california democrats

A person wearing a navy blue suit, white dress shirt, and dark tie speaks passionately at a press conference, gesturing forward with one hand. The background features surfboard-shaped artwork in muted colors and part of a white wall with decorative molding.

Commentary

Newsom’s congressional redistricting drive in California faces political and legal hurdles

Democratic gerrymandering of California’s districts will not be as easy as Republican gerrymandering in Texas. Apart from persuading voters, there are looming political and legal battles.

By

Dan Walters

• August 12, 2025

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. annual convention during the 71st biennial Boule at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas on July 10, 2024. Photo by LM Otero, AP Photo

Commentary

With Kamala Harris out, who will emerge as frontrunner in California governor’s race?

With Kamala Harris out of the picture, the field remains crowded in the race for California governor. There is no clear frontrunner and at least one more potential candidate lurking.

By

Dan Walters

• August 5, 2025

A person uses a smartphone to browse an online clothing store. The screen displays a product page for a denim jacket with a shearling collar priced at $219. The individual is about to tap the "Buy it now" button, with one hand holding the phone and the other poised to make the selection. The background is softly blurred, suggesting a home setting with natural light filtering in through windows.

Politics

Should Lyft and Uber charge more if your battery is low? California may soon ban that

California lawmakers want to ban companies from using data about consumers’ devices like battery life, model and geolocation to set fluctuating prices. Proponents say such “surveillance pricing” is discriminatory.

By

Maya C. Miller

• August 4, 2025

Politics

Newsom ramps up California redistricting threat as Texas weighs new Republican maps

As Texas moves forward with an off-cycle redistricting to shore up Republicans’ narrow House majority, Gov. Gavin Newsom is plotting a Democratic response in California. But the state’s independent redistricting commission is a major obstacle.

By

Alexei Koseff

• July 25, 2025

A person — wearing a black suit and a red-pattern tie — smiles and stands in front of office chairs behind the dais of a legislative room at the U.S. capitol.

Politics

Teacher enters crowded race to topple Rep. Ken Calvert, with Barbara Boxer’s blessing

Katherine Aleman, who teaches middle school English language learners in Corona, is the latest Democrat to challenge GOP Rep. Ken Calvert in the state’s 41st Congressional District, one of the country’s most crowded and closest races.

By

Maya C. Miller

• July 21, 2025

A huge crowd of people gather around a small group of lawmakers standing near a pole with a sign that reads "California" during a national convention event inside a stadium venue. People in the crowd hold up their phones to take photos or hold blue and red signs that read "freedom."

Commentary

California’s politics drifts rightward while New York’s leans left

In contrast to New York voters favoring a "democratic socialist," Californians chose moderate politicians like Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.

By

Dan Walters

• July 4, 2025

Politics

Sacramento police release search warrant in California senator’s DUI investigation

CalMatters obtained the search warrant from Sen. Sabrina Cervantes’ DUI investigation. Here’s what it says.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• June 24, 2025

A photo of a man in a blue suit walking through a doorway into a hallway inside the U.S. Capitol building. The man is walking by a door with a window that shows his face reflected in the glass.

Politics

Eight candidates take run at longtime lawmaker in Inland Empire’s swing district

Rep. Ken Calvert has represented the 41st Congressional District more than 30 years, but redistricting has made his seat competitive. Seven Democrats and a Republican are challenging him.

By

Deborah Brennan

• May 28, 2025

Three pelicans glide through the still waters of a marsh near partially submerged branches, while a line of cars and trucks travels along a narrow stretch of Highway 37 in the background. Industrial cranes and silhouettes of distant hills are visible through the haze, suggesting a mix of natural and developed environments.

Politics

California wine country traffic jam fuels fight over endangered mice, marsh birds

A bill by Assemblymember Lori Wilson could help finally break the Highway 37 gridlock despite worries about harming endangered species.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• May 7, 2025

A person with long blonde hair and wearing a black blazer with a white shirt looks to their right as they sit in front of a wooden desk surrounded by other people.

Commentary

Clash over teen sex solicitation reveals the rift within the California Democratic Party

The image that emerges after a recent dustup over a bill seeking to increase penalties for sex solicitation is one of a Democratic Party at war with itself as the governor tries to distance himself from his party’s leftish tendencies.

By

Dan Walters

• May 6, 2025

California Democrats