Politics and Elections

Is climate a winning issue for Tom Steyer?

Can the climate vote? According to National Journal, billionaire hedge-fund maestro Tom Steyer is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. In a discussion on Reddit, he said: Steyer defended his

L.A. could consolidate elections

John Seiler January 16, 2015

Los Angeles is considering holding its local elections at the same time as national ones. According to the L.A. Times, “Charter Amendments 1 and 2 would consolidate city and school board contests with state and federal elections starting in 2020.

Sanchez vs. Harris to replace Boxer?

John Seiler January 16, 2015

Attorney General Kamala Harris’ high-speed rail trip to the U.S. Senate might face a block on the tracks. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Santa Ana, is considering a run. When I was at the Orange County Register, we met with her numerous

State Senate 21: Runner seeks to reclaim seat

John January 15, 2015

Sharon Runner, a former High Desert state lawmaker and “walking miracle,” is asking voters to send her back to the California Senate. After declining to seek reelection in 2012, due to a life-threatening autoimmune disease, Runner was replaced by fellow Republican Steve Knight.

Race is on for 37th state Senate District

John Seiler January 15, 2015

The race is on to fill three vacant state Senate seats. According to Gov. Jerry Brown’s office, he just issued “proclamations declaring special elections for the 7th, 21st and 37th Senate Districts of the State of California.” The primary will

Kamala Harris to run for U.S. Senate

John Seiler January 13, 2015

Today California Attorney General Kamala Harris will announce her candidacy for U.S. Senate. She seeks to replace Sen. Barbara Boxer, who last week announced her retirement. Both are Democrats. Even though the election is more than 21 months away, it’s

Boxer’s departure draws CA contenders

James Poulos January 13, 2015

Sen. Barbara Boxer’s announcement last week she wouldn’t seek re-election in 2016 provided ambitious California Democrats a rare new opening for statewide office. With a number of well-known political figures contemplating a run to replace her, the future of the state Democratic

Harry Jaffa, RIP

John Seiler January 12, 2015

Harry Jaffa, 96, died on Saturday. He was one of the rare persons who combined an influential academic career with activism in politics, in particular the Goldwater Movement of 1964. Professor Emeritus at Claremont McKenna College and Claremont Graduate University

Brown’s budget draws careful criticism

James Poulos January 10, 2015

Fresh from his historic inauguration to a fourth term as governor, Jerry Brown unveiled his proposed 2015 budget with a Friday press conference that swiftly attracted reactions from Sacramento and beyond. All told, Brown envisions a general fund totaling $113.3 billion.

CA Democrats jockey to replace Boxer

John January 9, 2015

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer’s retirement announcement couldn’t come soon enough for the next generation of California Democrats, who’ve eagerly waited for the chance to move up. The 2016 election, according to the Associated Press, will be “a free-for-all among a new