Let's Find Common Ground

Spring 2026 CPF Fellow Seema Mehta joins redistricting experts Christian Grose, Paul Mitchell, Matt Rexroad, and Amy Thoma Tan for a conversation on Prop 50, redistricting, and the future of representation in the United States. They discuss the history of redistricting, California's Proposition 50, Texas's redistricting bill, and how this influences political power, changing political norms, and the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conversation is part of Mehta's study group "Politics, Polls, and Punditry — the Inner Workings of Modern-Day Campaigns."
 
Featuring:
-Christian Grose: Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, USC; Director, Democracy and Fair Elections Lab at USC Dornsife
-Paul Mitchell: Democratic Redistricting Strategist
-Matt Rexroad: GOP Redistricting Strategist
-Amy Thoma Tan: President, Cobalt Public Affairs
-Seema Mehta: Veteran National & State Reporter, Los Angeles Times; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
-Diego Andrades: Assistant Director, USC Center for the Political Future

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins James Cleverly, former UK Secretary of State for the Home Department, for a conversation on the past, present, and future of US-UK relations. They discuss how leadership transitions, elections, and global crises shape cooperation between Washington and London, and what the next chapter of this transatlantic relationship may hold. This conversation is in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute.
 
Featuring:
- James Cleverly: British Conservative Politician; Member of Parliament for Braintree; Former UK Secretary of State for the Home Department; Former Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Education; Army Reserve Officer
- Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Spring 2026 CPF Fellows Mark Campbell, Yemisi Egbewole, Garret Graves, and Seema Mehta for a discussion on the current state of politics today. They discuss the 2026 midterms, the Trump Administration's impact on the upcoming elections and media, ICE raids, and how the Democrats and Republicans are approaching the midterms. The conversation also explores the Fellows' study groups and their wide-ranging careers in politics and public service.
 
Featuring:
Mark Campbell: GOP Campaign Strategist; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
Yemisi Egbewole: Former Chief of Staff and Advisor to the Biden White House Press Office; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
Garret Graves: Former U.S. Representative (R-LA); Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
Seema Mehta: Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

USC Annenberg Media Center Director Christina Bellantoni leads a panel discussion with political and media experts Mark Campbell, Jon Favreau, John Heilemann, and Seema Mehta on the 2026 midterms. They discuss what to expect as we approach the 2026 midterms, what Democrats and Republicans need to do to reach voters, and the political implications of the 2025 special elections on the 2026 midterms. The panel ends with closing remarks from CPF Director Bob Shrum and USC Dornsife Dean James Bullock. This conversation is part of CPF's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?"
 
Featuring:
Mark Campbell: CEO and Founder, Intellz Inc.; Former Campaign Manager for Glenn Youngkin; Fellow, University of Chicago Institute of Politics; Political Director for Ted Cruz's 2016 Presidential Primary Campaign
Jon Favreau: Co-Founder, Crooked Media; Host, Pod Save America; Former Chief Speechwriter for President Barack Obama
John Heilemann: Chief Political Columnist & Host, Impolitic with John Heilemann, Puck; National Affairs Analyst, MS NOW
Seema Mehta: Veteran National & State Reporter, Los Angeles Times
Christina Bellantoni: Professor & Director, Annenberg Media Center, USC
James Bullock: USC Dornsife Dean
Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

POLITICO Enterprise Managing Editor Sasha Issenberg leads a panel discussion with political experts Jim DeBoo, Christian Grose, David Simas, and Amy Thoma Tan on redistricting and whether it's getting too partisan. They discuss the state of redistricting nationally, the California Prop. 50 results, and how the results impact Democrats and Republicans moving forward. This conversation is part of CPF's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?"
 
Featuring:
Jim DeBoo: Founder, DeBoo Strategic Affairs; Former Chief of Staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom; Fall 2025 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
Christian Grose: Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, USC
David Simas: Managing Director, Emerson Collective; Former President, Obama Foundation; Fall 2025 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
Amy Thoma Tan: President, Cobalt Public Affairs
Sasha Issenberg: Managing Editor, Enterprise, POLITICO; Author, "The Engagement: America's Quarter-Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage"