Next Round

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the sudden departure from the governor's race of disgraced and now former Congressman Eric Swalwell following sexual assault allegations. They discuss why incidents of bad behavior and other rumors that are common knowledge in political and government circles often don't get media coverage. They analyze the impact of his departure on the race, and also the impact of the vote by California Republican Party delegates not to endorse a gubernatorial candidate.

Illinois Policy head of policy and communications expert Josh Bandoch joins us this week to discuss his new book How to Get What You Want. Tim and Matt discuss the communications challenges facing national and state leaders in some of our recent crisis such as the conflict in Iran and explore how conservatives can frame the policy debate to win in blue states. They also discuss the importance of free marketeers leaning into the debate over how to alleviate poverty and how communicating well can show that big government policies pushed in states like California and Illinois are the direct cause of the cost of living challenges faced by poor and working class Americans.

This week, Tim and Matt discuss the legislative and communications strategies surrounding the ongoing TSA funding dispute causing airport chaos, and the latest happenings in the California's governor race - including whether Republican candidates might finish first or second in the Top Two primary. Plus, they discuss rising gas prices triggered by the ongoing Iran conflict, and why legislative leaders are keeping secret details about how much the State Capitol rebuild is costing taxpayers.

From PRI's 2026 California Ideas in Action Conference, hear Free Cities Center director Steven Greenhut moderate a panel with some of the state's top policy insiders and elected officials exploring the ongoing challenges facing Californias insurance industry, which were exacerbated by last year's Southern California wildfires.

This week, we present another special episode in a series featuring highlights from PRI's recent California Ideas in Action conference. Free Cities Center director Steven Greenhut sits down with new U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Sacramento, Eric Grant. They discuss ongoing legal battles between the federal government and the state of California, crime, the Trump administration's legal priorities, and other issues.

From PRI's 2026 California Ideas in Action Conference, hear some of California's top journalists and opinion writers discuss the state of the California governor's race, and legacy of Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration. Moderated by attorney, political analyst and former reporter Melissa Caen, panelists include Marisa Lagos of KQED Radio, Politico's Lindsey Holden and Southern California News Group opinion editor Sal Rodriguez.

PRI senior fellow in business and economics Wayne Winegarden joins us this week to explore what the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Trump tariffs means for consumers, farmers, businesses and the economy.

In this special episode of Next Round, we present a recent talk from author, Manhattan Institute senior fellow and Wall Street Journal opinion columnist Jason Riley - delivered at a February PRI event in Pasadena. He talked about his latest book, The Affirmative Action Myth, and the ongoing debate over affirmative action in California and nationally.

This week, Tim and Matt talk about California's turn in the national spotlight hosting Super Bowl 60, including the controversy over the halftime entertainment and the huge California tax bill winning quarterback Sam Darnold faces. They also talk about the latest developments in the governor's race, the debate over the mileage tax at the State Capitol and California losing another billionaire due to the proposed wealth tax.

This week, we present a special recording of PRI's recent America 250 kickoff event in Los Angeles featuring a discussion of conservatism past, present, and future as we mark the semiquincentennial of the United States. Offering perspective are Claremont Review of Books editor Charles Kesler, Matt Continetti of the American Enterprise Institute, and PRI senior fellow and visiting professor at Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy, Steven Hayward.