Capitol

The resignation of California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman is a sign that the #MeToo story is far from over.

Jim Wood is tackling two enormous, heart-wrenching puzzles: identifying the people who perished this month in California’s deadliest wildfire and figuring out what state policies could prevent such catastrophes in the future.

The California Legislature, controlled by Democrats for decades, is likely to become even bluer when the new class is sworn in next month. That means the prevailing tension in the statehouse probably won’t be between Republicans and Democrats—but between different shades of liberalism. And it could make for some counterintuitive outcomes, once the results are tallied, including a Legislature that skews more toward business on some fights.

In following Jerry Brown, Gavin Newsom will face a tension other recent governors have not: to both follow the path carved by his predecessor while also living up to his campaign slogan, “courage for a change.”

Here's why this development could affect the state GOP's chances on Tuesday.

The California Democratic Party no longer accepts donations from the oil industry—but that hasn’t stopped oil companies from spending millions to help California Democrats win on Tuesday.

He sided with victims’ advocates in some cases, signing bills that put California at the forefront of clamping down on harassment. In other cases he sided with employers, vetoing bills they said were too onerous.

Sen. Joel Anderson was drunk and rubbing a lobbyist's shoulders during a political fundraiser at a steakhouse near the Capitol last month when he leaned in close and told her he wanted to "bitch slap" her.

The Legislature's response to a former employee's lawsuit is the latest example in its history of arguing that lawmakers don’t have to follow the laws they pass.

State Sen. John Moorlach put a woman in a headlock and gave her a “noogie” while they were posing for a photo at a reception—something he said he does frequently in good fun, according to investigative records released Friday by the state Senate. “While your behavior… does not appear to be sexual in nature, it […]