The Chuck ToddCast
Interview Only w/ Jon Slavet - Can A Moderate Republican Win California’s Governor Race
14 Jan 2026
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Chapter 2: Why is Jon Slavet running for governor of California?
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Chapter 3: What is the significance of local politics in California?
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Chapter 4: What are Jon Slavet's views on transparency in government?
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Chapter 5: Why does Jon Slavet seek Trump's endorsement despite his past voting record?
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Chapter 6: How does Jon Slavet propose to address homelessness?
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Chapter 7: How does Jon Slavet view the impact of taxes on small businesses?
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Chapter 8: How does Jon Slavet plan to tackle California's affordability crisis?
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things to find in American politics is a California moderate. And I say that part of it is the system. Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to create a system that would then incentivize the center to be the governing force of California politics. Of course, center depends on where you sit. Those from outside of California may look at a Gavin Newsom or Nancy Pelosi and say they're liberal.
Those that live in San Francisco would say they're centrist. So some of it is sometimes perspective. My guest today is John Slavitt, and he intrigues me because he's trying to do what arguably nobody other than Arnold Schwarzenegger has been able to do, which is essentially own the center lane in a California gubernatorial race and pull this off.
We have seen many attempt and he also has a background at Silicon Valley. This is also in theory should be a strength and in practice in the past has been a bit of a hurdle himself. So I'm very intrigued. So I invited him on the podcast because I think the California governor's race is so wide open. And I think we still don't know all the candidates that are going to be running.
Filing deadline is still a couple of months away. But John Slavitt is a, I think he described himself at one point, a lifelong Democrat, now becoming a Republican, but really trying to see if there is a center lane to straddle. So let's have that conversation. John, welcome to the podcast. Thank you, Chuck. Nice to see you. So let me start.
Well, first of all, let me just start with why are you doing this? Why politics? And when was the first time you ever thought you'd get into politics?
Well, first time I ever thought I'd get into politics, really seriously decided to run a few months ago. I've been interested in politics. I've been a student of politics. I've been a bit of a political and news junkie for a long, long time. I started my career actually in media. I came to California. Right. Sorry.
CNET, which was sort of an early tech media company.
Well, it was. I didn't work for CNET, but I worked for a company that joint ventured with them. So you got it. You got it partially right. I worked for the founder of the entertainment, a guy named Yara Mon used to be Lee Masters. He was the former CEO of NPR before the current CEO.
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