Ballard Partners’ 13th & Park Welcomes Major Figures in California Politics

The race to succeed Gavin Newsom as the governor of California is heating up, and the podcast 13th & Park is on the front lines covering it. A production of the Brian Ballard–founded public affairs firm Ballard Partners, 13th & Park has featured conversations with a number of politicians and other major figures in California politics who have offered unique perspectives on the race, as well as a look at their own careers.

Antonio Villaraigosa

While considering a run for governor of California, Antonio Villaraigosa joined 13th & Park in June of 2025 to discuss his vision for the Golden State. Villaraigosa has since formally declared his bid to become governor, making his conversation with Ballard Partners’ Anthony Williams a preview of his ongoing gubernatorial campaign.

In that conversation, Villaraigosa shared with Williams (who as a former member of the Newsom administration is a California political insider himself) how he would address challenges such as homelessness, the lack of affordable housing, climate change, and crime. Villaraigosa also discussed his experience in elected office and the lessons he learned that he would apply as governor.

Villaraigosa’s experience arose from serving as a two-term mayor of Los Angeles. After taking office in 2005, he spearheaded initiatives focused on making Los Angeles safer, greener, more educated, and economically stronger. Villaraigosa was elected as mayor after serving in the California State Assembly, where he rose to the position of Speaker.

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California, Gavin Newsom sat down with Williams in 2024 for a conversation in which he reflected on his time as the chief executive of the Golden State. Newsom, who some speculate will run for president in 2028, talked about the lessons he’s learned as governor and how he has chosen to lead in an era of political polarization.

Newsom also discussed his path to politics, a career he embarked on after establishing himself as a successful entrepreneur. Initially serving on the San Francisco Parking and Traffic Commission, he eventually ran for and was elected as the city’s mayor. In this capacity, he became a national leader in legalizing same-sex marriage. He later served as lieutenant governor under Governor Jerry Brown before becoming governor himself.

Dee Dee Myers

While Dee Dee Myers is best known to many in politics as the former White House press secretary under President Bill Clinton, she has served in Governor Newsom’s cabinet for more than five years. As the director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, she has been instrumental in helping the California economy to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Myers discussed her time in the Newsom administration on a March episode of 13th & Park. Speaking with Williams, she shared how the experience of navigating major political and international challenges in the White House prepared her to navigate the economic turmoil inflicted on California’s economy during the pandemic.

Myers has a long history in California politics, having worked on the gubernatorial campaigns of Tom Bradley and Dianne Feinstein. A graduate of Santa Clara University, she has also spent time in Hollywood as an executive vice president at Warner Bros.

Jim Deboo

Jim Deboo is an expert in strategic affairs who has worked with some of California’s most igh-profile elected officials, among them Newsom and Villaraigosa. On a March episode of 13th & Park, he sat down with Williams to discuss his career, hot-button issues in California, and how he sees the race for governor unfolding.

In particular, Deboo gave his opinion on which candidates will be most likely to advance into a runoff, the role of money in the campaign, and whether national politics will influence the race. The conversation also saw him share his insights into the state’s political system.

Deboo developed these insights as the chief of staff to Governor Newsom. In this capacity, he helped Newsom to navigate California’s response to the pandemic. Along with serving in the governor’s administration, Deboo has advised California Speaker John Perez as interim chief of staff and then–Los Angeles mayor Villaraigosa as chief legislative representative.