California Democratic Party

An elephant sitting in a hammock on the beach and look at sea.

WhatMatters

Gas taxes, crisis beds, a gun tax, a Reagan remembrance, a GOP loss, and CCPOA’s $2 million headache

California leads the way in gas taxes. Cut in Sonoma County crisis beds alarms law enforcement. Regan son-in-law urges perspective on racist comment.

By

Dan Morain

and

Barbara Harvey

• August 5, 2019

Democratic presidential candidates Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Kamala Harris before the start of the Democratic primary debate hosted by NBC News at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Miami.

Elections

See which Dem your California neighbors are funding to beat Trump, in 5 charts

By the numbers: Which Democratic presidential challenger has raised the most from Californians this year-to-date? This past quarter? Last month? Who's leading in donations from more zip codes—and in each zip code? We break it down for you.

By

Ben Christopher

• July 16, 2019

Oakland Council member At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan energizes the crowd by sounding the shofar during a pro-rent control rally on Monday, April 23, 2018. That November, a majority of California voters rejected Proposition 10, which would have reduced restrictions on rent control.

Housing

Poll: To tackle housing crisis, most Californians would limit local control

By a significant margin, a majority of Californians want the state Legislature to force local governments to build more housing. They're in for a disappointment.

By

Ben Christopher

• June 5, 2019

With California hosting the greatest gathering of 2020 Democratic presidential contenders to date, national networks such as CBS are covering the state party convention in San Francisco.

Newsletters

Presidential politics, what was unsaid, and a scary moment

Democratic presidential hopefuls shop for California support but steer clear of state issues. Kamala Harris has a scary moment. Democrats get new leader.

By

Dan Morain

• June 3, 2019

Delegates at the California Democratic Convention in San Francisco snap selfies with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who's once again seeking the party's nomination for president. Photo by Elizabeth Castillo for CALmatters

Elections

California Democrats loudly lean left—but quietly make a safe choice

California's Democratic convention delegates cheered presidential contenders who said there was no middle group on climate change, single-payer health care and other progressive goals, and jeered at two moderates who disagreed—booing one for saying "socialism is not the answer." But as the party elected a new chairman and turned its attention to the 2020 election, they made what many considered a "safe choice."

By

Ben Christopher

• June 2, 2019

Democratic delegates rally in the downstairs lobby at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco where California Democrats held their convention this weekend. Photo by Ben Christopher for CALmatters

Elections

Cal Dems pick labor leader as chairman—plus convention highs and lows

For the second time in a row, the California Democratic Party favored a labor-backed candidate from Los Angeles to be its chairman—although tonight’s (not-yet-certified) win for Rusty Hicks was by a stronger margin than many expected. The preliminary totals showed labor leader Hicks garnering 57% of the vote, and he claimed victory, telling supporters: “I’m […]

By

Elizabeth Castillo

and

Ben Christopher

• June 1, 2019

Politics

Crib sheet: How 14 presidential wannabes are crafting their pitch to California Dems

As more than a dozen presidential contenders spend the weekend selling themselves at the state Democratic Party’s annual confab in San Francisco, most of their speeches have been stump classics—with little mention of California or its uniquely influential role in the coming primary election. But for Golden State voters looking for some California-specific attention, here’s […]

By

Elizabeth Castillo

and

Ben Christopher

• June 1, 2019

California's move to near the front of the 2020 primary season is altering the campaign. USA flag with palm trees and sunset in the background.

Elections

Californians can be nation’s first to cast 2020 primary ballots—and that’s shaking up presidential race

In the first vital weeks of the primary season, candidates will be wooing a population that is more diverse, more urban and much bigger than they have in the past. That's thanks to California.

By

Ben Christopher

• May 31, 2019

California Democrats brace for their annual convention. Image by Don DeBold via Flickr

Newsletters

Gas-powered engines, Democrats’ turmoil, and clean water

r Resources Board chair delivers message to auto industry. Proposed clean water tax hits snag. California Democrats prepare to elect new chair.

By

Dan Morain

• May 28, 2019

Politics

Democrats in California have all the power—and much of the turmoil

You might think a political party racked by scandal, facing three lawsuits and riven with infighting would be in a bad spot politically. But, according to plenty of close observers, the California Democratic Party is doing just fine.

By

Ben Christopher

• May 24, 2019