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Dan Walters

Opinion Columnist

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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. 

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein gives remarks at the US Capitol on Feb, 1, 2022. Photo by Graeme Sloan, Sipa USA via REUTERS
CalMatters en Español
La senadora Feinstein deberá decidir si se retira
En resumen Con una mala reputación entre los votantes de California y ahora lidiando con la muerte de su esposo, la senadora Dianne Feinstein debe decidir si busca un sexto mandato en 2024. Read this article in English.   ¿Hacía a dónde se dirige Dianne Feinstein? La principal senadora estadounidense de California, un elemento político habitual de […]
By • March 1, 2022
CalMatters en Español
¿Serán las apuestas deportivas el próximo vicio legal de California?
En resumen Uno por uno, California ha ido legalizando vicios que alguna vez fueron tabú. ¿Serán las apuestas deportivas la próxima? Read this article in English.    Durante las últimas décadas, los californianos han adoptado cada vez más actividades que durante mucho tiempo habían sido despreciadas, y a menudo prohibidas, como vicios dañinos. La tendencia comenzó en […]
By • February 28, 2022

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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.