California Democrats’ massive victory in last month’s election made their party even more dominant at all levels of government and in doing so, confined Republicans to relatively tiny redoubts, mostly in rural areas. Calmatters political writer Ben Christopher summarized the GOP’s exile last week in this sentence: “This year, 26...
Whiter, Poorer, Trumpier: The New Republican California
After the shellacking that California Republicans took in this year's midterm elections, many figures within the more pragmatic wings of the party establishment had hoped that the party would turn away from the divisive politics of President Donald Trump and seek to become a more diverse coalition. But in the...
Defense Chief’s Resignation Pushes Israel Toward Election
JERUSALEM — Israel's defense minister on Wednesday abruptly resigned to protest a new cease-fire with Hamas militants in Gaza, throwing the government into turmoil and pushing the country toward an early election. Avigdor Lieberman's decision was ostensibly a show of anger over Tuesday's informal truce with Israel's Hamas enemies. But...
More Races Go to Democrats, Including Senate Seat in Arizona
NEW YORK — No, it wasn't a blue wave. But a week after the voting, Democrats are riding higher than they thought on election night. As vote counting presses on in several states, the Democrats have steadily chalked up victories across the country, firming up their grip on the U.S....
Florida Is Again at the Center of an Election Controversy
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida is once again at the center of election controversy, but this year there are no hanging chads or butterfly ballots like in 2000. And no angry mobs in suits — at least not yet. The deeply purple state will learn Saturday whether there will be...
Opinion: The Wave That Wasn’t
Call it the Oprah Election: You get a win! And you get a win! And you … Democrats win control of the House, along with all the chairmanships — and subpoena power — that come with it. Republicans add to their Senate majority, an unusual feat in a Republican president’s...
Trump Says Government Will Halt if Dems Investigate Him
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump, emboldened by Republican election wins in the Senate and scornful of GOP candidates he felt didn't sufficiently embrace his support, delivered a stark warning to the new Democratic House majority on Wednesday: Investigate me, and I'll investigate you — and the government will grind to...
School Boards: Incumbents Fall in Clovis, Central, Fresno, SCCCD
Veva Islas ousted incumbent Christopher De La Cerda in the Fresno Unified school board race to represent McLane High School trustee area. With 100% precincts reporting, Islas garnered 59% of the vote. De La Cerda, a retired school educator, was seeking his second full term on the school board. The...
Resigned to House Loss, Trump Still Sees Midterms Success
WASHINGTON — Resigned to the loss of one-party control over Washington, President Donald Trump stared down the prospect of endless House investigations, stymied policy efforts and fresh questions about the resilience of his unorthodox political coalition. But as midterm election results rolled in Tuesday night, he celebrated GOP success in...
The Latest: Trump Says Election Results ‘Tremendous Success’
President Donald Trump is deeming the election results a "tremendous success," as Republicans maintain control of the Senate but Democrats make gains in the House. Trump tweeted Tuesday night: "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!" Trump spent the evening watching returns in the White House with family and friends....