Unlocking California Politics

Episode 37 of C.A.R.’s Unlocking California Politics podcast is out now. In this episode, C.A.R. Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Sanjay Wagle sits down with Democratic political strategist Andrew Acosta and Republican political strategist Rob Stutzman to preview the 2026 General Election. The conversation looks at how California’s political landscape has shifted since the primary, what is shaping voter sentiment heading into November, key races, and several ballot measures, including C.A.R.-sponsored Proposition 37. Acosta and Stutzman also share what they will be watching on Election Night and what could influence the final weeks of the campaign.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from experts who will give you their take on California politics, housing news and policies, and other top industry matters.

Episode 36 of C.A.R.’s Unlocking California Politics podcast is out now. In this episode, C.A.R. Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Sanjay Wagle sits down with C.A.R. Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy Jennifer Svec to recap the 2026 legislative session and some of the year’s biggest housing and real estate issues. Svec takes listeners behind the scenes of C.A.R.’s advocacy at the Capitol, including major legislative fights, C.A.R.-sponsored legislation, and the role REALTOR® member engagement played throughout the session.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from experts who will give you their take on California politics, housing news and policies, and other top industry matters.

The newest episode of C.A.R.’s Unlocking California Politics podcast is out now. In this episode, C.A.R. Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Sanjay Wagle sits down with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to discuss the current state of California’s insurance market, including the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, the FAIR Plan, growing climate risks, and what changes in the insurance market could mean for homeowners, homebuyers and REALTORS®. Commissioner Lara also shares guidance for navigating today’s insurance landscape and reflects on the work still ahead to strengthen California’s insurance market.

To listen, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from experts who will give you their take on California politics, housing issues, and other top industry matters.

Episode 34 of C.A.R.’s Unlocking California Politics podcast is out now. In this episode,
C.A.R. Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Sanjay Wagle is joined by veteran
political strategists Andrew Acosta and Rob Stutzman to break down the results of
California's 2026 Primary Election and what they reveal about the political landscape
heading into the November general election. Drawing on decades of experience from both
Democratic and Republican perspectives, the guests examine the biggest surprises of the
election, shifting voter priorities, and the races and issues that will shape the months
ahead.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes, or
Spotify. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from
experts who will give you their take on California politics, housing news and policies, and
other top industry matters.

The California Association of REALTORS® has released a special live episode of the
Unlocking California Politics podcast recorded during C.A.R.’s 2026 Legislative Day in
Sacramento. In this follow up conversation, C.A.R. Senior Vice President Sanjay Wagle
sits down once again with former Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Robert Hertzberg to discuss
the next phase of the proposed Middle Class Homeownership and Family Home
Construction Act after officially qualifying for the November ballot. The episode explores the growing coalition behind the initiative, why it matters to REALTORS® and middle income Californians, and how members can help engage their communities as the campaign moves into election season.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes, or
Spotify. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from
experts who will give you their take on California politics, housing news and policies, and
other top industry matters

In the latest episode of Unlocking California Politics, host Sanjay Wagle sits down with Legislative Advocate Jennifer Svec to break down C.A.R.’s 2026 legislative priorities and the policy debates shaping California’s housing landscape. From HOA accountability and consumer protections to wildfire resilience and housing affordability, the conversation highlights the key issues REALTORS® should be watching this year and how member engagement can help advance meaningful housing solutions.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify. Be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from experts who share insights on California politics, housing policy, and issues impacting REALTORS® and homeowners.

In the newest episode of the Unlocking California Politics podcast, C.A.R. Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Sanjay Wagle sits down with Assemblymember John Harabedian and Senator Sasha Renée Pérez for a “Meet the Freshmen” conversation about their first term in the Legislature, the challenges shaping their districts, and the priorities they are focused on moving forward.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify. Be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from experts who share insights on California politics, housing policy, and issues impacting REALTORS® and homeowners.

In the newest episode of the Unlocking California Politics podcast, C.A.R. Senior Vice
President Sanjay Wagle sits down with Republican Assemblymembers Heather Hadwick
and David Tangipa for a “Meet the Freshmen” conversation about their first term in the
Legislature, what they’ve learned, and how they hope to move forward in 2026.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes, or
Spotify. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from
experts who will give you their take on California politics, housing news and policies, and
other top industry matters

In the latest episode of the Unlocking California Politics podcast, C.A.R. Senior Vice President Sanjay Wagle sits down with former Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Robert Hertzberg to discuss his proposed statewide ballot initiative aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities for middle-income Californians. The 2026 measure, known as the Middle-Class Homeownership and Family Home Construction Act, seeks to address the growing barriers facing the next generation of would-be homeowners.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from experts who will give you their take on California politics, housing news and policies, and other top industry matters.

In the newest episode of the Unlocking California Politics podcast, C.A.R.’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Sanjay Wagle, sits down with Political Data Inc. Vice President Paul Mitchell and Swing Strategies President and CEO Tom Ross for an in-depth discussion on Proposition 50. Together, they unpack the factors driving what has become one of the fastest-moving elections in California history.

In a special live recording of Episode 26 of the Unlocking California Politics podcast, C.A.R. Senior Vice President Sanjay Wagle sat down with C.A.R.’s Legislative Advocate Jennifer Svec at C.A.R.’s 2025 Legislative Day in Sacramento. In this episode, Jennifer and Sanjay break down the behind-the-scenes work of C.A.R.’s advocacy team, explaining how it all works, how they defend the real estate industry from harmful state legislation, and how they promote policies that support homeownership in California.

Jennifer and Sanjay discuss real-life examples of how C.A.R.’s advocacy team works to pass critical legislation, like the decades-long fight for ADUs. They also explain how the team pushes back on harmful bills and is always guided by the policies set by C.A.R. members to protect homeownership and support REALTORS® across the state.

“You are the ones that drive the policies that your advocacy team works on. We are just the soldiers and your voice in that building, but we do not actually dictate what your policy is. We take those instructions and go forward. We know inherently by being your advocacy team what is the priority and is going to cause the most detriment to your industry and your business.” – Jennifer Svec, C.A.R.’s Legislative Advocate.

In this episode, C.A.R. Senior Vice President Sanjay Wagle sits down with Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine to discuss California’s 2025 housing forecast. They explore what’s ahead for buyers, sellers, and the broader market—and why housing remains central to both personal financial growth and the state’s economic outlook.

The conversation covers the impact of shifting inventory levels on sales activity, the challenges of a persistently undersupplied market, and why trying to “time the market” may not pay off. With thoughtful analysis and practical takeaways, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at what to expect in the months ahead.

“California’s chronically undersupplied, meaning that outside of wild cards and curve balls in the economy, prices have only ever gone one way over the long term. You can always take advantage of lower rates if they go down in the future, but you can never jump in the time machine and go back and pay the cheaper price.” – Jordan Levine, C.A.R.’s Vice President and Chief Economist.

In episode 24 of Unlocking California Politics, Senior Vice President of C.A.R. Sanjay Wagle is joined by Steve Young, SVP and General Counsel of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of California, and Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders, for a deep dive into the challenges surrounding home insurance in California after the recent devastating LA County fires.

To listen or watch this episode, go to on.car.org/politicspodcast, YouTube, iTunes or Spotify. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to hear the latest episodes from experts who will give you their take on California politics, housing news and policies, and other top industry matters.

In episode 23 of Unlocking California Politics Episode, titled “Unlocking C.A.R.’s New CEO,” Senior Vice President of C.A.R. Sanjay Wagle is joined by Phil Hawkins, Jr., C.A.R.’s Chief Executive Officer. In this episode, Phil discusses his journey with the organization and the current challenges facing Californians and REALTORS® in homeownership and real estate. They explore critical housing issues, from how capital gains impact the industry to the role new construction has in addressing California's housing affordability.

Kicking off 2025 with a new episode of the Unlocking California Politics podcast featuring host Sanjay Wagle, Senior Vice President of C.A.R. and with guest Laiza Negrete, Vice President of Political Affairs of C.A.R. Laiza and Sanjay give listeners context to how C.A.R. advocates politically for REALTORS® in California as well as discussing voter turnout, national trends and the new members of the State Legislature.

C.A.R. has released the latest episode of the Unlocking California Politics Podcast: Unlocking the Future of Housing. In episode 21, Sanjay is joined by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, a passionate advocate for housing access, mental health, and veterans’ rights. Drawing from her experience as a former teacher, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva shares compelling insights on how housing stability directly impacts student achievement. The conversation also highlights California’s ongoing commitment to veteran housing initiatives, offering a comprehensive look at these critical issues shaping our state.

C.A.R. has released the latest episode of the Unlocking California Politics Podcast: Unlocking the Economics of Housing and Prop 33. In episode 20, Sanjay is joined by Mike Falk, a Public Policy Economist at the California Association of REALTORS®, to discuss the economics of rent control, housing, and how Prop 33 affects California’s housing market. The discussion also included what is going on with the current market and mortgage rates and housing policies that would make a difference in California.

C.A.R. has released the latest episode of the Unlocking California Politics Podcast: Unlocking the 2024 General Election Ballot Measures. In part 1 of this episode, C.A.R.’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Sanjay Wagle, is joined by Josh Pulliam, founder of JPM+M, and Jim DeBoo, founder of DeBoo Strategic Affairs, to talk about the dangers of Prop 33 and C.A.R.’s support of Prop 34. Then, in part 2, Sanjay is joined by Kellie Swayne, a third generation REALTOR® and current president of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance Sacramento chapter, to discuss C.A.R.’s positions on Prop 3.

Episode 18 of C.A.R.’s Unlocking California Politics Podcast, Unlocking First-Term Reflections and Insights. In this episode, C.A.R.’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Sanjay Wagle, is joined by Assemblymembers Joe Patterson and Josh Hoover to reflect on their experience as they wrap up their first full two-year session in the State Legislature.

Episode 17 of C.A.R.’s Unlocking California Politics Podcast, Unlocking the 2024 State Budget, is out now. C.A.R.’s Senior VP of Government Affairs Sanjay Wagle is joined by Assemblymember and Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee Jesse Gabriel to discuss the budget process and how recent changes in the 2024-25 state budget will affect the real estate industry and housing in California. Tune in for exclusive information on all things California budget and housing.