All articles tagged with #politics california
Real estate developer and former California gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck was arrested in Los Angeles County on suspicion of trying to dissuade a witness from testifying, with bail set at $300,000 and later posted; he was released the same day. Cloobeck had dropped out of the governor race in November and endorsed Eric Swalwell.
Former California state Controller Betty Yee dropped out of the 2026 governor’s race due to weak donor support and a lack of traction in a crowded field; she had raised about $583,000 in 2025, did not endorse another candidate yet, and noted that California’s top-two primary and expensive media markets made it hard to compete.
At California’s GOP convention, delegates declined to endorse Donald Trump’s pick for governor. Sheriff Chad Bianco led at 49% with Steve Hilton at 44%, but neither reached the 60% threshold needed for an endorsement, underscoring limited Trump influence in the state despite his backing. Delegates and insiders also weigh GOP prospects in midterms and national polarization surrounding Trump.
California news today centers on rethinking public commemorations of César Chávez: LAUSD votes to rename two César Chávez Academies and remove Chávez murals by fall 2026, while designating Farm Workers Day on calendars; Los Angeles County votes to rename the Chávez holiday as Farmworkers Day and to inventory and remove Chávez names from county assets. Separately, California sues the federal government to block a Defense Production Act order to restart an offshore oil operation, arguing it oversteps state authority, and USC cancels a gubernatorial debate amid criticism over candidate inclusion and debate criteria.