Politics Episodes

Corporate buyouts and downsizing have reduced budgets and staff in newsrooms across SoCal, leaving community issues underreported and community members less informed. But some independent journalists are stepping up to fill the void, including Manny Sandoval, owner, editor, and publisher of Inland Empire Community News. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Sandoval talks about IECN's community impact, his approach to covering news in a changing media landscape, the personal circumstances that led hi...

Serving as an effective state legislator in 2025 requires “next level” commitment and courage, as California finds itself targeted by what some political observers describe as the Trump administration’s retribution campaign. Despite this challenging political environment, State Assemblymember Corey Jackson of SoCal’s 60th assembly district is focused on leading with purpose and clarity. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Jackson shares how staying focused on what matters most builds resilience and...

Forty-million adults under 30 are eligible to vote in the November election. About eight million of them are first-time voters and they’re registering to vote in record numbers. While many young people between 18 - 30 say they intend to vote, some also say they are disillusioned by the binary nature of contemporary U.S. politics. How will young voters’ frustrations with the current system impact their vote in November? In this final installment of SoCal Voices’ young voter series, 19-year-old fi...

People under 30 are registering to vote in record numbers. The uptick is attributed in part to “the switch” when President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Endorsements from Taylor Swift and other celebrities have also inspired many young people to register to vote, prompting predictions that young voters will have a major impact on the outcome of the election this fall. With young millennials and Gen Z comprising one of...

The 2024 Presidential Election is underway and since President Joe Biden left the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic party’s nominee, young voters have responded to her candidacy with record breaking voter registrations, campaign volunteer signups and donations. Gen Z and young millennials make up one of the largest voting blocs this election cycle and could impact the results if they vote — and if they don’t. So what issues are young voters concerned about and h...

The 2024 Presidential Primary is underway in California and voters are navigating a range of issues as they make decisions on candidates and propositions. From debates about the age of the likely presidential candidates to the war in Gaza, voters have a lot to consider. How will they vote? In this episode of SoCal Voices, Keri Then, Area 5 Trustee for the Riverside Community College District, returns to the podcast to offer some insight on some of the current issues voters are considering, and s...

Midterm election day is just around the corner and as voters go to the polls, they have economic inflation, voter suppression, reduced access to abortion and candidate conduct on their minds. In this edition of SoCal Voices, Kim Moffat returns to discuss the upcoming elections, and the work she’s doing with We’re The People, a voter outreach and advocacy organization that aims to increase voter turnout nationwide and specifically among 18 - 24 year olds.

In this mid-term primary election season, voters have a lot on their minds, including the possible overturning of Roe v Wade, the war in Ukraine and public safety, following back-to-back-to-back mass shootings. How are voters feeling? Will they vote? What will they decide? In this special edition of SoCal Voices, Kim Moffat, host of the “Here’s What’s Happening” and “My America” podcasts, talks about the work she does to help get out the vote, and shares her thoughts on how recent events may inf...

In a special election on November 2, voters in the city of Moreno Valley’s second district will choose their next representative on the city council. Keri Then — a past Commissioner on the Riverside County Commission on Women and a former Chair and two-term appointee to the Moreno Valley Unified School District Measure M Citizens Bond Oversight Committee — is a candidate for this council seat. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Then discusses her candidacy and vision for Riverside County’s second ...

State Senator Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles is a candidate for the 2nd District seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She is known for her strong record of success in fighting for equity and social justice, and possesses an authenticity rarely seen in political leadership. On this edition of SoCal Voices, Senator Mitchell discusses her candidacy and what she hopes to accomplish if elected. Follow us on social media @socalvoices