Politics and Elections

Battleground 2016: Top Legislative Races

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on July 19. Republicans in the state Legislature are thought to have a challenging election cycle this year. The outcome in November will determine whether the GOP has enough seats in the state

Prop. 66 caps death penalty appeals at five years. So then what happens?

Matt Fleming November 4, 2016

Next week, voters will consider not one but two measures involving the death penalty — one speeds up the process while the other would stop it entirely. If approved, Prop. 62 would repeal the death penalty and commute the condemned sentences

California voters poised to legalize marijuana

James Poulos November 4, 2016

Despite a mixed bag of support for the many propositions on California’s voluminous ballot, legalized recreational in-state marijuana use appears to be headed from far-off dream to dawning reality. “Last month, the two most prestigious California public opinion outfits

CA GOP pivots to save down ballot races

James Poulos November 3, 2016

The shifts and splits that have long beleaguered the California Republican Party have culminated in historic unpopularity this election year, presenting officials with an open question as to how the party can best retool in the wake of Donald

Democrats leave incumbent assemblywoman high and dry

Matt Fleming November 1, 2016

Parties and legislative leaders always protect their incumbents. Well, maybe not always, as is the case with Assemblywoman Patty Lopez, a pariah in the Democratic Party since she knocked off Raul Bocanegra, a popular incumbent, two years ago. Up for re-election

Senate leader’s endorsement of Prop. 63 ammo measure lacks backstory

Matt Fleming October 27, 2016

When Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon endorsed Proposition 63 last week, he didn’t mention the endorsement was conditional. This summer, the Los Angeles Democrat ushered through the Legislature a measure that substantially amends in advance the ballot measure’s

Leaked emails show Clinton aides considered moving CA primary election

Matt Fleming October 21, 2016

Prominent Democratic strategists who would eventually get top posts in Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign debated the political strategy of moving the date of California’s primary election, according to hacked emails recently released by WikiLeaks. In December 2014, prior to Clinton announcing

New poll shows uphill battle to end California death penalty

James Poulos October 21, 2016

Despite a broad trend toward increasing skepticism and opposition around capital punishment, California’s ballot initiative ending the practice faces a steep climb heading into November. The Institute for Social Research at Sacramento State University, through the CALSPEAKS public-opinion project, found that

California Democrats tar opponents with Trump

James Poulos October 21, 2016

California Democrats have centered around a handful of Republican challengers they hope to tar with Donald Trump’s brush. Assemblymen Dante Acosta, R-San Bernardino, David Hadley, R-Torrance and Marc Steinorth, R-Redlands, Assemblywoman Young Kim, R-Fullerton, and state Senate candidate Mike Antonovich have all

Sanchez hits Harris’ record on mortgage settlement in Senate race

Matt Fleming October 20, 2016

Loretta Sanchez on Thursday attacked Kamala Harris’ record on the 2012 mortgage crisis settlement, saying it was not the major accomplishment the state’s attorney general claims. The two Democrats are running for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat. With the election