California’s next governor may come from the business world instead of the political class.
In this full-length interview on the So, Does It Matter? Podcast, publisher Jon Fleischman sits down with Jon Slavet, a Republican candidate for governor whose background is rooted in private-sector leadership, entrepreneurship, and large-scale business operations — not career politics.
Slavet discusses why he believes California’s economic, regulatory, and leadership failures stem from a government culture that has lost touch with how real businesses operate. He explains what finally pushed him to enter the race, how his experience managing organizations shapes his governing philosophy, and what he believes must change to restore accountability, affordability, and competence in Sacramento.
We also touch on Slavet’s recently launched State of Gold podcast — a side project that gave him a front-row seat to California’s political and cultural debates, but which ultimately reinforced his decision to move from commentary into direct leadership.
This is a wide-ranging, substantive conversation about leadership, economic policy, public trust, and whether California is finally ready for an outsider with real management experience in the governor’s office.
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✅ CHAPTER MARKERS
01:45 – Why Jon Slavet entered the race for governor
06:20 – Business leadership vs. career politics
12:05 – California’s regulatory crisis
18:30 – Economic growth and affordability
25:10 – Why Sacramento resists reform
31:40 – The
State of Gold podcast and political commentary
36:50 – Public trust and government competence
43:00 – Final message to California voters
What is So, Does It Matter? on CA Politics?
California is by far the largest state in the country. What happens here affects the country and the world. What happens here, from big cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose, to the breadbasket of the Central Valley, is consequential. This podcast is a feature of the extensive www.SoDoesItMatter.com Substack Newsletter (sign up for free). This is where longtime California conservative strategist Jon Fleischman features audio commentary, mainly in the form of interviews with people of consequence in California politics or policy.
Jon Fleischman is a former Executive Director of the California Republican Party and a veteran of hundreds of political campaigns. He is a frequent voice on cable shows, in California newspapers, and on podcasts, discussing a wide range of topics, but mostly...California politics!