election 2024

Laphonza Butler during her swearing-in ceremony to the U.S. Senate at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on Oct. 3, 2023

Politics

Labor forged Laphonza Butler. Could unions ‘sling-shot’ her Senate bid?

If California's new U.S. senator runs in the 2024 election, she would likely have to court labor unions' support, quickly. But with three other labor-friendly Democrats already winning union backing, time and resources are running out.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• October 9, 2023

Flanked by lawmakers and gun safety advocates, Gov. Gavin Newsom signs new gun legislation into law at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on Sept. 26, 2023.

WhatMatters

Which big California bills did Newsom veto?

Up against an Oct. 14 deadline and with more than 700 bills on his desk heading into the weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom decided the fate of bills — a lot of bills. The governor’s office put out a big batch of nearly 150 actions on Saturday, a second one on Sunday of about 130 and […]

By

Lynn La

• October 9, 2023

Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler speaks during a political event with reproductive rights groups at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on June 23, 2023. Photo by Evelyn Hockstein. Reuters

Politics

How Laphonza Butler could reshape California’s U.S. Senate race

Gov. Newsom's pick to replace the late Dianne Feinstein is set to be sworn in today as California's U.S. senator. She isn't saying whether she will run next year, but if she does, it would change the dynamics of the U.S. Senate race.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• October 3, 2023

Laphonza Butler, President of EMILY's List, during an abortion bill signing ceremony in Michigan on April 5, 2023. Michigan overturned a 1931 law banning abortion without exceptions for rape or incest and allowing doctors and nurses who offer reproductive care to be prosecuted. Photo by Carlos Osorio, AP Photo

WhatMatters

Will Laphonza Butler run in California’s 2024 election?

Gov. Gavin Newsom did not make his pick to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein promise not to run for a full term in 2024. So as Laphonza Butler prepares to get sworn into office today, that’s the big question hanging over her — and the U.S. Senate race next year. As CalMatters’ new politics […]

By

Lynn La

• October 3, 2023

Laphonza Butler, President of EMILY's List, speaks during an event in Washington on June 23, 2023. Photo by Susan Walsh, AP Photo

WhatMatters

Newsom’s pick to replace Feinstein: Laphonza Butler

Late Sunday evening, Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed that Laphonza Butler, president of EMILYs List — a political action committee focused on electing pro-choice, Democratic women — will replace the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and finish out her term through 2024. As CalMatters’ state Capitol reporter Alexei Koseff explains, Butler for many years was the […]

By

Lynn La

• October 2, 2023

Politics

Newsom picks Laphonza Butler, political ally and power player, to replace Feinstein

The governor says he's not stopping the president of EMILY's List and former University of California regent from running for a full term in the 2024 election. He rebuffed pressure to appoint Rep. Barbara Lee.

By

Alexei Koseff

• October 1, 2023

Former President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd of supporters during the California GOP Fall 2023 Convention at Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim on Sept. 29, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

Politics

Trump to California Republicans: ‘No way we lose this state in a real election’

The former president railed against Democrats and again claimed the 2020 election was rigged in his speech to the California Republican Party. With him skipping the primary debates, the party convention may get the next best thing, with speeches also by Sen. Tim Scott and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

By

Sameea Kamal

• September 29, 2023

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat of California, waves to delegates as she walks on stage at the Democratic National Convention in Boston on July 26, 2004. Photo by Shannon Stapleton, AP Photo

Commentary

Dianne Feinstein always did things her way in long political career

Dianne Feinstein, who died Thursday night, will be remembered as a trailblazing politician who always insisted on doing things her way.

By

Dan Walters

• September 29, 2023

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California., speaks during a hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 3, 2021. Photo by Greg Nash/Pool Photo via AP

Politics

With the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whom will Newsom appoint?

The death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein means that Gov. Newsom has to decide who will fill her seat. He has said he would appoint a caretaker, not one of the three Democrats who are already running.

By

Alexei Koseff

• September 29, 2023

The California Republican Party Convention in Sacramento on March 11, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Politics

Why California Republicans are facing a moment of truth

GOP leaders and activists will hear Friday from Donald Trump and other presidential candidates before deciding whether to change the party platform on abortion and same-sex marriage.

By

Sameea Kamal

• September 28, 2023

Election 2024