California lawmakers deliver major Democratic climate, housing and labor wins to Newsom

California leaders wrapped this year’s legislative session Saturday afternoon, prolonged by last-minute backroom deals on climate and energy, sparking deep frustration among some lawmakers. Read More

Gavin Newsom takes on Trump at his own game: From the Politics Desk

Newsom has put California at the center of Democrats’ campaign against a Trump-backed effort in Texas to pad the GOP’s U.S. House majority, countering with a rare, mid-decade redistricting proposal of ... Read More

Why California's political class is begging Alex Padilla to run for governor

The 2026 contest is California’s most competitive governor’s race in decades, and many Democrats are still searching for an alternative to former Rep. Katie Porter, who rose to prominence with her ... Read More

California Politics 360: Charlie Kirk’s impact on California

Charlie Kirk’s assassination rattled lawmakers from both parties in California. The state’s youngest lawmaker, 29-year-old Republican Assemblyman David Tangipa, joined California Politics 360 to talk ... Read More

Law enforcement agencies in California have to report how they use weapons during protests. Many don’t

The law requires that agencies report on their use of less-lethal weapons and resulting injuries. More than a year later, Ramirez still doesn’t know who fired the projectile that hit him in the head, ... Read More

Republicans could have an election edge even if California redraws House maps

As a result, said Inside Elections, “With new maps in Texas, Ohio, Missouri, and potentially Indiana, and Florida, Republicans could gain as many as 13 or 14 seats thanks to redistricting alone. Add ... Read More

Newsom unveils California redistricting effort to counter Trump-backed push in Texas

Democratic Gov. Newsom teams with congressional leaders to unveil strategy against GOP efforts to create Republican-friendly districts in multiple states. Read More

'We must reject political violence': Newsom, CA leaders respond to Charlie Kirk killing

Turning Point USA founder and conservative leader Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, prompting quick condemnation from Gov. Gavin Newsom ... Read More

Poll: Most Americans oppose political parties drawing election lines

National majorities of Democrats and Republicans, as well as majorities in both Texas and California, prefer nonpartisan commissions over political parties in power to run redistricting. Read More

Fabulously wealthy and politically lame — a brief history of California politics

Over the past half-century, rich political neophytes have consistently tried and failed to be elected governor or U.S. senator. What makes California so inhospitable to the upper-crust aspirants? Read More

A new era of American political violence is upon us

The job of all Americans now is to reject political violence “out loud over and over and over again,” Wintemute said, and to realize that, if they are deeply opposed to political policies or the Trump ... Read More

Remembering California’s 'progressive warrior': The legacy of John Burton

The longtime Democratic lawmaker and state party chair died Sunday at the age of 92. A former Bee reporter who co-authored Burton’s memoir remembered his colorful language and desire to work across ... Read More