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Elections

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We provide in-depth coverage of California elections with one aim: to give voters what they need to make informed decisions. Our nonpartisan coverage of elections explains key races, candidates, ballot measures and campaign finance.

Elections
Political odd couple: GOP consultant advises Democrat’s bid for governor
One wants to end the death penalty. The other thinks capital punishment is just. One campaigned for tax increases that the other opposed. One tried to put Hillary Clinton in the White House. The other helped elect President George W. Bush. What both men believe, however, is that Latinos—California’s largest ethnic group—suffer disproportionate levels of poverty in part because they barely turn out to vote. That common ground helps form the basis of an unlikely political alliance that could shape the 2018 race to determine the next governor of California. Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa—a former mayor of Los Angeles and speaker of the Assembly—has hired a Republican political consultant to work on his campaign to become California governor.
By • February 23, 2018
California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, left, and Republican political consultant Mike Madrid in the offices of Grassroots Lab in Sacramento, California, November 16, 2017. Photo by Max Whittaker for CALmatters
Elections
Political odd couple: GOP consultant advises Democrat’s bid for governor
One wants to end the death penalty. The other thinks capital punishment is just. One campaigned for tax increases that the other opposed. One tried to put Hillary Clinton in the White House. The other helped elect President George W. Bush. What both men believe, however, is that Latinos—California’s largest ethnic group—suffer disproportionate levels of poverty in part because they barely turn out to vote. That common ground helps form the basis of an unlikely political alliance that could shape the 2018 race to determine the next governor of California. Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa—a former mayor of Los Angeles and speaker of the Assembly—has hired a Republican political consultant to work on his campaign to become California governor.
By • November 22, 2017
Education
School building bonanza—but new dollars might not reach poor districts
It’s tough for California voters to say no to more money for school construction. They almost always approve state bond requests, and this month they passed a $9 billion package that backers promised would help pay for repairs and upgrades needed to preserve students’ access to safe, modern classrooms. Unlike previous bonds, however, Prop. 51 […]
By • November 22, 2016

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