California
California lawmakers got ticket freebies as they cracked down on Ticketmaster’s Taylor Swift debacle
A POLITICO analysis reveals all the free tickets state legislators received in the home of entertainment.
California Playbook
Sign Up | Read the latest edition- Harris picks Walz (And X leaves SF)
- Crunch time for Buffy Wicks’ journalism bill
- Push to regulate a deadly street drug hits a snag
California Climate
Sign Up | Read the latest edition- Your guide to the biggest end-of-session climate fights
- Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court fights on
- San Clemente battles for its beaches
State Politics
Harris shores up support from more than 200 Silicon Valley investors
The group appears to be led by Ron Conway, a longtime Harris donor who had pledged his support for the vice president last week.
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Elections
The GOP is trying to rebrand Harris, from aggressive prosecutor to effete San Francisco liberal. But her campaign is also leaning into the former district attorney’s resume.
California Ballot Initiatives
California Supreme Court upholds gig worker law in a win for ride-hail companies
The ruling caps a yearslong battle between labor and tech giants over the status of workers.
Climate
Gavin Newsom, firefighter-in-chief
The governor of fire-prone California is leaning into the role, trumpeting new resources and attempting to make an asset out of the state’s increasing flammability.
More from POLITICO California
A Southern California police fleet is nation’s first to go all-electric
South Pasadena says its new Teslas are the first all-electric police fleet in the country.
Gavin Newsom issues order to clear homeless encampments on California state land
The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that gave broader powers to local authorities.
Newsom marvels at Harris’ quick start: ‘I pity Donald Trump right now’
The California governor spoke publicly for the first time about supporting Kamala Harris after learning that Joe Biden had dropped out of the presidential campaign.
Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa makes another run for California governor
Villaraigosa suggested he’d be the state’s best foil to Trumpism.
California governor hopefuls solicit donations for Kamala Harris — and themselves
State Sen. Toni Atkins and former Controller Betty Yee, both Democrats, have taken the somewhat unusual step of simultaneously fundraising for a state and federal campaign.
California Democrats line up behind Harris — with big exceptions
There were key Golden State powerbrokers and candidates who stayed silent, opting not to follow Biden in coronating their fellow Californian.
California Democrats are rallying around Donald Trump for this reason
A proposal in the California State Legislature would allow candidates and lawmakers to spend more on personal security.
California abortion rights advocate sweats Biden drag on House races
Jodi Hicks, president of Planned Parenthood California, indicated Democrats were taking a big risk in losing the House if they stuck with President Joe Biden.
What Kamala Harris’ record in California tells us about her political future
Key parts of Harris’ in-state record pulled from political and policy reporters.
Pelosi hasn’t told Biden to drop out yet. Here’s what her California allies have said.
Some of them — like Reps. Adam Schiff and Jared Huffman — are on the frontlines of the push for him to reconsider.
Democratic delegates erupt over Biden’s nomination in private chats
Messages shared between Democratic delegates and activists in California, the biggest and one of the bluest states, lay bare the infighting over their nominee’s fitness for a presidential run.
First Democratic mayor in California calls for Biden to end campaign, following Schiff
The mayor of Pasadena said it’s clear that Americans want “another candidate at the top” of the party’s ticket.
Millennial politician Michael Tubbs steps up in California
The 33-year-old former Stockton mayor is running for statewide office on generational change even as he stands in solidarity with his party’s aging standard-bearer.
Elon Musk vows to move X, SpaceX headquarters out of California, citing trans privacy law
The tech billionaire has made similar threats over political differences in the past.
Tech investor trashes San Francisco at the RNC
David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley donor, used his moment in the spotlight to rail on California Democrats — and Biden’s foreign policy.
Newsom withdraws $10M tiny homes grant for San Diego
The California governor argued the county has moved too slowly on the project meant to alleviate homelessness.
California bans school districts from outing trans kids
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation, which is sure to infuriate conservative activists.
Top San Francisco Democrats say Kamala Harris has ‘most viable path’ to win election
An open letter doesn’t explicitly call for Joe Biden to step aside but argues the vice president is best positioned to defeat Donald Trump.
How Hollywood quickly turned on Joe Biden
A month after throwing the president a major LA fundraiser, stars like George Clooney are calling on him to step aside.
Newsom deals new blow to progressive DA Pamela Price over Oakland crime
The move comes as Alameda County’s Pamela Price faces a recall election over her crime approach.
Dems target Mike Garcia over Boeing stock trade
The Southern California seat held by the GOP congressman is one of the handful of districts that could determine control of the House.
Gavin Newsom’s latest media play? A podcast with an NFL legend
The California governor says the show isn’t about politics. It’s debuting just months before the presidential election.
Gavin Newsom travels to Washington to ‘stand with’ Biden amid calls to step down
The California governor is both a staunch defender of the president and frequently mentioned as a potential successor should Biden decide not to run again.
Loopholes kill California plan to restrict CLEAR at airports
The decision came as CLEAR flipped its position on the measure following amendments.
Newsom, Democratic leaders launch rival crime ballot measure
Its proponents aim to win approval from the California legislature on Wednesday, before lawmakers leave for summer recess.
Swing-district Dem breaks with Newsom on crime ballot measure
Orange County House candidate Dave Min backed a tough-on-crime initiative.
Supreme Court makes it easier for cities to clear homeless encampments
The ruling centered on a determination that fining or arresting people for camping outdoors did not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Californians will vote on slavery ban in November
The proposal, aimed at ending forced prison labor, comes on the heels of similar measures across the country.
Ethics questions dog Democrat running for California governor
Democrat Toni Atkins, a former legislative leader, may have violated campaign finance rules, according to a former watchdog.
California lawmakers reject benefits for striking workers over Gaza protests
A legislator teared up recounting her family’s experience in the Holocaust. “They’re marching across our beautiful UC campuses, yelling ‘Kill one more’ in reference to the Jews,” she said.