Avatar photo

Dan Walters

Opinion Columnist

Contact Latest Stories

Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends. He began covering California politics in 1975, just as Jerry Brown began his first stint as governor, and began writing his column in 1981, first for the Sacramento Union for three years, then for The Sacramento Bee for 33 years and now for CalMatters since 2017. 

Dan is also the author or co-author of two books about California, “The New California: Facing the 21st Century” and “The Third House: Lobbyists, Money and Power in Sacramento.” He is a frequent radio show guest and occasionally appears on national television, commenting on California issues. 

Walters began his career in 1960 at the Humboldt Times in Eureka, California, a month before his 17th birthday, first as a newsroom aide and later as a police beat reporter. Having found his calling, he not only turned down a National Merit college scholarship but dropped out of high school, lacking one required class – ironically civics – to qualify for a diploma. Before moving to Sacramento to cover politics, he was the managing editor of three small daily newspapers. He has two adult daughters and three grandsons. 

Contact

Email X

Latest Stories

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
Commentary
The SF-LA economic gap is growing wider
The socioeconomic disparity between the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles metropolitan area was wide before COVID-19 struck and the gap is widening as the pandemic takes its toll.
By • May 27, 2020
California state capitol with trees
CalMatters en Español
Comentario: California estaría alcanzando su pico de población
Hello! We’re publishing more of our work in Spanish to better serve our diverse state. Make sure to click here to read the article in English. Cuando California, con 17 millones de residentes, superó a Nueva York para convertirse en el estado más poblado de la nación en 1962, ese fue un motivo de celebración. El estado […]
By • May 21, 2020
California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
Commentary
A not-so-special election
A Republican won a special election for a Southern California congressional seat this month, but it would be incorrect to read too much into the outcome.
By • May 20, 2020

Gift this article

Dan Walters - CalMatters
Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends.
CalMatters
California, explained
Dan Walters
Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends. He began covering California politics in 1975, just as Jerry Brown began his first stint as governor, and began writing his column in 1981, first for the Sacramento Union for three years, then for The Sacramento Bee for 33 years and now for CalMatters since 2017. Dan is also the author or co-author of two books about California, “The New California: Facing the 21st Century” and “The Third House: Lobbyists, Money and Power in Sacramento.” He is a frequent radio show guest and occasionally appears on national television, commenting on California issues. Walters began his career in 1960 at the Humboldt Times in Eureka, California, a month before his 17th birthday, first as a newsroom aide and later as a police beat reporter. Having found his calling, he not only turned down a National Merit college scholarship but dropped out of high school, lacking one required class – ironically civics – to qualify for a diploma. Before moving to Sacramento to cover politics, he was the managing editor of three small daily newspapers. He has two adult daughters and three grandsons.