Maya C. Miller covers politics and government accountability for CalMatters, with one eye on the state Legislature and the other on California’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. She will help lead CalMatters’ coverage of campaigns, voters and elections in the run-up to the 2026 midterms.
Maya came to CalMatters in June 2025 by way of the New York Times, where she covered Congressas the David E. Rosenbaum fellow in Washington, D.C. She hit the 2024 campaign trail and delivered deeply reported stories from five different states across the country. From Nebraska, a deep red state, Maya introduced readers to an independent candidate –– a mechanic with no political experience –– who nearly unseated Republican Senator Deb Fischer after riding a populist wave. And in Maine, she showed readers how Representative Jared Golden, a three-term Democrat, persuaded Trump voters in his in his conservative-leaning district to split their tickets.
From the halls of the Capitol, Maya reported on how constituents overwhelmed the Congressional phone system shortly after President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration as outraged Democrats and energized Republicans tried to get the ear of their elected officials. She covered House Republicans’ herculean effort to pass Trump’s ambitious domestic policy agenda and also explained how the G.O.P. ‘s unprecedented repeal of California’s Clean Air Act waivers threatened to blow another hole in the filibuster.
Maya graduated from Duke University with a degree in public policy. She grew up in Des Moines and credits the Iowa caucuses with sparking her love for journalism and current events.
California Republicans are suing again to try and keep Gov. Newsom and Democrats’ redistricting plan off voters’ ballots. President Trump floated the idea of suing, too
Many California Democrats are reluctant to give up the state's independently drawn congressional districts, but they say it's a necessary step to counter gerrymanders in Republican states.
Texas and President Donald Trump struck first in a gerrymandering battle that could tilt the 2026 midterms. That puts California Republicans in a bind as they contest Gov. Gavin Newsom's redistricting.
La abogada de inmigración que representó a un padre de tres hijos militares detenido por ICE en el condado de Orange es el último demócrata en desafiar al representante republicano Young Kim en un distrito que podría verse más rojo por la manipulación electoral del gobernador Gavin Newsom.
An immigration attorney who represented an ICE-detained Orange County father of three military sons is the latest Democrat to challenge Republican Rep. Young Kim in a district that could be drawn redder by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gerrymander.
California Democrats used a common legislative tactic called "gut and amend" to rush legislation for a special election on new election maps. Republicans say that violates the state constitution.
California counties are scrambling to prepare for Gov. Gavin Newsom's special election on redrawing congressional districts for the 2026 midterm. The effort will cost tens of millions of dollars.
After years of cracking down on California’s oil industry, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative Democrats are moving to get Kern County wells pumping again to avoid soaring gasoline prices.
Labor unions are trying once again to regulate self-checkout lanes at California stores. This year’s bill waters down a version that died last session, but businesses still warn it will increase costs and lead to consumer frustration.
Maya C. Miller covers politics and government accountability for CalMatters, with one eye on the state Legislature and the other on California's congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. She will help lead CalMatters' coverage of campaigns, voters and elections in the run-up to the 2026 midterms. Maya came to CalMatters in June 2025 by way of the New York Times, where she covered Congress as the David E. Rosenbaum fellow in Washington, D.C. She hit the 2024 campaign trail and delivered deeply reported stories from five different states across the country. From Nebraska, a deep red state, Maya introduced readers to an independent candidate –– a mechanic with no political experience –– who nearly unseated Republican Senator Deb Fischer after riding a populist wave. And in Maine, she showed readers how Representative Jared Golden, a three-term Democrat, persuaded Trump voters in his in his conservative-leaning district to split their tickets. From the halls of the Capitol, Maya reported on how constituents overwhelmed the Congressional phone system shortly after President Donald J. Trump's inauguration as outraged Democrats and energized Republicans tried to get the ear of their elected officials. She covered House Republicans' herculean effort to pass Trump's ambitious domestic policy agenda and also explained how the G.O.P. 's unprecedented repeal of California's Clean Air Act waivers threatened to blow another hole in the filibuster. Prior to the New York Times, Maya reported for The Sacramento Bee, where she resurrected the dormant state worker beat, reported closely on contract negotiations and pioneered a newsletter that informed more than 250,000 civil servants in California. She has also reported for The Seattle Times, the Minnesota Star Tribune and the Des Moines Register. Maya graduated from Duke University with a degree in public policy. She grew up in Des Moines and credits the Iowa caucuses with sparking her love for journalism and current events. Languages spoken: Spanish (conversational)