Outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown offered a pithy observation about the nature of politics during a wide-ranging interview before the Sacramento Press Club this month, to wit: “A lot of politics is timing, circumstances and luck.” While predecessor Arnold Schwarzenegger contended with the state’s worst recession since the Great Depression, which...
Pledge to Limit Tenure as Speaker Wins Over Pelosi Critics
WASHINGTON — Rep. Nancy Pelosi shrugged off suggestions Thursday that she weakened herself by agreeing to limit her tenure as next House speaker to a four-year maximum, a deal that clears the way for her to be elected to the post for the new Congress. "That's a long time," she...
Pelosi Gives Trump an Earful, Questions ‘Manhood’ in Private
WASHINGTON — In public, Nancy Pelosi lectured Donald Trump on the Constitution and wagged a finger at him for characterizing her "strength." In private, she questioned his "manhood" — and her disdain for him became public, again, anyway. "It's like a manhood thing for him. As if manhood could ever...
More Democrat Governors, More Skepticism of Charter Schools
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was not on the ballot in the Michigan governor's race, but her legacy loomed over the campaign in her home state, which has the country's highest concentration of for-profit charter schools. Republican Bill Schuette, a DeVos ally and the state's attorney general, ultimately lost to Gretchen...
Going, Going, Gone? Democrat Cox Now Leads Valadao.
Nearly three weeks after election night, Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) now trails Democratic challenger TJ Cox for California's 21st district seat in Washington. Despite trailing by nearly 8 percentage points after the returns reported on Nov. 6, Cox took over the lead Monday as the vote-by-mail and provisional ballots continued to break...
Tony Thurmond Is the New Schools Chief. Now What?
With bucks and boots on the ground from California teachers’ unions, Bay Area Democratic Assemblyman Tony Thurmond declared victory Saturday as California’s new superintendent of public instruction, an outcome that essentially endorses the labor-backed education establishment in the state. Thurmond, who had lagged in early returns, had a margin of...
Kounalakis and Becerra Prevail in Downballot State Races
SACRAMENTO — Eleni Kounalakis will be the first female lieutenant governor of California while Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Controller Betty Yee will all return to office. The four are among several statewide offices voters cast ballots for Tuesday. In the contest for insurance commissioner,...
Newsom Elected Governor. Expect Continued Battles with Trump.
LOS ANGELES — Democrat Gavin Newsom was elected California governor Tuesday and used his victory speech to punch at President Donald Trump and extoll California as a beacon for all Americans who oppose "agents of anger." Newsom's victory ensures one opponent of Trump, outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown, will be replaced...
Latest: Newsom Elected, Gas Tax Repeal Trailing
Democrat Gavin Newsom has been elected governor of California, taking the helm of the state's strong resistance to Trump administration policies on health care, immigration and the environment. Newsom's victory Tuesday over Republican businessman John Cox means one harsh critic of President Donald Trump — current Gov. Jerry Brown —...
Democrats’ Total Control of State Legislature Hinges on Key Race
SACRAMENTO — Democrats' total dominance of the state Legislature likely comes down to a single state Senate seat in Tuesday's election. Republicans have held Senate District 12 for years, but incumbent Anthony Cannella can't run again due to term limits. Democrats were pinning their hopes on Assemblywoman Anna Caballero while...