California Democrats

California is a liberal state where politicians enact laws and regulations aimed at improving Californians' lives, but that also makes them susceptible to influence.

Democratic lawmakers are debating how a bill to reduce retail theft would affect Black and Brown Californians. While some say it would unfairly target shoppers, others say jobs are at stake.

In other states, pro-ceasefire Democrats voted “uncommitted” in their presidential primary. That wasn’t possible in California, but protest votes showed up in a few pockets, including Los Angeles.

Progressive Democratic groups that backed Katie Porter or Barbara Lee are blasting Rep. Schiff’s “selfish” tactics in boosting Republican Steve Garvey into the November election. Some also want Schiff to take a stronger stand for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Democrats in Michigan voted “uncommitted” in their presidential primary Tuesday to demonstrate their opposition to the president’s support of Israel in the Gaza war. It isn’t that simple in California’s primary. California leaders with the Council on American-Islamic Relations are calling for Democratic voters to leave the presidential race blank.

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is having a divisive impact on Democratic politics and in academia and California is a forum for the debates.

As more Palestinian civilians are killed in the war, officials are facing tough questions about how well they’re representing California’s Palestinian community. The state now says it hopes to send aid to Gaza this week, and Gov. Newsom plans to meet soon with Arab and Muslim leaders.

Rep. Barbara Lee edged Adam Schiff for the most delegates for the U.S. Senate race. The state Democratic Party convention was divided and disrupted by protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

Newsom, one of California's most liberal governors, rejected many bills favored by the left, giving progressives a handful of victories.

California state Sen. Steve Glazer recently pointed out that his Democratic Party is prone to spending money on problems while ignoring whether it works.