Elections

People wear hats and pins in support of former President Donald Trump during the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on April 23, 2022. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

Politics

Where’s Trump? A campaign fixture in some states, his name is nearly absent in California

Republican candidates across the country are appealing to voters by claiming their allegiance to Donald Trump. But in California, many won't even say if they voted for him.

By

Alexei Koseff

• April 28, 2022

Lanhee Chen, candidate for Controller, gives at interview at CalMatters in Sacramento on Apr. 5, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Politics

What would Lanhee Chen do as California controller?

In a 70-minute interview with CalMatters reporters, Lanhee Chen, the only Republican running for state controller, talks about his priorities and how he would work with Democrats in power.

By

Sameea Kamal

• April 27, 2022

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy speaks during the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on April 23, 2022. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

Politics

Can California Republicans win statewide again?

California Republicans rally at their state convention, hoping to win a statewide office for the first time since 2006 and help the GOP retake control of Congress. But divisions between pro-Trump, conservative and traditional factions were difficult to ignore.

By

Sameea Kamal

and

Alexei Koseff

• April 25, 2022

Police officers escort people following a shooting at a church in Sacramento on Feb. 28, 2022. Crime is a key issue in the race for California attorney general. Photo by Fred Greaves, Reuters

Politics

Can a conservative break through for California attorney general?

Conservatives running for California attorney general make their case to break the Democratic stranglehold on statewide offices since 2006. Eric Early, Nathan Hochman and Anne Marie Schubert say that voters' concern over crime and public safety will help them unseat incumbent Rob Bonta.

By

Ben Christopher

• April 21, 2022

Nathan Hochman, candidate for California attorney general, answers questions from CalMatters reporters.p

Politics

What would Nathan Hochman do as California attorney general?

In a 70-minute interview, Nathan Hochman, a Republican former federal prosecutor, vows to end a "spiral of lawlessness" in California as he runs for attorney general. Hochman is seeking to finish in the top two in the June 7 primary against Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta.

By

Ben Christopher

• April 19, 2022

Senator Brian Dahle, candidate for Governor of California, gives an interview to CalMatters in Sacramento on Apr. 5, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Politics

What would Brian Dahle do as California governor?

In a 90-minute interview, the farmer and state senator from Lassen County talks about crime, climate change and the cost of living, and vows to cooperate with Democrats.

By

Alexei Koseff

• April 18, 2022

Elections

The politics of violence: Will Sacramento shootings influence attorney general’s race?

The recent shootings that killed six in downtown Sacramento underscore the criminal justice divide in the race for California’s attorney general.

By

Nigel Duara

• April 13, 2022

In the 2020 election, four California Congressional seats previously held by Democrats went to the GOP, including the Orange County district won by Republican Rep. Young Kim. The Republican candidates benefited from misinformation spread on social media and partisan news sites. Photo by Philip Cheung

Politics

How GOP used misinformation, partisan news sites to flip California House seats

Political smears helped flip four California Congressional seats in 2020 — distributed by GOP dossiers, partisan news sites, and a social media megaphone. What that might mean for a Newsom recall and 2022 races.

By

Freddy Brewster

and

Katie Licari

• March 26, 2021

Despite widespread and continuing national concerns about election integrity, it’s clear that county registrars of voters in California — the heroes of the 2020 election — made sure every vote was counted. Photos by Lew Griswold; courtesy of Jeannette Logue; Ron Holman, Visalia Times Delta

Elections

Covering elections showed me California votes were secure

Despite continuing national concerns about election integrity, it’s clear that California's county registrars of voters — the heroes of the 2020 election — made sure every vote was counted.

By

Lewis Griswold

• January 15, 2021

Elections

California tackled bad jokes, cybersquatting to protect election

California's election cybersecurity approach shut down notable problems. But public records show its seemingly scattershot approach also ensnared some people who say they were joking.

By

Freddy Brewster

and

Katie Licari

• January 15, 2021