Politics and Elections

Tom Steyer impeachment push sets him up for Feinstein challenge

Veteran California Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s bid for re-election could prompt a challenge from a second fellow Democrat – San Francisco hedge fund billionaire turned activist Tom Steyer – who also believes she’s insufficiently opposed to President Donald Trump. California Senate President Kevin

Eric Garcetti – like Kamala Harris – may have White House on mind

Chris Reed October 23, 2017

California Sen. Kamala Harris’ splashy first year in Washington has made her a fixture on lists of potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidates – and not as an interesting long shot but as someone with a strong chance. While the California Legislature’s

California Democrats brace for intra-party battle after Kevin de León announces bid to unseat Feinstein

Drew Gregory Lynch October 16, 2017

Amid intense calls from progressives for a primary opponent for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., state Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León confirmed Sunday he will mount a challenge against the longtime incumbent, setting up a rare fight among Democrats

After Feinstein announces run for re-election, progressives push for a primary challenger

Drew Gregory Lynch October 11, 2017

Just hours after U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., announced she was running for re-election, progressives in the state called for a primary challenge to the long-serving Democrat. For example, Bay Area Congressman Ro Khanna, D-Calif., reportedly asked Rep. Barbara Lee,

Officials wrestle with ways to boost California’s voter turnout

Steven Greenhut October 4, 2017

SACRAMENTO – Does California have a voter turnout problem? The state’s voter-turnout rates hit the skids in the 2014 election cycles, with only 25 percent of registered voters casting a ballot in the June primary and only 42 percent voting

With move to ‘Super Tuesday,’ California looks to increase influence on presidential primary

Drew Gregory Lynch October 3, 2017

In an effort to bolster its relevance during the next presidential election, Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a new law moving California’s primary from June to early March. A March primary gives the Golden State an opportunity to be political

San Diego mayor offers suggestions for future of state GOP

Steven Greenhut August 16, 2017

SACRAMENTO – Even Republicans admit the state GOP is something of a rudderless ship these days. The party doesn’t control any constitutional offices. Democrats have supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature. Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley,

New flare-ups in progressives’ summer of discontent

Chris Reed August 10, 2017

The California progressive movement’s summer of discontent continues, with anger still on display over the abrupt withdrawal of a single-payer health care bill and over the May election of a party insider as California Democratic chairman. This week, the Associated

Democrats again outspend GOP in California primary races

James Poulos July 11, 2017

While maintaining a marked edge in legislative representation across the state, California Democrats notched a different but familiar distinction against Republicans in the 2016 election cycle, new data showed. Consistent with the results of previous races since the implementation

Gas tax recall effort for Josh Newman grows

James Poulos May 18, 2017

Perceived as the most vulnerable of the legislative Democrats who passed Gov. Jerry Brown’s gas and vehicle tax package by a razor-thin margin, freshman state Sen. Josh Newman, D-Fullerton, faced an intensifying campaign to turn him out of office, potentially