What Jon Favreau has said about 2026 California gubernatorial election

Favreau says he voted for Katie Porter despite recognizing it was the least strategic choice.

“I just voted for Katie Porter because I like her and it's like I realized that she has it is the least strategic head”

Pod Save America: Trump and Pod Save America Agree: JD Is Lame (Jun 2, 2026) · Listen from 30:47

Favreau warns that late-counted California ballots will likely produce an early Republican-leaning red mirage.

“high probability that this will have a red mirage in the voting as the returns come in, especially this year”

Pod Save America: Trump and Pod Save America Agree: JD Is Lame (Jun 2, 2026) · Listen from 44:56

Favreau said Trump's endorsement of Steve Hilton did for Democrats what their own campaigns had failed to do in the jungle primary.

“It's so funny. I think you and I talked about this and I was like, how have other Democratic campaigns not elevated one of the two Republicans by now?”

Pod Save America: Strait Up War Crimes (Apr 7, 2026) · Listen from 56:49

Favreau predicted the next California governor will be Steyer, Porter or Swalwell.

“like those are probably one of those three candidates is going to end up being governor”

Pod Save America: Strait Up War Crimes (Apr 7, 2026) · Listen from 1:01:06

Favreau suggested Democrats copy Newsom's 2018 strategy of elevating a single Trump-aligned Republican such as Steve Hilton to consolidate GOP votes.

“I would imagine if they all decided we're going to all go after Steve Hilton, he's the boogeyman. He loves Trump. He's on Fox all the time and make him the big, the big bad guy”

Pod Save America: Blue Wave Building in the Strait of Hormuz (Mar 27, 2026) · Listen from 1:00:29