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In this episode, Brian and John welcome back a fellow Glendale native and political data expert, Paul Mitchell of Political Data Incorporated and Redistricting Partners. Paul helped draw the maps approved by California voters under Proposition 50 in 2024 and he's here to explain what those new lines actually mean for 2026, which congressional seats are now in play, and why California's retaliatory redistricting against Texas may have been more surgical and more principled than critics want to admit.

The brothers and Paul take a nostalgic detour through Glendale's political transformation — from a predominantly white Republican stronghold with a dark history, to the diverse, urban, Democratic-leaning city it is today — tracing the arc from Congressmen Carlos Moorhead and Jim Rogan through Scott Wildman, Jack Scott, and Adam Schiff. It's a microcosm, Brian argues, for what happened to California as a whole.

Then it's back to the race everybody's watching: the governor's primary. With Swalwell's departure still fresh, Paul breaks down the math of the jungle primary, the real risk of two Republicans making the runoff, and why the Democrat who wins may simply be the one who pays their PDI bills the fastest.

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To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
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In this episode, Brian and John react to the stunning collapse of Eric Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign and ask the question nobody in Sacramento wants to answer: how did someone with that reputation get so far, so fast? They dig into the polls, the endorsements, and the money that propped him up, and debate whether his exit reshapes the Democratic field or just reshuffles the same crowded deck.

The brothers then turn to the two leading Republicans — Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco — and what Trump's endorsement of Hilton actually means for the jungle primary. Brian thinks it may have handed Democrats a lifeline. John isn't so sure. They size up the Democratic contenders still standing: Steyer, Porter, Mahan, Becerra, and each makes their prediction for who actually makes it out of June alive.

With time running short, they race through the down-ticket constitutional offices, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, AG — before landing on the race they're both most fired up about: Insurance Commissioner. With the Palisades and Eaton fires still fresh, they lay out why the current commissioner may be the worst in state history, and why the Bradford vs. Allen matchup deserves its own episode.

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To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
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In this episode, Brian and John wade into the chaos of California's 2026 governor's race, and it's wilder than anyone expected. With eight Democrats splitting the vote and two Republicans quietly gaining ground, the brothers break down exactly how a jungle primary could hand the governor's office to a party that hasn't held it in decades. They profile the two Republican contenders, Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County and British-born Fox commentator Steve Hilton, weighing their records, their liabilities, and their realistic odds in a state where Trump's disapproval sits at 68%.

The conversation turns to the crowded Democratic field, the party's reluctance to consolidate around a frontrunner, and whether Tom Steyer's $80 million ad blitz is helping Democrats — or accidentally clearing a path for the GOP. And as the federal government enters its sixth week of shutdown, Brian and John clash over the standoff at the Department of Homeland Security: ICE enforcement, administrative versus judicial warrants, TSA security gaps, and whether both parties are letting playground politics put the country at risk.

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To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
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In this episode, Brian and John dive headfirst into the political aftermath of Trump's State of the Union — the longest in American history — unpacking what it revealed about the state of both parties heading into 2026. They clash, loudly, over voter ID laws and whether requiring identification at the polls is a common-sense safeguard or a deliberate effort to disenfranchise communities of color and low-income voters. Neither brother backs down.

The conversation shifts to the California Democratic Party's endorsing convention, where aging incumbents and party insiders dominated, leaving progressive and younger voices asking whether the party is capable of reinventing itself. The brothers debate whether a crowded field of Democratic candidates risks splitting the vote and handing Republicans an opening in down-ticket races across the state.

They also take on tariffs and the Supreme Court ruling that called them an unconstitutional end-run around Congress, before turning to Gavin Newsom's national book tour, his controversial remarks before an Atlanta audience, and whether his presidential ambitions are a liability or an inevitability. Spoiler: the brothers don't agree on that either.

If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

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In this episode, Brian and John break down California’s ballot initiative process — how it was designed, how it actually functions today, and why it has become increasingly inaccessible to ordinary citizens. Using real-world examples, historical context, and firsthand experience, they explain the true cost, complexity, and political leverage behind qualifying initiatives, from signature gathering to campaign spending.

The brothers explore the 2014 reforms that allow qualified measures to be withdrawn, the role of negotiations behind the scenes, and why the initiative process now favors those with deep pockets. They also walk through the current 2026 ballot timeline, highlight measures already qualified by the legislature, and reflect on whether meaningful reform is possible in a system shaped by money, consultants, and campaign finance realities.

If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
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In this episode, Brian and John take on one of the most polarizing issues in California politics and law: so-called “lawsuit abuse.” From ADA claims and damage caps to PAGA reform and court funding, the brothers debate where the system works, where it breaks down, and who actually gets hurt along the way.

They explore the tension between protecting civil rights and preventing bad-faith shakedowns, why not all violations — or lawsuits — are created equal, and how recent bipartisan efforts in Sacramento are attempting to strike a fair balance. Along the way, Brian calls out bad actors within the legal profession, John shares real-world examples from small business owners, and both agree that justice only works when access, accountability, and common sense coexist.

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To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
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In this special episode of Kabatalks, Brian and John are joined by longtime political strategist and USC professor Dan Schnur for a wide-ranging conversation on California as the proving ground for national political ambition. From crime and public safety to wildfires, affordability, and governance, the group discusses why California’s unresolved challenges are increasingly shaping how voters judge leadership, both inside the state and across the country.

They explore the growing gap between political messaging and real-world results, the risks facing elected officials with national aspirations, and what accountability looks like in a political environment with little margin for error. With Schnur’s insider perspective, the conversation digs deeper into how California’s successes and failures now carry consequences far beyond the state. And we're even given a little taste of Schnur's favorite - and not so favorite - holiday food items!

If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

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In this episode, Brian and John break down Proposition 36 — what it changes, why voters backed it, and the growing fight over how to fund it. They tackle the core debates around public safety, rehabilitation, and whether the measure deepens existing disparities in California’s justice system.

The conversation then turns to the rapidly expanding 2026 governor’s race, from early frontrunners like Antonio Villaraigosa and Katie Porter to the challenges facing billionaire candidates and the ripple effects of national politics. To close, the brothers each share one Trump policy they support and one they strongly oppose, offering a sharp but thoughtful exchange heading into Thanksgiving week.

If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law

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In this episode, the guys dive into the fallout from Election Night — starting with Proposition 50 in California and what its passage means for redistricting, representation, and the balance of political power. They get into the messaging wars, the motivations of voters on both sides, and why the redistricting conversation has become a proxy battle for the national political identity crisis.

They also take a broader look at key Governor’s races and the New York mayoral shake-up, discussing what these outcomes could mean heading into the 2026 and 2028 election cycles. And in a thoughtful moment, Brian and John reflect on the legacy of former Vice President Dick Cheney following his passing, and what patriotism, service, and conviction look like in politics today.

If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
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In this episode, the guys sit down with California Assemblymember John Harabedian to talk about his path from prosecutor to public servant and the issues shaping Sacramento today. They dig into his legislative priorities, from tackling homelessness and housing affordability to strengthening consumer protections and safeguarding voting rights. 

They also get into the political dynamics of California’s Assembly, the balance between local and statewide interests, and how younger lawmakers are approaching public service in a changing political climate. And in a lighter twist, listeners get a glimpse into John’s personal life — like the time Assemblymember Harabedian went to Warped Tour. 

If you enjoy hearing what we have to say, albeit somewhat irreverent and rarely do we agree, please subscribe or follow and us and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
To learn more about John Kabateck's firm visit Kabateck Strategies
To learn more about Brian's firm visit KBK Law