The Matt Mahan governor campaign is facing new pressure after a pro-Mahan committee shut down, a major donor refund surfaced and recent polling showed the San Jose mayor trailing key rivals ahead of California’s top-two primary on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. The developments have raised questions about whether Mahan’s early Silicon Valley-backed momentum can turn into broader voter support in the final stretch of the California governor race. Matt

California voter groups are more divided than a simple left-versus-right map suggests. An analysis of precinct-level ballot measure data found six voter communities shaped by party preference, populism, class, race and views on government institutions. The analysis reviewed how California precincts voted on 65 statewide ballot issues from 2016 through 2024. It focused on precincts with more than 700 voters and used principal component analysis, a statistical method

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The race to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom is gaining momentum as candidates compete in a crowded and unpredictable primary contest shaped by the state’s unique election system. California uses a top-two primary format, in which all candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes advance to the general election, even if they belong to the same party. This structure has int

The race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom has shifted significantly following the abrupt exit of Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who suspended his gubernatorial campaign and announced plans to resign from Congress after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Swalwell, once viewed as a leading contender in the heavily Democratic state, made his decision public on Sunday, April 12, 2026. He later stated on Monday, April 13, 2026, that he would step down from Congress, though he did not specify a timeline. In a public statement, Swalwell denied the allegations and said he would continue to contest them, while acknowledging that his focus on the matter would hinder his ability to serve constituents effectively. The developments have reshaped an already crowded and unpredictable race ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary election. A scheduled candidate gathering in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marks the first major public appearance of the remaining contenders since Swalwell’s withdrawal. Separately, attorneys representing a woman accusing Swalwell indicated that additional allegations would be detailed the same day in Beverly Hills. With more than 50 candidates on the ballot and no clear frontrunner, political analysts suggest Swalwell’s departure may fragment his support base rather than consolidate it behind a single candidate. Democratic concerns persist that a divided vote could allow two Republican candidates to advance to the general election under California’s top-two primary system. Among Democrats, figures such as Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and Antonio Villaraigosa are seeking to gain momentum. Meanwhile, Republicans remain divided, with former President Donald Trump backing Steve Hilton, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco continues to draw support within the party. Swalwell’s exit adds uncertainty to an already volatile contest, leaving both parties navigating a rapidly evolving political landscape in one of the nation’s most consequential state elections.

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for California to use a newly approved congressional map that is expected to benefit Democrats in upcoming elections, rejecting an emergency appeal filed by state Republicans and backed by the Trump administration. The unsigned order, issued without explanation and with no noted dissents, leaves intact district boundaries that could alter the balance of power in several closely contested House races as the country moves toward high-stakes midterm contests

San Francisco state and city leaders announced a proposed legislative change Monday aimed at expanding the use of court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment as part of an effort to confront the city’s ongoing mental health crisis. The announcement was made during a morning press conference outside San Francisco City Hall, where officials described the proposal as a significant shift in how treatment for severe mental illness is handled in California. Mayor Daniel Lurie joined mem

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to use his final State of the State address on Thursday to portray the state as a governing model for the nation, drawing a sharp contrast with what he describes as instability and dysfunction at the federal level under President Donald Trump. The Democratic governor plans to argue that California’s policy direction and values stand in opposition to those coming from Washington, positioning the state as both a counterweight and an alternative to the curre

U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who represented California’s 1st Congressional District, has died at the age of 65, according to an announcement released Tuesday morning by the National Republican Congressional Committee. His death brings an abrupt end to a political career that spanned more than two decades in state and federal office and leaves a significant vacancy in a district already facing major political uncertainty. LaMalfa represented a vast and predominan

Questions continue to emerge at the California Capitol as Attorney General Rob Bonta faces heightened scrutiny over his use of campaign funds for legal services during his recent reelection effort. The issue gained traction after disclosures showed that Bonta’s campaign spent more than $468,000 on legal assistance connected to a federal inquiry that intersected with his 2022 campaign. Although Bonta has not been accused of wrongdoing, his reliance on campaign money to cover significant lega

California voters have overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, Governor Gavin Newsom’s controversial redistricting plan that reshapes congressional boundaries across the state. The measure, which effectively suspends California’s independent redistricting commission until the next census in 2030, has drawn both praise and criticism for its potential impact on partisan balance and democratic fairness. Early results show Proposition 50 passing decisively, with approximately 65 per

California’s November special election delivered a series of important outcomes across the state, with voters approving Proposition 50 and influencing key local and regional contests. The measure’s passage marks a step forward for state policymakers and sets the stage for new political alignments, while the Bay Area saw a mix of recall efforts, fiscal proposals, and local leadership decisions taking shape through the night. Proposition 50 gained strong support statewide and was pr

California voters are preparing to decide the future of the state’s congressional map through Proposition 50, the only statewide measure on this November’s ballot. The initiative seeks to redraw California’s 52 congressional districts in an effort to rebalance national political representation. Supporters say the measure would help ensure equitable congressional power by giving Democrats five additional seats in the U.S. House, countering partisan redistricting in states like Texas that ha

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has joined several other states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully refusing to provide federal food assistance benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the legal action Tuesday, stating that the decision by the administration to withhold funds under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will leave millions of residents without

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a significant package of new laws crafted by Silicon Valley legislators, focusing on improving transparency in law enforcement, strengthening labor rights, and increasing wildfire resilience across the state. The legislative actions, finalized earlier this month, mark another step in the state’s ongoing efforts to modernize government accountability and strengthen protections for both workers and communities. Most of the new laws will take effect on

Former President Barack Obama has entered the political fray ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, appearing in a new campaign advertisement urging California voters to approve Proposition 50 — a ballot measure that could significantly alter the state’s congressional landscape in favor of Democrats. The 30-second ad, released this week, features Obama directly addressing voters as he calls for support of the measure, which seeks to redraw California’s congressional districts. T

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that $750 million in state loans for Bay Area transit agencies will be finalized before the end of the legislative session, delivering a much-needed financial lifeline to struggling transportation systems. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty, when a budget agreement reached in June appeared to be unraveling as state officials hesitated to release the promised funding. The loans are intended to provide temporary relief to trans

Donald Trump has ordered the termination of Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, a move that has generated significant political debate just weeks before she begins her new book tour and memoir release. In a letter dated Thursday and directed to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Trump formally revoked the special protection Harris had been receiving since leaving office, effective September 1, 2025. His directive stated that no se

As California cities increasingly pass laws banning homeless encampments and intensify sweeps, a group of state lawmakers from the San Jose area is moving in the opposite direction. They are backing legislation aimed at protecting homeless individuals and the people who help them from criminal penalties. Senate Bill 643, co-authored by State Senator Sasha Perez and Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, Alex Lee, and Matt Haney, would prohibit cities from enacting ordinances that stop organiz

The race for California’s next governor has taken a dramatic turn as former Vice President Kamala Harris announced she will not be entering the contest. For months, political observers, lawmakers, and potential candidates speculated on whether Harris would join the race, with many believing she would have been a strong favorite. Her decision not to run has reshaped the dynamics of the election, creating an open field and setting the stage for one of the most competitive races in years.

United States Representative Sam Liccardo, a Democrat from San Jose, is raising serious concerns about whether recent federal job and funding cuts are weakening the ability of national agencies to protect marine life in the San Francisco Bay Area. His inquiry comes amid a troubling spike in whale deaths recorded along Northern California's coastal waters. According to regional scientific data, at least 24 whales have died in the Bay Area so far this year. A significant number of those dea