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Porter distances herself from influencer tied to Swalwell allegations
2 days ago•Source: CBS News
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5.79 min•11 days ago
Swalwell seals union backing as Trump-era FBI drama shadows California governor race
Eric Swalwell lands a major labor endorsement (CTA) for his California gubernatorial bid, giving him a key boost in a divided field. The weekend also spotlighted a Washington Post report that Kash Patel is pushing to release a decade-old FBI file related to Swalwell’s ties to a suspected Chinese operative, a move Swalwell says could be used to influence the race. He leans into the Trump confrontation as a defining contrast, even as Democratic voters remain split about the primary lineup.
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Becerra accuses USC/ABC of sidelining candidates of color in California governor debate
Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra blasted USC and ABC for a March 24 debate that would exclude all candidates of color, calling the eligibility criteria biased; USC and the Center for the Political Future say the selection weighed polling and fundraising data, with six invitees including late entrant Matt Mahan, while Becerra and other excluded candidates condemn the process as discriminatory and unfair in a crowded race ahead of the June primary.
Steyer questions Swalwell’s California residency in bid for governor
Tom Steyer’s campaign has asked California’s secretary of state to review Eric Swalwell’s residency, arguing Swalwell may live in California only on paper as he runs for governor. The move centers on a dormant five-year residency requirement that state officials have long treated as unconstitutional or unenforceable. Steyer warns the ambiguity could spark a constitutional crisis if Swalwell wins and the Trump administration challenges his legitimacy, potentially affecting federal funds and state operations. Swalwell’s team says it’s common for candidates to list an attorney’s or treasurer’s address for safety, and the secretary of state did not commit to action. Legal experts say any ruling could require a court, highlighting the unsettled nature of California’s residency rules amid a crowded, high-stakes governor’s race.
Schwarzenegger Inducted into California Hall of Fame as Newsom Celebrates Legacy
Gavin Newsom announced Arnold Schwarzenegger's induction into the California Hall of Fame, months after his name was left off an early list amid a redistricting dispute; Newsom praised Schwarzenegger as a singular figure in California history despite the former governor's opposition to Newsom's redistricting, joining other inductees like Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Evans, and Nobuyuki Matsuhisa.
San Francisco braces for a looming national progressive wave
Moderate San Francisco Democrats are raising about $10 million to defend a centrist City Hall majority and block progressive gains in the June primary, arguing that a national progressive wave could undo the city’s pandemic-era pivot, with campaigns focusing on a proposed CEO tax and other key local races.
Money, Media, and a Broad Field Lift Swalwell and Steyer in California’s Governor Race
With no breakout candidate in California’s open Democratic governor race, Rep. Eric Swalwell and billionaire Tom Steyer have surged into the top tier in recent polls. Swalwell has gained visibility through cable news presence and a strong endorsement from Sen. Adam Schiff, while Steyer has saturated major media markets with ads, leveraging his wealth to stay front and center. The field remains unsettled, helping both veterans’ campaigns to endure, though Porter remains a contender and other rivals attack them to slow momentum.
Steyer pushes 2027 ballot to raise corporate taxes in California
Tom Steyer told labor unions he would back a 2027 push to raise corporate taxes, potentially via a special legislative session and an off-year ballot that could expand Prop 13 with a split-roll to tax commercial property at market value; he argues the move is needed to shore up California’s budget after federal cuts, while courting union endorsements and signaling he might finance the effort with his personal wealth.
Raman’s late bid reshapes LA’s mayoral race, echoing Mamdani’s ascent
Nithya Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member and former ally of Mayor Karen Bass, announced a late bid to unseat Bass, sparking headlines and drawing comparisons to Zohran Mamdani as she builds a campaign on the fly. The move surprised Bass and many in City Hall, highlighting LA’s unusual pattern of incumbents facing councilmembers and testing Raman’s ability to translate her progressive record into a viable mayoral bid.
San José Mayor Matt Mahan Launches Pragmatic Bid for California Governor
San José Mayor Matt Mahan announced his bid for California governor, pitching himself as a pragmatic Democrat who would prioritize residents’ quality of life and fix-state problems over partisan progressive aims. He touts local gains on crime, homelessness and housing, advocates for state leadership that partners with cities, and opposes a billionaire wealth tax while criticizing Gov. Newsom’s approach. Backed early by Silicon Valley figures but facing skepticism from some Democrats, he emphasizes a “Back to Basics” platform and aims to translate his city successes into statewide reform.
Silicon Valley backs pragmatic California Legislature PAC with $10M
A new California-focused super PAC, California Leads, launched with about $10 million from Google and Meta to back pragmatic candidates for the California Legislature; it will use research, polling and candidate interviews to target races, led by Nathan Click with Scott Kozar, Dave Metz and Austin Heyworth. Google and Meta each seeded roughly $5 million, and donors say they won’t dictate which races are pursued.
Newsom bets on federal reprieve to bridge California’s looming budget gap
Gov. Gavin Newsom is counting on a federal extension of California’s MCO tax on Medi-Cal to cover about $1.1 billion in revenue for the coming budget year; without a six‑month reprieve, the state could face a larger hole as AI-driven revenue remains uncertain and federal rules tighten on how the tax is used.