Elections

Gov. Gavin Newsom during a press conference where he signed new gun legislation into law at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on Sept. 26, 2023.

Politics

Gavin Newsom’s MAGA-curious podcast mystifies listeners — and sets Democratic lawmakers on edge

Gavin Newsom's podcast launch baffles allies and critics alike as the governor disappears from public events, raising questions about his leadership priorities and political future.

By

Alexei Koseff

• March 20, 2025

A wall covered in political campaign signs featuring various candidates and slogans, predominantly promoting "Corrin Rankin for CRP Chair" along with other names running for different positions. A water fountain is visible in the background. Two people walk past the display, slightly blurred in motion, one wearing a red and white patterned outfit with red boots.

Politics

California Republicans say they’re making a comeback. Can they keep Trump at arm’s length?

California Republicans vie to capitalize on their November victories and break Democratic supermajority while balancing Trump's influence

By

Jeanne Kuang

• March 17, 2025

A speaker stands at a podium labeled "CADEM California Democratic Party," delivering a speech with a hand gesture. The background features dark blue curtains and a California state flag. In the foreground, an audience member holds up a phone to capture the moment. The lighting highlights the speaker against the dimly lit backdrop.

Politics

Katie Porter enters race for California governor promising to stand up to Donald Trump

Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter is the latest politician joining the competitive 2026 race for California governor. All eyes are on former Vice President Kamala Harris.

By

Alexei Koseff

• March 11, 2025

Two voters cast their ballots at a vote center, in Huntington Beach Sept. 14, 2021. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Elections

New California voter ID ban puts conservative cities at odds with state

A new law prohibits local governments from mandating voter identification, but Huntington Beach is fighting back.

By

Alexei Koseff

• December 20, 2024

Elections

Gambling companies spent big to defeat three California lawmakers. ‘We want to be respected’

California’s card room industry spent over $3 million targeting four lawmakers as payback for their votes on a gambling bill. Three of the lawmakers lost.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• December 10, 2024

A man in a red tie and suit is gesturing to a crowd while on stage behind bulletproof glass at a political rally.

Elections

Did your county back Trump more this time than in 2020?

The president-elect increased his vote share in 45 of 58 California counties in 2024. And Kamala Harris won 1.8 million fewer votes statewide than Joe Biden in 2020.

By

Jeremia Kimelman

• December 5, 2024

A person wearing blue medical gloves lifts up a ballot while they sit in front of a table with blue and red boxes filled with voter ballots. Another person working nearby can be seen in the foreground.

Capitol

California has a new Legislature — while votes are still being counted

A bill would give county election offices more resources and guidance to speed up the notoriously slow vote count in California. State legislators take the oath office before the results are certified.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• December 2, 2024

A person driving a car extends their hand out the window to insert their ballot envelope into a drop box being held by an election worker. The back of another election worker can be seen nearby.

Politics

California’s Republican caucus is growing and more diverse, but it’s a long way from power

While Democrats retain a supermajority, experts say Republican wins – and an increasingly diverse GOP Caucus – signal potential shifts in voter sentiment among non white voters

By

Ryan Sabalow

• November 27, 2024

Stacks of purple and white mail-in ballot envelopes sit on a stable as election workers sort them. The arms and hands of the workers are visible, but the faces are not. The focus is on the ballots.

Elections

California’s slow vote count sows doubt. Here’s how one group is trying to fix that

The California Voter Foundation launched a tool tracking daily vote counts in 18 close contests for Congress and the state Legislature. The tracker aims to show how counts change over time and dispel misinformation about election fraud, the group says.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• November 20, 2024

A person with white hair and wearing a grey shirt uses a paint roller to paint a yellow brick wall in an alley.

Politics

‘A pivotal moment?’ Why many Latino voters in California chose Trump

In part due to economic and border security concerns, Latinos in California appear to have moved toward Donald Trump. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re abandoning the Democratic Party.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• November 15, 2024