California’s First Millennial Majority Leader: "The System Is Broken" | Ian Calderon
California’s First Millennial Majority Leader: "The System Is Broken" | Ian Calderon  
Podcast: State of Gold
Published On: Tue Nov 25 2025
Description: Guest:Candidate for Governor of California Ian CalderonGuest Bio: Ian Calderon was the first millennial elected to the California State Assembly and later served as the Assembly Majority Leader. During his time in office (2012–2020), he was deeply involved in major budget and policy negotiations. After leaving office, he became a small business owner, giving him a dual perspective on both governance and entrepreneurship. Now, as a candidate for Governor of California, he’s focused on fixing California’s housing crisis, improving affordability, and restoring common sense to state government.Show SummaryIs California still a place where families can thrive? Former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon joins Jon Slavet for a candid conversation about what it would take to restore affordability, unlock housing, and lead the state into a more hopeful future.Calderon shares his experience navigating budget negotiations, the unintended costs of overregulation, and why he believes single-family homeownership must be restored as a priority. He outlines a path to fiscal responsibility and explains how technology could revolutionize state government. Chapters00:00 – Why He’s Running: From Majority Leader to Governor01:35 – What Legislative Experience Brings to the Governor’s Office03:45 – California’s Affordability Crisis Explained05:55 – Single-Family Housing, Zoning & Choice08:11 – What He’d Do to Lower Costs09:45 – How to Incentivize Developers and First-Time Buyers12:00 – Tackling Institutional Investors & Housing Supply14:18 – Budget Reality: What He’d Cut16:00 – Using Blockchain to Modernize Government17:50 – Revenue, Taxes & the Role of the Governor19:55 – Could AI Shrink California’s Government Workforce?20:34 – Rapid Fire: First Priority as Governor20:41 – Leader He Most Admires21:18 – What Outsiders Get Wrong About California Politics22:21 – California Is…Connect with Ian CalderonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianforca2026/X: https://x.com/iancalderonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ianforca2026Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com