california-politics5.12 min read
Wahab Clinches East Bay Seat to Finish Swalwell’s Term
4 days ago•Source: Los Angeles Times
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California voters split on billionaire wealth tax and voter-ID ballot measures, poll shows
A UC Berkeley/Times poll finds California voters are deeply divided on Prop 40, a one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires’ assets to backfill federal healthcare cuts; 48% support, 41% oppose, and 11% undecided, with younger, minority, and lower-income voters more supportive, while unions back the measure though concerns about wealthy residents fleeing persist. Prop 39, a voter ID and citizenship verification measure, is just over half opposed, with Democrats largely against and Republicans in favor. Countermeasures Prop 41 (tax/spending audits) and Prop 42 (ban on certain new taxes) show mixed support (Prop 41: 35%/37% oppose; Prop 42: 40%/37% oppose; ~25% undecided). Turnout and messaging in November could swing the outcomes, per polling of 4,207 registered voters (2,310 likely voters) conducted Aug. 3–9 with ~2.5-point MOE.
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California Billionaire Tax Heads to November Ballot Amid Budget Worries
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California ballot duel: Uber liability cap vs. safety crackdown
Two California ballot measures qualified for November: Uber seeks to cap auto-collision payouts and attorneys’ fees, while the Consumer Attorneys of California aim to hold Uber liable for driver sexual misconduct and impose tighter safety standards; the high-stakes, multimillion-dollar campaign could be avoided if the sides strike a deal before June 25.
LA Dems Brace for Bruising Bass–Raman Runoff After Pratt Exit
Los Angeles’ mayoral runoff between incumbent Karen Bass and council member Nithya Raman is shaping into a high-stakes intra-Democratic showdown five months after Spencer Pratt’s controversial candidacy dominated headlines. While Raman surpassed Pratt to reach the runoff, operatives warn the contest could fracture Democratic support in the nation’s second-largest city, with Bass seeking a broad coalition and Raman riding progressive energy. Pratt’s exit may ease some pressure, but his supporters’ attacks and questions about election integrity signal a contentious, expensive race that will define LA politics for months to come.
Xavier Becerra’s Patience-Paced Playbook Shapes California’s Governor Bid
A detailed profile of Xavier Becerra tracing his methodical, debate-first leadership style from a 1990s freshman challenging the Ways and Means chair to a gubernatorial frontrunner, highlighting his policy stances on immigration and health care, his tenure as California attorney general and HHS secretary, and the tensions with Pelosi and the White House that have shaped his career and current bid.
California’s 2026 governor race grapples with immigration and housing costs
With the June 2 primary looming, candidates outline markedly different strategies on immigration, housing and affordability: Xavier Becerra champions immigrant protections and housing affordability measures; Chad Bianco pushes hardline immigration enforcement and deregulation of building rules; Steve Hilton backs CEQA reform and tax relief to accelerate housing; Tom Steyer seeks to curb ICE’s power and overhaul housing regulations; Katie Porter supports sanctuary policies and aggressive housing incentives; Matt Mahan promotes cheaper, faster construction; Tony Thurmond envisions millions of new homes on surplus land plus homelessness services; Antonio Villaraigosa pushes CEQA reform and expanded permanent supportive housing via Homekey; alongside varied approaches to entertainment-industry incentives and data transparency, the race highlights California’s ongoing tradeoffs between immigrant protections, housing supply and cost of living.
TMZ founder backs Spencer Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral bid
Harvey Levin, TMZ’s founder, is boosting Spencer Pratt’s bid for Los Angeles mayor, signaling a potential new dimension of Levin’s political influence as Pratt rises in a tight primary race. A Berkeley poll shows Bass 26%, Raman 25%, Pratt 22% among likely voters, with Levin’s media push—alongside endorsements from celebrities and conservatives—fuelling Pratt’s insurgent campaign amid LA’s homelessness and wildfire crises. Analysts caution that Levin’s clout may be ephemeral, and Hollywood skepticism remains about Pratt’s viability.
Becerra widens lead in CA governor primary as ballot battles loom
A new PPIC poll shows Xavier Becerra leading the California Democratic primary with 23% to Steve Hilton’s 20% and Tom Steyer’s 15%, signaling a likely nomination and a possible November matchup against Hilton. The survey also highlights two ballot fights: a proposed one-time wealth tax leading 54–45 but facing a well-funded opposition, and a Republican-backed voter ID measure that only 49% support, with Democrats and independents largely opposed. Neither measure is yet qualified for November, while 59% of Californians favor the state’s top-two primary, a factor that could influence the race’s dynamics even before the primary.
Newsom Threatens 100% Tax on Trump Fund Payouts to Californians
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would tax 100% of any money Californians receive from President Trump’s $1.776‑billion “anti-weaponization” fund, a move that would require legislative action and could face legal challenges. He spoke as he signed Senate Bill 73, which bars law enforcement from seizing ballots and imposes fines and up to three years in jail for violations, and he warned federal agencies like ICE/Border Patrol against intimidating voters near Dodger Stadium. Newsom argued Trump will continue to interfere with elections, signaling a broader fight over election security and political funding.
AI-Generated Ads Boost Spencer Pratt in Los Angeles Mayor Race
AI-generated videos and Pratt’s aggressive online presence have boosted his bid for Los Angeles mayor, challenging incumbent Karen Bass and left-leaning Nithya Raman; while Pratt’s momentum hinges on storytelling and media buzz, some ads are AI-created fakes, underscoring how campaign PR and momentum are shaping the June 2 primary as Pratt has raised about $3.3 million since January.
Hollywood's Production Crunch Rewrites California Campaigns
Hollywood's looming production crisis is pushing California candidates to center on economic policy, with expanded or uncapped film and TV tax credits framed as a tool to keep jobs and production in state amid AI disruption and industry consolidation, reshaping the governor's race and LA-area contests.
Becerra Under Fire as CA Governor Debate Turns on Campaign Scandal
Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra faced a barrage of attacks at a contentious 90-minute California governor debate, amid his former campaign manager’s federal guilty plea, while Republicans coalesced behind Steve Hilton and Democrats remained divided between Becerra and Tom Steyer as they debated affordability, housing, climate and healthcare ahead of the June 2 primary.