California Democratic Party

Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled out a plan to speed construction of major public infrastructure and demanded quick votes from lawmakers. His Democratic allies put the proposals on ice.

Sen. Catherine Blakespear appears to be the only member of the California Legislature who has a legal defense fund. She is using it to cover bills from a lawsuit from the time she was Encinitas mayor.

Does anyone else feel like the outcomes of California’s Tuesday election were largely predictable? It’s true that county elections officials still have to tally more than 4.8 million ballots, according to Thursday estimates. And it’s true that some state legislative and U.S. House races are still too close to call, and could remain that way […]

After months of anticipation and buildup, California’s general election came and went — and so far, things don’t look very different than they did before polls closed Tuesday night. But some of the races that could be among the most consequential for the country’s direction have yet to be decided. Early returns tabulated by CalMatters’ […]

In their only scheduled debate, Gov. Gavin Newsom and challenger Brian Dahle clashed on abortion right, homelessness, public schools, the state budget and more. But neither landed a knockout punch.

“It’s hard for any legislator to admit that a policy they championed, and put a lot of money behind, is going to make things worse.” That comment, from San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo, came during a Saturday panel on child care at Politifest, an annual series of debates and discussions hosted by the nonprofit […]

“If people just vote for an R or D then all of our conversations are a waste of time.” Robert Howell, the Republican candidate for California insurance commissioner, shared that somewhat fatalistic sentiment — that voters cast ballots for candidates simply based on the letter designating their party affiliation — in a Los Angeles Times […]

Shut out from winning statewide offices, the state GOP is seeking to capitalize on parents' anger to win local school board races in 2022 and motivate Republican voters. The party's "Parent Revolt" program is its most ambitious school board candidate recruitment and training program ever.

After 10 years, the top-two California primary system is under fire again, but the problems may have more to do with political gamesmanship. A strategy in a state Senate district appears to have backfired.

Republican Lanhee Chen leads the California controller primary, but faces an uphill battle to win in November and break 16-year GOP drought for statewide office. His likely opponent is Malia Cohen, who has the support of labor and the Democratic Party.