Our weekly interview podcasts are free for all of our subscribers. But about 40% of our site’s content is reserved for our paid subscribers. It’s not very expensive—jump in and get all of our coverage during this important election year! Paid subscribers will get extra content in the form of our “One More Thing” extra question with Carl. Hint: We go waaaay back in Carl’s life.
🎙️ This Week on the So, Does It Matter? One-On-One Podcast — Straight Talk with Assemblyman Carl DeMaio!
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio has never been known for pulling punches — and in this conversation with Jon Fleischman, he certainly doesn’t start now.
In this week’s episode of the So, Does It Matter? In a One-On-One Podcast, Jon sits down with DeMaio for a blunt, wide-ranging discussion about California politics, the dysfunction in Sacramento, and what he believes conservatives must do to actually change the state's direction.
DeMaio explains how his organization, Reform California, is attempting to rebuild a grassroots political movement focused on lowering the cost of living, restoring public safety, and challenging what he describes as a “broken political system” dominated by insiders and special interests.
The conversation also turns to DeMaio’s experience during his first term in the California State Assembly — what surprised him after arriving in Sacramento, why many Republican lawmakers fail to effectively challenge the majority party, and why he believes political pressure from voters back home is often more powerful than negotiations inside the Capitol.
Jon and DeMaio also discuss candidate recruitment across California, the fight to break the Democratic supermajority in the Legislature, and two major ballot initiatives Reform California helped qualify — voter ID and a measure designed to strengthen protections under Proposition 13.
Whether you agree with him or not, DeMaio offers a clear window into the strategy behind one of the most aggressive reform movements currently operating inside California politics.
If you want a candid look at how one conservative lawmaker believes the system really works in Sacramento — and what it will take to change it — this is a conversation worth hearing.
🎥 Watch the full conversation above — and find the video and podcast players below
If you want to play the audio right here, this is the player:
If you’d like to listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or other platforms, click here.
You can find this video on YouTube here. (You can easily embed a video from YouTube into your social media channels! Spread the word.)
Useful Links…
Carl DeMaio on X
Official Assembly Website for Carl DeMaio
Reform California Website
Carl DeMaio/Reform California on YouTube
Jon Fleischman on X
Links to the campaign websites of candidates mentioned on the show…
Re-Elect Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez Website
Re-Elect Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo Website
Kristie Bruce Lane for State Senate Website
For These New Candidates — Websites Coming Soon!
Victoria Moreno — Assembly District 50
Raffaella Romero — Assembly District 53
Carrie Villanueva Espinoza — Assembly District 76
Join the growing community of hundreds of paid subscribers who get 100% of Jon’s reporting and analysis. Free subscribers see about 60%—but the whole picture, the deeper dives, and the extras are reserved for paid members. If you value independent journalism that cuts through the noise, this is the place to stand with me. All the reasons to upgrade are right here—come inside. It’s priced at less than half of what Substack recommends… Start with a free trial!
EXCLUSIVE “ONE MORE THING” EXTRA VIDEO BELOW…
The “One More Thing” feature — Carl talks to us about something in his past that is fundamental to who he is as a person! A great extra feature for our paid subscribers.
