Politics and Elections

How new CA voter demographic milestone will affect upcoming elections

As early ballots arrive in mailboxes this week, Golden State voters will arrive at a symbolic and substantial demographic landmark: a so-called majority-minority electorate. “For the first time, non-Latino whites will fall below 50 percent of the state’s eligible voters,” as the California Civic Engagement Project predicted

Former GOP congressman laying gubernatorial groundwork to avoid mistakes of 2016

Matt Fleming October 5, 2016

Former Republican Congressman Tom Campbell is laying the groundwork for an unspecified Republican candidate in the 2018 gubernatorial race, hoping to avoid what happened in this cycle’s U.S. Senate race where no Republican candidate advanced to the general election. Campbell,

CA golf club suit deepens Trump woes

James Poulos October 4, 2016

Another unflattering story from Donald Trump’s recent past, this one playing out in California, has fueled a fresh round of criticism against his character and his campaign. “After the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes opened for

The San Diego Union-Tribune endorses a Democrat for president, first time ever

Matt Fleming September 30, 2016

For the first time in its 148-year history, The San Diego Union-Tribune endorsed a Democrat for president — Hillary Clinton. San Diego has historically been a reliably Republican county, although Democrats have surpassed Republicans in voter registration, currently holding a

Tobacco-tax fact checks miss the mark

Matt Fleming September 26, 2016

Twice now we’ve seen fact-checkers panning the anti-tobacco tax campaign’s claim in a radio ad that Prop. 56, an increase of $2 per pack on cigarettes and other tobacco and nicotine products, “cheats schools out of at least $600 million

Bill Clinton fills in for ailing Hillary at CA fundraisers

James Poulos September 15, 2016

With a string of key donors left in the lurch by her recent health troubles, Hillary Clinton dispatched her husband Bill to California to fill in. Political fallout “She was forced to leave a 9/11 memorial event in New

Prop. 54 legislative transparency measure faces little opposition

Matt Fleming September 14, 2016

For all the fighting and million-dollar spending over November’s 17 ballot measures, one proposal stands nearly unopposed. Not entirely unopposed, but the committee against a measure aimed at making legislative proceedings in Sacramento more transparent is unfunded and run entirely by the pro

Kamala Harris and Loretta Sanchez race for U.S. Senate hits fever pitch

James Poulos September 13, 2016

With just a few months remaining in the race to replace outgoing Sen. Barbara Boxer, the struggle has sharpened between leading Northern Californian candidate Kamala Harris and the Southland’s Loretta Sanchez. Seeking an edge against her opponent, who’s leading,

Democratic Senate candidate courts the right, walks fine line

Matt Fleming September 1, 2016

On the heels of a Los Angeles Times story saying she was making a play for voters on the right, Democratic Senate candidate Loretta Sanchez is pushing Gov. Jerry Brown to sign a bill increasing minimum penalties in sexual assault cases.

CA Democrats nearly double state Republicans

James Poulos August 30, 2016

California Republicans hit a new low in statewide registration relative to Democrats, whose ranks have surged in the Golden State despite a sour public mood and a less charismatic presidential nominee than in recent election cycles. “The California Democratic Party added