POLITICO Politics Bureau Chief Jonathan Martin is hitting the road for a series of wide-ranging conversations with key players in American politics on the ground in their home states. They’ll talk about the issues of the day, look ahead to the 2026 political season, and perhaps dig into some local delicacies.
Is this the Democrat who could win back the South?
POLITICO's Jonathan Martin interviews former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu about rebuilding trust in American institutions and the future of the Democratic Party.
9 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Spencer Cox on why Trump is the result — not the cause — of America’s crisis
Utah Governor Spencer Cox discusses his new book and America's political divide with POLITICO's Jonathan Martin, exploring Trump's role and rebuilding trust.
2 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Susan Collins on her high-wire act in Trump’s GOP
Senator Susan Collins and POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin discuss her reelection, Trump’s GOP, and the future of bipartisan governing over a Maine meal.
26 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
An outsider Democrat taking on both parties in Iowa
Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand discusses his outsider campaign strategy and the future of the Democratic Party with host Jonathan Martin in this interview.
4 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
Pete Buttigieg has a theory for how Democrats can win
POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin interviews former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about building the future of the Democratic Party beyond a return to the past.
28 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Rahm Emanuel makes his 2028 pitch over pizza in Chicago
POLITICO's Jonathan Martin interviews Rahm Emanuel about his 2028 presidential aspirations, the Democratic Party's direction, and America's political landscape over Chicago pizza.
8 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
A GOP power trio look to Teddy Roosevelt for America's next 250 years
POLITICO's Jonathan Martin interviews Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Senators Kelly Armstrong and Kevin Cramer about Theodore Roosevelt's legacy and its relevance for America's future.
26 May 2026
Shapiro on Trump, Fetterman and 2028 over cheesesteaks in South Philly
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Angelo’s Pizzeria, a South Philly institution, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the Democratic party, rising cynicism in American politics and the growing speculation around his political future in 2028.
19 May 2026
Wes Moore gets blunt about 2028: I'm hungry, not thirsty
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Baltimore’s iconic Koco's Pub for a wide-ranging conversation about redistricting, the future of the Democratic party and how his military service shaped his views on patriotism, race and America’s role in the world.
Moore also opens up about Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s decision to stay in the presidential race too long, Kamala Harris’ future and why Democrats can’t spend years “studying” voters’ frustrations instead of fixing them.
CORRECTION: The podcast misstates where Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King worked early in their careers. It was WJZ-TV.
5 May 2026
Can JB Pritzker be the Democrats’ anti-Trump in 2028?
Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Chicago’s iconic Manny’s Deli for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the Democratic Party -- and his own.
Plus: a look at Chicago’s political culture, Pritzker’s rise from donor to power broker, and why Manny’s remains a must-stop on the campaign trail.
14 Apr 2026
Gov. Brian Kemp’s blunt warning for Republicans
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at the Masters to talk Trump, 2028 and the upcoming Georgia Senate race. Plus: Kemp on EVs, economic policy and why he’s staying focused on 2026 — not the White House.
24 Mar 2026
Inside Gavin Newsom’s plan to take on Trump
California Gov. Gavin Newsom sat down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin for a wide-ranging conversation about the personal experiences that shaped his political career.
A leading potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, Newsom has been raising his national profile by taking on President Donald Trump and traveling to key early primary states while promoting his new memoir.
In the interview with Martin, Newsom reflects on his upbringing, outlines what he sees at stake for Democrats in 2026 and explains his increasingly aggressive strategy toward Trump.
10 Mar 2026
Sarah Huckabee Sanders on BBQ, politics and sneaking out of the governor’s mansion
POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin sits down with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for a lively conversation about politics, leadership and life growing up in the governor’s mansion. From her time as White House Press Secretary to leading Arkansas today, Sanders shares insights on the Republican Party, U.S.-Israel security and the memories that shaped her journey—all while enjoying some of the state’s best barbecue.
Watch upcoming episodes at politico.com/ontheroad
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6 Mar 2026
Welcome to On the Road with Jonathan Martin
POLITICO Politics Bureau Chief Jonathan Martin is hitting the road! Join him for a series of wide-ranging conversations with key players in American politics on the ground in their home states. They’ll talk about the issues of the day, look ahead to the 2026 political season, and perhaps dig into some local delicacies.
The first episode drops March 10!
Inside a recent episode
Is this the Democrat who could win back the South?
Published 23 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And I don't exactly know how to get out of it. That's part number one. And the second part of it is the system does not work anymore. I'm getting screwed. I'm behind. Now, this is true whether you talk to black people, white people, brown people, men, women, gay people, straight people. And my kids aren't going to have any better. And my kids. See, this is the thing that's really jacking people up. Because most of us, as I said, I have five kids. And if you're a parent, I mean, you're giving up your left arm, your right arm. You're giving up your eye for your kid. And if you don't think your kid's got a shot, then all of a sudden you're kind of like, well, what's going on? […]
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