Keys To The Househttps://capradio.org/images/logo/CapRadio_logo_STACKED_RGB_1400SQ.jpgCapRadio: Keys To The Househttps://www.capradio.orghttps://www.capradio.org/California Congressional seats that were solidly Republican are suddenly up for grabs. Capital Public Radio's Keys to the House follows the battleground races and themes that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives.California Congressional seats that were solidly Republican are suddenly up for grabs. Capital Public Radio's Keys to the House follows the battleground races and themes that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives.Mon, 04 May 2026 17:03:00 GMTen-USCopyright 2026, CapRadioCPR RSS Generator 2.0120noCapRadioCalifornia Congressional seats that were solidly Republican are suddenly up for grabs. Capital Public Radio's Keys to the House follows the battleground races and themes that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives.webmaster@capradio.orgCapRadio'Statistically Impossible'?On election night, few saw this result coming: Democrats managed to flip all seven California House seats they were targeting. In our final episode of Keys To The House, we discuss how this happened and what it means for the state’s two major partiesIt seemed on election night that Democrats in California were going to flip perhaps a couple of the seven Republican-held seats they were targeting in the House of Representatives. Three weeks later, the Democrats have flipped all seven — not only turning all of Orange County blue, but also two seats in the Central Valley. In our final Keys To The House episode, Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler talks with political experts about how this happened and what this means for California’s two major political parties.

Guests:

Mike Madrid, principal, GrassrootsLab
@madrid_mike

Paul Mitchell, vice president, Political Data Inc.
@paulmitche11

]]>https://www.capradio.org/127186Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:51:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/127186noOn election night, few saw this result coming: Democrats managed to flip all seven California House seats they were targeting. In our final episode of Keys To The House, we discuss how this happened and what it means for the state’s two major partiesOn election night, few saw this result coming: Democrats managed to flip all seven California House seats they were targeting. In our final episode of Keys To The House, we discuss how this happened and what it means for the state’s two major partieswebmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioSo What The Heck Just Happened?The Keys to the House are now held by the Democrats. But here in California, four of the state’s battleground congressional races remain too close to call. On this episode: What happened in Tuesday’s midterms, why did it happen, and what comes next?

Democrats now hold the Keys to the House, but many California races still hang in the balance. In this week’s episode, we discuss what the heck just happened in Tuesday’s midterm election. Did we see a ‘blue wave’ in California? What do the results say about California’s politics?

Capital Public Radio’s Ben Adler talks with political data analyst Paul Mitchell and Los Angeles Times Politics Reporter Christine Mai-Duc about Democratic enthusiasm, Republican motivation and all the races that are still too close to call.

Guests:

Christine Mai-Duc
Political Reporter
LA Times
@cmaiduc

Paul Mitchell
Vice President
Political Data, Inc.
@paulmitche11

]]>https://www.capradio.org/125908Fri, 09 Nov 2018 23:54:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/125908noThe Keys to the House are now held by the Democrats. But here in California, four of the state’s battleground congressional races remain too close to call. On this episode: What happened in Tuesday’s midterms, why did it happen, and what comes next?The Keys to the House are now held by the Democrats. But here in California, four of the state’s battleground congressional races remain too close to call. On this episode: What happened in Tuesday’s midterms, why did it happen, and what comes next?webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioThe O.C., Part 2: Rebellious RepublicansDemocrats think they can win California congressional seats long held by Republicans. In this episode, we explore what it would take.By Ben Adler

For Democrats to win California’s battleground congressional races, turning out their own voters won’t be enough. They’ll also have to convince Republicans disgusted with the president to kick their party out of power. In this episode, CapRadio’s Ben Adler speaks with Orange County voters who show the challenges and opportunities facing Democrats in Tuesday’s midterms.

]]>https://www.capradio.org/125349Thu, 01 Nov 2018 00:28:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/125349noDemocrats think they can win California congressional seats long held by Republicans. In this episode, we explore what it would take.Democrats think they can win California congressional seats long held by Republicans. In this episode, we explore what it would take.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioThe O.C., Part 1: Diverse DemocratsOrange County has long been a Republican stronghold, but the region is changing. Its growing diversity could boost Democratic efforts to win the House of Representatives — but only if more Latinos and Asians vote.By Ben Adler

Republicans have historically been more likely to vote than Democrats — especially in midterm elections. And in the battleground congressional districts of California’s Orange County, there are simply more of them. But the region is becoming more diverse, and younger. Both factors could help Democrats — if they can convince people who don’t usually cast ballots to give it a try this year.

]]>https://www.capradio.org/125220Tue, 30 Oct 2018 01:22:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/125220noOrange County has long been a Republican stronghold, but the region is changing. Its growing diversity could boost Democratic efforts to win the House of Representatives — but only if more Latinos and Asians vote.Orange County has long been a Republican stronghold, but the region is changing. Its growing diversity could boost Democratic efforts to win the House of Representatives — but only if more Latinos and Asians vote.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioIn Play Or Wishful Thinking?Which California congressional seats should Republicans truly be worrying about losing with control of the House of Representatives at stake in the November election — and which ones are probably just wishful thinking for Democrats?Which California congressional seats should Republicans truly be worrying about losing with control of the House of Representatives at stake in the November election — and which ones are probably just wishful thinking for Democrats?

Host Ben Adler gets the national view from NPR's lead political editor, Domenico Montanaro, and the California perspective from Paul Mitchell, Vice President of Political Data, Inc. They’ll also discuss Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, California’s gas tax ballot measure, and other factors that might — or might not — determine which voters actually turn out.

Guests

Domenico Montanaro, lead politics editor, NPR
@DomenicoNPR 

Paul Mitchell, vice president, Political Data Inc.
@paulmitche11

 

]]>https://www.capradio.org/123594Thu, 27 Sep 2018 00:18:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/123594noWhich California congressional seats should Republicans truly be worrying about losing with control of the House of Representatives at stake in the November election — and which ones are probably just wishful thinking for Democrats?Which California congressional seats should Republicans truly be worrying about losing with control of the House of Representatives at stake in the November election — and which ones are probably just wishful thinking for Democrats?webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioPost-Labor Day ResetThe Keys To The House team is sadly saying good-bye to host Ben Bradford. In this episode, Bradford introduces our new host and discusses significant shifts happening in favor of Democrats.The Keys To The House team is sadly saying good-bye to host Ben Bradford. In this episode, Bradford introduces our new host and discusses significant shifts happening in favor of Democrats. He’ll also talk about one congressman who has fallen into legal trouble over campaign spending, including allegedly using funds to fly a pet rabbit across the country.

]]>https://www.capradio.org/122396Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:28:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/122396noThe Keys To The House team is sadly saying good-bye to host Ben Bradford. In this episode, Bradford introduces our new host and discusses significant shifts happening in favor of Democrats.The Keys To The House team is sadly saying good-bye to host Ben Bradford. In this episode, Bradford introduces our new host and discusses significant shifts happening in favor of Democrats.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioDo Candidates Matter?Campaigns spend millions of dollars in Congressional races, while candidates are scrutinized relentlessly. But, on election day, to what degree does a candidate's personality affect the vote? A school of political thought says "almost none."Challenging for seats in this year’s California primary we had a lottery winner, a famous stem cell researcher, a beekeeper, two Marine colonels, multiple once-prominent state politicians looking for a way back into the spotlight.

All of which leads to a seemingly simple question we’re exploring today: What makes a good candidate? We’re going to challenge some of the most basic assumptions you may have.

We look at a couple of specific candidates, such as Democratic congressional candidate Katie Hill’s bid to upset Republican Rep. Steve Knight for his Los Angeles County seat. She has received national media attention, including a profile in the New Yorker and a two-part Vice series on HBO. Meanwhile, in Orange County, former Republican Assemblywoman Young Kim seeks to replace her former boss, retiring Rep. Ed Royce.

Guests

Darry Sragow, Democratic political strategist, publisher of the California Target Book
@DarrySragow

Melissa Michelson, political science professor, Menlo College
@profmichelson

Paul Mitchell, vice president, Political Data Inc.
@paulmitche11

]]>https://www.capradio.org/121479Sat, 18 Aug 2018 00:22:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/121479noCampaigns spend millions of dollars in Congressional races, while candidates are scrutinized relentlessly. But, on election day, to what degree does a candidate's personality affect the vote? A school of political thought says "almost none."Campaigns spend millions of dollars in Congressional races, while candidates are scrutinized relentlessly. But, on election day, to what degree does a candidate's personality affect the vote? A school of political thought says "almost none."webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioThe Safest Republican In A Democratic DistrictRep. David Valadao has consistently won election by double-digits, despite being a Republican in a blue district. CapRadio’s Ben Bradford explores why, joined by experts on the Latino vote, GOP strategist Mike Madrid and researcher Mindy Romero.Latinos are California’s largest ethnic or racial demographic and have played a major role in the state’s increasingly Democratic votes. But Latinos in California still have some of the lowest turnout of any demographic. That has likely helped some Republicans, such as Central Valley Rep. David Valadao, continue to hold office, despite a major disadvantage in party registration.

GOP strategist Mike Madrid and researcher Mindy Romero discuss how “get out the vote” efforts often don’t reach the voters who would most benefit from it and why to avoid the term “sleeping giant.”

Guests:

Mike Madrid, principal, GrassrootsLab
@madrid_mike

Mindy Romero, director California Civic Engagement Project
@MindySRomero

]]>https://www.capradio.org/119020Fri, 20 Jul 2018 02:35:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/119020noRep. David Valadao has consistently won election by double-digits, despite being a Republican in a blue district. CapRadio’s Ben Bradford explores why, joined by experts on the Latino vote, GOP strategist Mike Madrid and researcher Mindy Romero.Rep. David Valadao has consistently won election by double-digits, despite being a Republican in a blue district. CapRadio’s Ben Bradford explores why, joined by experts on the Latino vote, GOP strategist Mike Madrid and researcher Mindy Romero.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioRepublican Congressman Jeff Denham Pushes For DACA Solution As He Faces Tough Re-ElectionCentral Valley Republican Rep. Jeff Denham is bucking his party and pushing for an immigration solution for Dreamers. CapRadio’s Ben Bradford talks with KQED's Katie Orr and McClatchy's Alex Roarty about what this means for his re-election campaign.Republican Congressman Jeff Denham has become increasingly vulnerable in recent election cycles, as his district has grown more Democratic. But he’s been able to win over his constituents, even as they’ve voted for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Facing possibly his toughest challenge yet, Denham has been pushing Congress to pass immigration legislation that would include a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and billions of dollars in funding for the border wall. One bill that Denham was supporting was voted down this week, but he is continuing to call for a bipartisan immigration solution.

Denham has been able to walk a fine line and win over moderate voters in previous election cycles, but will his stance on immigration help or hurt him this time around?

Keys To The House host Ben Bradford discusses Denham’s race with McClatchy’s national political correspondent Alex Roarty and KQED’s state politics reporter Katie Orr.

Guests:

Katie Orr
Politics Reporter
KQED
@1KatieOrr

Alex Roarty
National Political Correspondent
McClatchy
@Alex_Roarty

Stories:

Can One Vote Threaten An Entrenched Republican? Democrats Will Try To Find Out

As Republican Jeff Denham Pushes To Extend DACA, How Do Voters Feel?

]]>https://www.capradio.org/116931Thu, 28 Jun 2018 22:01:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/116931noCentral Valley Republican Rep. Jeff Denham is bucking his party and pushing for an immigration solution for Dreamers. CapRadio’s Ben Bradford talks with KQED's Katie Orr and McClatchy's Alex Roarty about what this means for his re-election campaign.Central Valley Republican Rep. Jeff Denham is bucking his party and pushing for an immigration solution for Dreamers. CapRadio’s Ben Bradford talks with KQED's Katie Orr and McClatchy's Alex Roarty about what this means for his re-election campaign.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioRepublicans Hold Back Blue Wave, But Democrats Avoid Shutouts In California PrimaryCongressional Democrats successfully avoided a shutout from competitive primary races in California. But Republicans also walked away with their own advantages going into the general election.California's contentious congressional races in Southern California brought in millions of dollars in campaign spending from national Democratic organizations that previously ignored these districts.

Host Ben Bradford asks political strategists whether the choice to spend big bucks paid off. Experts also talk about the "political chess game" that the parties played in order to succeed under California's "top-two" primary system. And they weigh in on each party’s advantages and challenges going into the general election.

Guests:

Christine Mai-Duc
Political Reporter
LA Times
@cmaiduc

Darry Sragow
Attorney/Former Democratic Political Strategist
@darrysragow

Katie Merrill
Democratic Political Strategist
Take Back California
@katiemerrill

Jen Jacobs
Republican Political Strategist
@jenjacobs92101

Scott Lay
Writer
"Around The Capitol" newsletter
@ScottLay

Paul Mitchell
Vice President
Political Data, Inc.
@paulmitche11

]]>https://www.capradio.org/116041Mon, 11 Jun 2018 23:38:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/116041noCongressional Democrats successfully avoided a shutout from competitive primary races in California. But Republicans also walked away with their own advantages going into the general election.Congressional Democrats successfully avoided a shutout from competitive primary races in California. But Republicans also walked away with their own advantages going into the general election.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioThe Dem-On-Dem FactorHost Ben Bradford talks with Claremont McKenna political professor Jack Pitney and Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc. about the odds of a Democratic lockout in top races.Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has earned the nickname "Putin's Favorite Congressman." And it’s put a target on his back, in a district where Democrats outvoted Republicans in the 2016 presidential race. But so many Democrats are running to unseat him that it possible none may make it past the primary, under California's unusual election rules. Host Ben Bradford and guests explain how Rohrabacher's district is a prime example of a problem Democrats face in multiple races.

Guests

Jack Pitney
Politics Professor, Claremont McKenna College
@jpitney

Paul Mitchell
Vice President, Political Data, Inc.
@paulmitche11

]]>https://www.capradio.org/115173Sat, 26 May 2018 01:17:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/115173noHost Ben Bradford talks with Claremont McKenna political professor Jack Pitney and Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc. about the odds of a Democratic lockout in top races.Host Ben Bradford talks with Claremont McKenna political professor Jack Pitney and Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc. about the odds of a Democratic lockout in top races.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioGOP California Convention Post-MortemCalifornia Republicans are bracing for a tough midterm election. CapRadio's Ben Bradford talks with politics reporters Carla Marinucci from Politico and Christine Mai-Duc from the LA Times about the party's challenges going into the June 5 primary.California Republicans are struggling to hold onto key congressional seats in this year's midterm election.

In our first roundtable podcast, reporters discuss the state's annual GOP convention, where Republicans aimed to energize their base by targeting California's sanctuary laws and repealing a recently passed gas-tax increase.

But when it comes to President Trump, the party is taking a much more delicate approach this year. There's also concern that if Republicans don’t have a gubernatorial candidate on the ballot in November, holding on to vulnerable House seats will prove difficult.

Guests:

Carla Marinucci
Senior Writer, Politico's California Playbook
@cmarinucci

Christine Mai-Duc
Politics Reporter
Los Angeles Times
@cmaiduc

Stories:  

Republicans At State Party Gathering Would Rather Talk About The Gas Tax Than Keeping The House         

California GOP Looks To Dislodge Democratic Control

]]>https://www.capradio.org/114480Sat, 12 May 2018 00:16:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/114480noCalifornia Republicans are bracing for a tough midterm election. CapRadio's Ben Bradford talks with politics reporters Carla Marinucci from Politico and Christine Mai-Duc from the LA Times about the party's challenges going into the June 5 primary.California Republicans are bracing for a tough midterm election. CapRadio's Ben Bradford talks with politics reporters Carla Marinucci from Politico and Christine Mai-Duc from the LA Times about the party's challenges going into the June 5 primary.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioRepublicans On The RopesWelcome to our debut episode of Keys to the House, a new podcast from Capital Public Radio. This limited-series podcast will focus on battleground congressional races, and how California could determine which party wins majority in the House.When it comes to national elections, the sad truth for Californians is we don't really matter. But this year, something unusual is happening: A handful of longtime Republican congressional districts are suddenly vulnerable.

Capital Public Radio's Ben Bradford charts the rise and fall of California's Republican Party, and its prospects going into tough midterm election battles.

]]>https://www.capradio.org/114476Fri, 11 May 2018 23:30:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/114476noWelcome to our debut episode of Keys to the House, a new podcast from Capital Public Radio. This limited-series podcast will focus on battleground congressional races, and how California could determine which party wins majority in the House.Welcome to our debut episode of Keys to the House, a new podcast from Capital Public Radio. This limited-series podcast will focus on battleground congressional races, and how California could determine which party wins majority in the House.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadioIntroducing Keys To The House: A Podcast Following California’s Contentious Congressional RacesA preview of Capital Public Radio's new podcast, which explores the battleground Congressional races that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives after the November election.

California's vote often doesn't have an impact on national elections. It's a known commodity in the general election, particularly as it's gotten increasingly Democratic. But this upcoming midterm election is shaping up to be different. Republicans are so on the ropes in the state, and President Donald Trump is so unpopular here, that something unusual is happening.

Congressional seats that were once solidly Republican just four years ago are all of a sudden up for grabs. Nationally, Democrats are eying big gains that could win the party a majority in the House of Representatives, breaking Republican control in Washington. Their path to victory runs through California.

Get a sneak-peak of this podcast hosted by Capital Public Radio's Ben Bradford, which will follow some of these tight California races that could determine who gets the Keys To The House.

]]>https://www.capradio.org/114343Wed, 09 May 2018 19:40:00 GMThttps://www.capradio.org/114343noA preview of Capital Public Radio's new podcast, which explores the battleground Congressional races that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives after the November election.A preview of Capital Public Radio's new podcast, which explores the battleground Congressional races that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives after the November election.webmaster@capradio.org (CapRadio)CapRadio