EP 191: Battle For California: Spencer Pratt’s Rise In LA & The Fight To Replace Gavin Newsom

Peter Hamby joins us to break down the high-stakes political races shaping California ahead of the June 2 primary — from the crowded governor’s race to the increasingly unpredictable battle for mayor of Los Angeles. Hamby, host of Snapchat’s “Good Luck America,” political correspondent at Puck, and host of the “Powers That Be” podcast, explains why Democrats in America’s bluest major state remain divided and without a clear frontrunner to replace term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. The conversation dives into the frontrunners, whether former Fox News host Steve Hilton has a chance to win statewide as a Republican, and Newsom’s role in the race as he looks to 2028. The episode also explores the fascinating Los Angeles mayoral race, where incumbent mayor Karen Bass is facing a surprising surge from reality TV star and influencer Spencer Pratt. Hamby explains why Pratt’s social media-first campaign strategy is resonating with some voters — and whether it represents a new playbook for modern political campaigns. Mosheh Oinounou (⁠⁠@mosheh⁠⁠) is an Emmy and Murrow award-winning journalist. He has 20 years of experience at networks including Fox News, Bloomberg Television and CBS News, where he was the executive producer of the CBS Evening News and launched the network's 24 hour news channel. He founded the @mosheh Instagram news account in 2020 and the Mo News podcast and newsletter in 2022.