All articles tagged with #california politics
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.
As California primaries approach, Steve Hilton and Spencer Pratt need strong Latino turnout to upend expectations, but backing Donald Trump risks alienating Latino voters who have grown skeptical of the president. The column argues Latinos are a pivotal, volatile swing bloc in California politics—much more responsive to local issues and economic concerns than national partisan labels—and notes polling showing waning Latino support for Trump. Hilton’s embrace of Trump and Pratt’s mixed signals are criticized as misreading the landscape; unless they decisively distance themselves from Trump and prioritize resonant Latino-focused messaging and policy, their chances of pulling off a historic upset remain slim.
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.
A profile of Crean Lutheran track athlete Olivia Viola, a Christian who speaks out against transgender competitors in girls’ sports, recounting last season’s setback to a trans athlete and the criticism she’s faced for speaking out. The piece frames the issue as broader than one sport, highlighting activist efforts to protect girls’ sports and political fallout in California, including Sheriff Chad Bianco’s support for protections and Governor Gavin Newsom’s controversial comments. A Public Policy Institute of California poll is cited showing broad opposition to biological male athletes in women’s sports, and Viola says she plans to vote for Bianco, who has pledged to withhold funding from schools that allow males in girls’ sports.
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.
Dana Williamson, Gov. Newsom’s former chief of staff and a longtime ally of Xavier Becerra, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, submitting a false tax return, and lying to federal investigators in a scheme that diverted about $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account to a lobbyist; restitution totals $225,000 to Becerra and $500,000 to the IRS, with prosecutors seeking about 2.5 to 3 years in prison as co-defendants also pleaded guilty; the case looms over the governor’s race but no candidate running for governor is implicated.
Gavin Newsom’s longtime chief of staff Dana Williamson pleaded guilty to three counts in a federal public-corruption case—campaign-finance fraud, lying to the FBI, and filing a false tax return—over an alleged scheme to siphon campaign funds from Xavier Becerra to his aide and conceal the payments from Becerra; the plea adds political baggage for Becerra in the California governor race, with co-conspirators having also taken plea deals and the case previously facing delays due to Williamson’s health issues.
A ballot measure filed by Steve Maviglio seeks to repeal Proposition 14 and restore a traditional top-two primary in California, with the plan to appear on the 2028 ballot and take effect in 2030. Proponents say the current open-primary system disenfranchises voters by letting two candidates from the same party reach the general election, a concern underscored by the crowded field in the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom; Secretary of State Shirley Weber has questioned whether Prop 14 has achieved its goals.
Democratic gubernatorial contenders Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter and Matt Mahan roll out ambitious housing plans for California, proposing targets like 1 million homes in four years (Steyer), 40,000 shovel-ready units in 100 days (Becerra), and a 20% reduction in construction costs (Porter) plus cost-cutting and modular-building strategies from Mahan. Analysts warn such lofty goals risk overpromising due to local control, permitting bottlenecks, and funding limits, echoing lessons from Newsom’s tenure about translating promises into delivery.
Xavier Becerra's rapid ascent in California's gubernatorial race has stunned former Biden aides, who question his preparedness but acknowledge his political deftness. As polls push him to the front in a lackluster field, the development underscores voters' pragmatism and the unlikely prospect of a Cabinet member becoming California's governor.
In a contentious L.A. mayoral debate, incumbent Karen Bass defended her record, Nithya Raman appeared underprepared and ran over time, and Spencer Pratt used storytelling to stand out, leaving Raman as the perceived weaker performer.
Xavier Becerra has surged into the top tier of California's Democratic governor primary by adopting a steady, experienced governance image reminiscent of Joe Biden, defying early expectations and winning support from high-propensity voters. His rise has been helped by late endorsements from key groups (CMA, Latino Legislative Caucus, unions) and strategic spending after fallout from Swalwell's campaign, with Latino voters coalescing behind him. Unlike Biden’s 2020 path, Becerra lacks the same level of national party machinery backing and carries some baggage, but his stability-focused appeal is reshaping the race.
Former HHS secretary Xavier Becerra surged to the front of California’s crowded governor race after Swalwell’s exit, but is drawing renewed backlash from progressive critics over immigration handling, oil money donations, and his stance on single-payer health care, as Steyer and Porter attack his establishment credentials ahead of the June 2 top-two primary amid late fundraising and debates over his record.
Organizers say a California ballot measure to tax billionaires has gathered more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot; after state verification, voters would decide on a proposal to tax the wealthiest residents to fund public services.
Six candidates—two Republicans and four Democrats—debated in San Francisco ahead of California’s June primary, trading sharp lines on wealth, experience and race. Tom Steyer faced attacks over his wealth and investments in private prisons and fossil fuels but defended his philanthropy and plans to tax polluters; Xavier Becerra emphasized his long record while Katie Porter pressed for concrete housing funding details. Matt Mahan framed the race as reform-minded, while the two Republicans, Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, avoided broad clashes but tangled over race and policing. The 90‑minute forum was the first televised gubernatorial debate since Swalwell exited, occurring as ballots go out and a crowded field tests California’s top-two primary dynamics.)