*Preview* Eric Swalwangelou

This was some of the most fun we've had recording in The Drain's 50-week existence. So if you're not a patron yet, subscribe today to listen to the full episode.

We begin with a couple of excerpts from Kempa's favorite modern poet: California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell. Does he yearn for another night with star-crossed Fang Fang? Move us to tears with vivid verse on uncontrolled farts? You'll have to listen to find out.

Swalwell is, sadly, considered the frontrunner in the race for governor, edging out billionaire suck-up Tom Steyer and horrible boss Katie Porter. But there's a lot of runway before the June 2 primary. We take a look at the state of things, and also discuss Steyer's campaign manager--a former Elizabeth Warren presidential campaign staffer and former intern for America's Landlord/windshield wiper thief, Steve Maviglio.

California's state Democratic convention was last weekend, which brought lots of drama between corporate Democrats and the rising progressive/leftist influence in the party--such as the race for Congress between Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains and local lefty darling Randy Villegas.

Eons ago, Kempa wrote a cover story in the Sacramento News and Review on the 2017 California Democratic Convention. Things were the same back then as they are today, with party establishment types like former state chair John Burton (dead) telling nurses who were fighting for Medicare for All to "shut the fuck up."

Thankfully, there are some bright spots for lefties, such as Representative Ro Khanna increasingly veering left as he prepares for a 2028 run for the White House. We also discuss Bernie Sanders's visit to the Golden State to kick off the campaign to tax the state's billionaires into oblivion.

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