's debate, Becerra still couldn't guarantee she couldn't connect him to the case.

Then: California Democrats built the jungle primary system. They benefited from it for years — two Democrats on the same Senate ballot in 2016, two Democrats again in 2018. Now that the system might lock them out of the November governor's race, they've filed an initiative to tear it down — and found Republican allies to help. Phil and Camille get into what ranked choice voting and other alternatives actually look like, and whether any electoral reform rushed through two weeks before a primary deserves to be taken seriously.

No team. No tribe. Just the receipts.

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📖 Phil is also writing a book — The Gilded State. Early signup at www.thegildedstate.com

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Karen Bass just pulled out of tonight's Los Angeles mayoral forum. The primary is in three weeks. The last debate she showed up to, 88% of viewers said Spencer Pratt won.

Tonight on California Underground, Phil is asking the question the incumbent doesn't want asked — and the one Sacramento doesn't have a good answer for either.

On the Los Angeles mayor's race: Pratt lost his home in the Palisades Fire and turned it into a campaign. He's polling second in a city that hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 2001, with 40% of voters still undecided and a primary on June 2nd. We break down the debate, the numbers, and what Bass skipping tonight's forum actually signals.

On California's gas crisis: the state confirmed four to six weeks of gasoline supply on hand. Three major refineries have closed in under a year — Phillips 66 Wilmington, Valero Benicia, PBF Martinez — removing 18% of total refining capacity. California has no pipeline connections to other states and imports 20% of its gasoline from overseas. Average price at the pump: $6.13 a gallon. The Iran war closed the Strait of Hormuz and exposed a supply chain California spent years making fragile.

Both stories. One show. Every week.

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Phil is writing a book about California — sign up for early updates at www.thegildedstate.com

California's Attorney General race is four weeks from a primary — and most voters don't know what the office actually does.

In this episode, we sit down with Republican candidate Michael Gates, the former Huntington Beach City Attorney who spent a decade battling Sacramento in court and is now running to replace Rob Bonta as California's top law enforcement officer.

Gates made his name as an elected city attorney — not appointed, elected — who launched a criminal prosecution program that drove downtown crime down 11.5%, claimed a 60% reduction in homelessness on his watch, and won a $38 million court verdict against the State of California. He then joined the Trump DOJ as Deputy Assistant Attorney General before returning to run statewide.

We ask the questions every frustrated Californian should be asking: What has the AG's office actually been doing on fraud, fentanyl, and government accountability? Where has enforcement been missing?

California Underground airs every Tuesday at 8PM PST on YouTube.

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📌 Sources:

• CalMatters — 2026 AG Race Voter Guide: https://calmatters.org/california-voter-guide-2026/attorney-general/
• Ballotpedia — Michael Gates: https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Gates_(California)
• Gates Campaign Site: https://www.gates4ag.com/
• AgNet West Interview (April 28, 2026): https://agnetwest.com/michael-gates-california-attorney-general-fraud-reform/
• LAist — DOJ Departure Story: https://laist.com/news/huntington-beachs-michael-gates-produces-letter-he-says-confirms-he-resigned-from-doj

Are you a Californian who feels isolated and alone in your political views in a deep blue state? Feel like you can’t talk about insane taxes, an overbearing government, and radical social experiments without getting a side eye? Then join us on the California Underground Podcast, the most trusted podcast on all things California politics.

Original air date  5.5.26

*The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.*

Check out our full site for more information about the show at www.californiaunderground.live

Join the Members Only California Underground Telegram —>  https://im.page/7c0306da 

For more in depth California political news coverage, make sure to subscribe to our Substack at https://caunderground.substack.com 

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A California man is charged with attempting to assassinate the President of the United States — and his own family had already raised concerns with local police before he boarded a train to Washington DC.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, rushed a Secret Service checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. He was charged Monday with attempted assassination of the President. He passed every California background check. He bought his guns legally. His family tried to sound the alarm.

California has red flag laws specifically designed for situations like this. Tonight we ask whether the system worked — and what Californians deserve to know.

Then: six candidates debated for Governor of California last week. We pull the clips worth watching — who gave Newsom an A on homelessness, who said "you hear rumors" when asked about a colleague accused of assault, and where the race actually stands six weeks before the June 2 primary.

Are you a Californian who feels isolated and alone in your political views in a deep blue state? Feel like you can’t talk about insane taxes, an overbearing government, and radical social experiments without getting a side eye? Then join us on the California Underground Podcast, the most trusted podcast on all things California politics.

Original air date  4.28.26

*The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.*

Check out our full site for more information about the show at www.californiaunderground.live

Join the Members Only California Underground Telegram —>  https://im.page/7c0306da 

For more in depth California political news coverage, make sure to subscribe to our Substack at https://caunderground.substack.com 

Check out our sponsor for this episode, StopBox, by going to www.stopbox.com/californiaunderground to get 10% off your order

Follow California Underground on Social Media  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/californiaunderground 

X: https://twitter.com/CAUndergound

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8SabIcF4AKqEVFsLmo1jA 

Read about our Privacy Policy: https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/privacy-policy/ 

Two new polls on the California governor's race are telling completely different stories. Betty Yee just dropped out and said "conflict sells" on her way out the door. LA County cut homeless outreach in half while spending $843 million. And Gavin Newsom's PAC spent $1.56 million buying two-thirds of his own memoir — then his team called the sales "organic."

Story 1 — The Governor's RaceBetty Yee out. Becerra surging from 4% to as high as 23% depending on the poll. Two Republicans still leading in the party's own internal numbers. Debate is tomorrow night. Six weeks to the primary.

Story 2 — LA County Homelessness$843M budget. Street outreach cut from $54M to $26M. California has spent $24 billion on homelessness since 2019. The population grew by 30,000. A State Auditor report found $9.4 billion couldn't even be evaluated — no outcomes tracked.

Story 3 — Newsom's "Bestseller"FEC filings show his PAC bought 67,000 of 97,400 total print copies. Strip those out: 30,400 organic sales. The New York Times put a dagger on the listing. His team called it "organic." The filing says otherwise.

Sources

• Betty Yee exit: https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/04/california-governor-race-yee/
• CA Dem Party poll: https://www.abc10.com/article/news/politics/california-governor-race-poll-hilton-bianco-lead-becerra-gains-support/103-1bf606df-6054-4be9-b9c2-68eafada61dc
• IVP poll: https://ivn.us/posts/breaking-xavier-becerra-bolts-into-first-place-in-ivn-california-governor-poll-2026-04-20
• LA homelessness budget: https://www.fox11la.com/news/la-county-homelessness-budget-outreach-cut-2026
• CA State Auditor: https://www.auditor.ca.gov/reports/homelessness
• Newsom PAC book — NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/us/politics/newsom-pac-book-sales.html
• FEC filing summary: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/newsom-pac-bought-thousands-memoir-copies

California Underground airs every Tuesday at 8PM PST on YouTube.

Hold onto your seats, Californians — this week’s political rollercoaster could change the future of the Golden State forever. From a scandal that toppled a Congressman's career in just four days to the California GOP's confusing endorsement process, Phil and Camille break down the shocking details that every Californian must know. Plus, what does the chaos mean for the upcoming primary and the entire political landscape? Tune in for all the jaw-dropping revelations.

In this episode:

• The rapid downfall of Eric Swalwell in just four days — the full timeline and shocking allegations
• The importance of social media and press conferences in shaping political scandals
• What the California GOP's decision not to endorse any candidate means for the race
• The impact of Swalwell’s scandals on the 2024 gubernatorial race
• How California’s voting laws and low information voters influence the outcome
• The behind-the-scenes process of party endorsements and delegate voting explained
• The potential for a Republican red wave in California amid chaos on the Democratic side
• The bizarre history of California GOP primaries and endorsements, including Travis Allen and John Cox
• The implications for California’s political future if two Republicans make it to the general election
• The desperate Democrat plans and possible shifts to a Kamala Harris write-in strategy
• How scandals and internal chaos could finally push California into a new political era

Resources & Links

• Eric Swalwell Allegations San Francisco Chronicle
• California GOP Convention Process
• California Primary Election Dates
• The House of Cards Netflix Series
• Katie Porter Controversies
• California Proposition 50 — Voter ID Law

Connect with the Hosts

• Phil - Twitter
• Camille - Twitter

Timestamps:

00:00 - The shocking four-day career collapse of Eric Swalwell
02:08 - Social media’s role in outrage and breaking news
04:43 - Allegations: Swalwell’s sexual misconduct and investigative details
07:43 - Corroborated evidence and legal responses
11:16 - Public reactions and victim advocacy—timing and victimories
14:03 - The press conference with a disturbing eyewitness account
17:58 - The disturbing allegations paint a picture of political rot
21:18 - The possible influence on the California governor race
25:44 - GOP delegate process and what it means for endorsements
30:26 - Inside California GOP convention voting practices
36:55 - The chaos causing Democrats to consider radical options like Harris write-ins
41:08 - How voter support could fracture and change the California political landscape
44:50 - The desperate Democrat strategy and fear of a Republican sweep
50:17 - Past primary campaigns and what history teaches us
58:25 - The potential for California to become more red—what’s at stake
66:26 - The influence of party endorsements and low-information voters
70:39 - How political chaos might finally shake up California’s one-party rule
75:59 - The outrageous end: Swalwell’s farewell and the real story behind the scandals

This week’s scandal and political upheaval could signal a turning point—a chance for Californians to push back against long-standing one-party dominance. Whether this chaos ushers in reform or chaos remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: California is no longer boring politics—it’s explosive, urgent, and truthfully shocking. Stay tuned, share this episode, and keep your eyes open—you won’t want to miss what’s coming next.

With California's primaries just around the corner, a seismic shift is happening — and many Californians are either clueless or in denial. The recent endorsement of Steve Hilton by Donald Trump has turned the political rumor mill into a full-blown circus, threatening to upend the state's already fragile political landscape. If the Trump endorsement was meant to sway the race, it might just be fueling a chaos that could curse or empower Californians' future.

In this episode:

• The impact of Trump endorsing Steve Hilton and how it could reshape the Republican primary race.
• Why California's usual politics are being challenged by fresh, outsider candidates like Hilton and Bianco.
• The possibility of a Democrat boycott or continued stagnation as the party struggles with internal divisions.
• Predictions on whether California is heading toward a political upheaval or a return to “business as usual.”
• Critical issues like ballot harvesting, homelessness, and voter trust—none of which are being adequately tackled by the candidates.
• How elites and billionaire tech moguls are pushing for socialist policies and what that could mean for a state long used to political dynasties.

Connect:

• California Underground
• Kyle Campbell - Politically Basic Twitter
• Susan Collins - Instagram

• Kyle Campbell: Twitter
• Susan Collins: Instagram

Timestamps:00:00 - California Primary Chaos: What's Really at Stake?02:15 - Trump's Endorsement: Blessing or Curse for California Politics?05:00 - The Fall of Gavin Newsom’s Political Dynasty07:30 - Are the Democrats Running Out of Options?09:50 - How the Republican Field Could Be Swayed by Trump’s Backing12:10 - Voter Attitudes: The Real Issues They Care About15:45 - The Threat of Socialism and Tech Billionaire Influence18:00 - Who Should California Be Putting Forward?21:30 - The Growing Power of Independent Voters and Third Parties24:45 - Future Scenarios: What If Swallow or Porter Win?28:00 - The Power of Local Elections and Why They Matter31:20 - Will California Break Its Political Mold?34:00 - The Deeper Problems: Public Safety, Homelessness, and Education37:00 - The Future of Republican and Democrat Parties in the Golden State40:30 - Wrap-up: What Can Californians Do Now?

This episode reveals the shocking realities behind California's politically shaky ground, highlighting mismanagement, voter disenfranchisement, and the looming threat of radical policies. If you think your vote doesn't matter or that California's politics are just a game, think again. The chaos we discuss could shape the state's future — perhaps even its survival.

California has spent $24 billion on homelessness. It got worse. Gas prices are the highest in the country. And in 2026, nobody knows who's going to be the next Governor. Tonight we sit down with Libertarian candidate Tom Woodard — and ask the questions Sacramento won't.

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This week on California Underground, Phil and Camille sit down with Tom Woodard — Libertarian candidate for California Governor 2026. Tom is an entrepreneur, conservationist, and business executive with 40+ years of experience building organizations, creating jobs, and solving complex problems across the U.S. and Mexico. He's also a father who lost a son to addiction and homelessness — and he's running on the belief that California's two-party system has had its chance and blown it.

In this episode:

🔹 The cost of living crisis — Why California gas prices and electricity rates are among the highest in the nation, what state mandates are driving the cost, and what a governor can actually do about it on Day 1.

🔹 Homelessness — $24 billion spent. The problem got worse. Tom shares his personal story, challenges the "Housing First" model, and lays out what a different approach looks like in practice.

🔹 The 2026 race — Newsom is term-limited, the Democratic field is fragmented, and for the first time in decades California's governor's race is genuinely uncertain. We ask Tom the hard questions: Is he running to win or running to move the conversation? And what's his pitch to voters who've never considered a third-party candidate?

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📌 LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Tom Woodard campaign site: https://www.woodardforgovernor2026.com/

• Tom on X: https://x.com/woodard2026

• Tom on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodardforgovernor2026/

• Ballotpedia — 2026 California Governor's Race: https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Woodard

• California State Auditor — Homelessness Spending Report: https://www.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2021-112/index.html

• CalMatters Homelessness Tracker: https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/

• California Air Resources Board — Cap and Trade Program: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/cap-and-trade-program

• 2026 California Gubernatorial Election Overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_California_gubernatorial_election

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📺 California Underground airs LIVE every Tuesday at 8PM PST on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — we read them.

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#CaliforniaUnderground #California #CaliforniaPolitics #Governor2026 #TomWoodard #Libertarian #CaliforniaHomelessness #CostOfLiving

Hollywood’s Golden Era is not just fading — it’s decaying in front of our eyes. Once the shining jewel of California’s economy and culture, the film industry is now a ghost town, abandoned by studios that chase greener pastures elsewhere.

Production hubs have shifted out of state, and the iconic Hollywood lots sit eerily silent — relics of a once-thriving empire that now resembles a ghost town.

But what caused this collapse? And why is California so aggressively handing its Hollywood crown to other states and countries?

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with veteran screenwriter and producer Jim Agnew — a behind-the-scenes insider who's seen Hollywood's decline firsthand. Jim shares shocking stories about how California’s outdated policies, suffocating union costs, and ridiculous bureaucratic hurdles are bleeding the industry dry.

He reveals how neighboring states like Georgia and Kentucky are swooping in with 30% cash rebates, making it cheaper to shoot blockbuster films out of state, even when you’re based in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, California’s own incentives are a patchwork system that discourages production, strangled by bureaucracy and bad policy.

You'll discover:

• The real reasons Hollywood’s glamor is disappearing — and how political correctness and cultural shifts accelerated the decline.
• Why even major stars and studios are fleeing California for business-friendly states with better tax breaks.
• How outdated incentives and union costs push production companies abroad, costing thousands of local jobs.
• The impact of streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+ on California’s once-booming industry — and how their shift to global locations leaves California in the dust.
• Why California’s tax incentives are a joke compared to other states’ models, and how that’s actively killing the industry here.
• The hidden consequences of Hollywood’s decline — from local economies suffering to California losing its cultural influence.

Are you a Californian who feels isolated and alone in your political views in a deep blue state? Feel like you can’t talk about insane taxes, an overbearing government, and radical social experiments without getting a side eye? Then join us on the California Underground Podcast, the most trusted podcast on all things California politics.

Original air date  3.24.26

*The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.*

Check out our full site for more information about the show at www.californiaunderground.live

Join the Members Only California Underground Telegram —>  https://im.page/7c0306da 

For more in depth California political news coverage, make sure to subscribe to our Substack at https://caunderground.substack.com 

Check out our sponsor for this episode, StopBox, by going to www.stopbox.com/californiaunderground to get 10% off your order

Follow California Underground on Social Media  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/californiaunderground 

X: https://twitter.com/CAUndergound

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8SabIcF4AKqEVFsLmo1jA 

In this episode of California Underground, we reveal shocking truths about billions lost in hospice care fraud, rising gas prices driven by political power plays, and California's ongoing budget crisis impacting education and public services. Californians deserve to know how mismanagement, corruption, and politicized decisions are shaping their daily lives.

In this episode:

• Billions of dollars are being siphoned through hospice care fraud, with California leading the nation in billions lost to scam providers.
• Trump’s recent order to reopen the offshore Sable pipeline amid legal battles and environmental concerns.
• The real reasons behind California's skyrocketing gas prices, including refinery closures and political blame game.
• Thousands of teachers and school employees face layoffs due to declining enrollment and misallocated COVID relief funds.
• The state’s chronic budget mismanagement, inflated claims of job creation, and the push for a complete government overhaul.

Resources:

• Billions in hospice fraud uncovered by CBS News
• Trump reopens Santa Barbara offshore oil pipeline - Forbes
• California gas prices surge - LA Times
• Gavin Newsom’s COVID relief funding and budget mismanagement — California Budget Report
• California underground news channel

This show advocates for informed, independent thinking—no political endorsements here.

If you’re interested in local governance and policy, join our Telegram community to discuss these issues more deeply: Telegram Link

Timestamps:

00:00 - California hospice fraud scandal: billions lost to fake providers
01:15 - The offshore pipeline reopening: Trump’s push vs California regulators
02:44 - Rising gas prices: How policies and geopolitics collide in California
04:20 - The truth about refinery shutdowns and environmental concerns
05:54 - California’s education crisis: Thousands of jobs on the line amid budget cuts
07:32 - The deep-rooted government mismanagement and taxpayer betrayal
09:00 - Why California’s “progressive” policies are failing its people
10:36 - The call for a government reset: Burn it down and rebuild
12:00 - Local government’s role and the importance of community-level reforms
13:45 - Public resistance to taxes and government waste: The frustration boils over
15:20 - Gavin Newsom’s political ambitions and the strange dynamics within California politics
17:00 - The importance of local elections: city councils, school boards, and more
18:50 - California's potential for greatness: What’s holding us back?
20:00 - The danger of overcentralizing power: Why executive decisions can go wrong
21:45 - The real impact of federal relief funds and California’s financial deception
23:30 - The urgency of informed voting and primary elections
25:00 - The need to start from scratch: Rebuilding California, one step at a time

Are you a Californian who feels isolated and alone in your political views in a deep blue state? Feel like you can’t talk about insane taxes, an overbearing government, and radical social experiments without getting a side eye? Then join us on the California Underground Podcast, the most trusted podcast on all things California politics.

Original air date  3.17.26

*The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.*

Check out our full site for more information about the show at www.californiaunderground.live

Join the Members Only California Underground Telegram —>  https://im.page/7c0306da 

For more in depth California political news coverage, make sure to subscribe to our Substack at https://caunderground.substack.com 

Check out our sponsor for this episode, StopBox, by going to www.stopbox.com/californiaunderground to get 10% off your order

Follow California Underground on Social Media  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/californiaunderground 

X: https://twitter.com/CAUndergound

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@californiaunderground?_t=8o6HWHcJ1CM&_r=1