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California Policy and Politics Monday

State investigation alleges State Farm’s wildfire response broke law 400 times -- A state investigation into California’s largest home insurer, State Farm General Insurance Co., alleges it violated state law more than 400 times in its response to the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires. Megan Fan Munce, Susie Neilson, Sara DiNatale in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ Levi Sumagaysay Calmatters -- 5/4/26

How Xavier Becerra became the Joe Biden of California’s governor race -- He is defying conventional wisdom about what Democratic voters want and is surpassing flashier, more progressive opponents pledging to upend the status quo. Blake Jones Politico -- 5/4/26

Xavier Becerra unveils his AI vision for California -- The former HHS secretary wants AI to benefit everyone, not “private wealth for the few.” Tyler Katzenberger and Christine Mui Politico -- 5/4/26

Candidate interview: Matt Mahan is tech billionaires’ pick. Here’s how he wants to win everyday voters -- San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s decision to stake out the most business-friendly stances of the Democrats running for governor has won him the support of some of the country’s most powerful billionaires. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/4/26

We’re endorsing an underdog for California governor. Why she should get your vote -- McClatchy Media’s California editorial board, which includes columnists and editors from The Sacramento Bee, The Modesto Bee, The Fresno Bee, Merced Sun-Star and The Tribune of San Luis Obispo, agrees unanimously on one thing: The next governor of California must be a Democrat. McClatchy Media’s California editorial board -- 5/4/26

Kamala Harris endorses L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for reelection -- Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for reelection, citing Bass’ achievements including the declines in homelessness and crime. Despite leading in polls, Bass faces voter skepticism, with 56% viewing her unfavorably following her leadership during the devastating Palisades fire. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/4/26

Kamala Harris endorses slate of California candidates — but not for governor -- Former Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a slate of endorsements Monday ahead of California’s June primary, but she’s steering clear of the governor’s race where anxious Democrats have been trying to winnow a crowded field to avoid being locked out of the top two. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/4/26

Kamala Harris bought a Malibu home. Her neighbors think that means something -- Amid all the speculation about whether Harris will again run for president, her move is regarded here — in her new celebrity-laden enclave — not as a launching pad, but as a sign of retreat. Daniel Miller Politico -- 5/4/26

Skelton: California isn’t so cutting-edge when it comes to electing governors -- Across America, 53 women have served as state governors. But not one in California. What gives? Aren’t we supposed to be enlightened out here in this cutting-edge state? George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/4/26

Barabak: Not too early, not too late. Here’s the sweet spot for voting in California -- Mail ballots will soon arrive in homes all over California. Many may choose to wait a little while before voting, as contests continue to unfold. But voters shouldn’t wait too long to make sure their ballot is processed in time to count. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/4/26

2026 Voter Guide: In California’s June 2 primary, you can vote for any candidate from any party. The top two candidates move on to the November election, when voters choose the winner. Calmatters -- 5/4/26

California election: Inside the battles for governor and L.A. mayor, plus a new map under Prop. 50 -- Ballots are already in the mail to registered voters. There are multiple ways to cast your vote, including by mail, dropping off your ballot in a box or showing up at a polling place on election day — June 2 — if you forgot to register to vote. Kevinisha Walker in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/4/26

Voter Guide 2026: California and S.F. Bay Area primary election -- Guide to the key races that state and San Francisco Bay Area residents will vote on in the June primary election in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/4/26

Everything to know about the California 2026 primary -- While some high-profile races are drawing broad attention, much of what’s on the ballot is closer to home, including legislative seats, school boards and local measures that could influence public policy for years in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/4/26

Your guide to the California governor primary race -- This year’s governor’s race is unlike any in recent memory. Less than two months ahead of the June 2 primary, voters have yet to coalesce behind a candidate for the top job in California. Ben Paviour in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/4/26

Ballots are on their way: Here’s what you need to know about the June 2 primary -- More than half of the statewide offices on the ballot have no incumbent running. Californians this year will elect a new lieutenant governor — the second in command in the state who sits on several key commissions related to higher education, land use and economic development — a new treasurer, and a new state superintendent of public instruction. Grace Hase in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/4/26

He made noise as AOC’s chief of staff. Now her silence looms over his bid for Congress -- Congressional staffing changes are not ordinarily treated as national news. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/4/26

California Republicans who flipped seats in 2024 are fighting to keep them -- Vulnerable Republican incumbents are seeking to distance themselves from President Donald Trump as they try to hang on to 2024 gains in the state Legislature. Yue Stella Yu Calmatters -- 5/4/26

Tech regulation gets personal: How Tom Steyer’s brother could shape California’s AI future -- Tom Steyer’s arguably equally famous older brother Jim is a well known force in Sacramento working on tech regulations and protecting kids online. Does that mean he’d have an open ear in the governor’s office on a hot-button issue if Tom wins? Jeanne Kuang Calmatters -- 5/4/26

Trump assassination suspect Cole Allen’s attorney calls suicide precautions unjustified -- Cole Allen, the Torrance man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump, remains confined to a padded cell despite assessments showing no suicide risk. Doug Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/4/26

Workplace

A push to shield immigrant aid workers is raising 1st Amendment concerns -- California Assembly Bill 2624 would create an address confidentiality program for immigrant aid workers, prohibiting the posting of their personal information online to prevent harassment. Katie King in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/4/26

SAG-AFTRA reaches a tentative deal with the studios -- The actors union’s new agreement with the trade group that negotiates with Hollywood unions on behalf of the major studios will reportedly improve AI protections and boost the guild’s pension fund. Cerys Davies in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/4/26

Housing

Bay Area condo values are still falling — except in these San Francisco neighborhoods -- The condominium, long considered a relatively affordable entry point into homeownership, is no longer an option for many buyers. Christian Leonard in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/4/26

Beach homes under $400,000: This is the last affordable city on California’s coast -- About 6½ hours north of San Francisco, the road careens across a treacherous stretch of Highway 101 ominously called Last Chance Grade. From there, the highway dips down past a 2-mile beach and a scattering of hotels, a weathered aquarium, low-slung commercial strips and mostly empty parking lots. Julie Johnson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/4/26

Environment

Record ocean heat off California coast echoes ‘The Blob,’ killing seabirds and reshaping weather outlook -- Over the past several months, an intense marine heat wave has developed in the Pacific from Washington to Baja Mexico, with a particularly extreme hot spot between the Bay Area and San Diego. Ocean temperatures have spiked to as much as 7 degrees hotter than average, with many places breaking records for this time of year. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/4/26

Education

For asylum seekers, the path to a California education is costly -- Asylum seekers going to college in California can pay much higher nonresident tuition and are often excluded from financial aid, at great cost to them and their families as immigration cases spend years in limbo. Andrea Baltodano and Chrissa Olson Calmatters -- 5/4/26

Also

Nevada’s hidden earthquake risk revealed as Las Vegas, Reno shake -- A recent series of earthquakes in Nevada has served as a jolting reminder of the state’s seismic risk. It started with a scary earthquake near Reno, then more unsettling shaking near Las Vegas. Neither earthquake caused significant damage, but it has gotten Nevada talking about the large geological forces that caused them. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/4/26

Bay Area’s mosquito season is starting early. An invasive species could make it a lot worse -- The Bay Area could be in for an earlier and longer mosquito season this spring and summer — even as officials race to contain the potential explosion of a new invasive mosquito species that is already spreading in parts of the East and South Bay. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/4/26

POTUS 47

Oil Rises on Fears of Escalation in Hormuz -- Investors are on edge today, sending oil prices swinging wildly as military tensions flared in the Strait of Hormuz. Several vessels were struck around the strait amid Iranian threats, while the U.S. sent in destroyers and fought off further attacks, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. Caitlin McCabe in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 5/4/26

US claims progress in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying 2 merchant ships have transited -- The U.S. military said Monday that two American-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz after it launched a new initiative to restore traffic. The United Arab Emirates meanwhile issued three missile alerts and authorities said an Iranian drone hit an oil facility. Adam Schreck, Sam Metz Associated Press -- 5/4/26

Iran threatens ships after Trump says the U.S. will break Tehran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz -- Iran rejected a new U.S. effort to help free ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening on Monday to attack American warships or any commercial vessels that tried to pass through the strategic waterway without Iran’s consent. Aaron Boxerman and Sanam Mahoozi in the New York Times$ Dan Diamond and Karen DeYoung in the Washington Post$ -- 5/4/26

Trump says the US will ‘guide’ stranded ships from the Strait of Hormuz, starting on Monday -- The United States will launch an effort on Monday to “guide” stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said, giving few details about what could be a sweeping attempt to help hundreds of vessels and some 20,000 seafarers. Iran quickly denounced it as a ceasefire violation. Adam Schreck, Melanie Lidman, Cara Anna Associated Press Zolan Kanno-Youngs, David E. Sanger and Neil MacFarquhar in the New York Times$ Dan Diamond and Karen DeYoung in the Washington Post$ -- 5/4/26

Internal ICE records reveal widespread use of force in detention centers -- The reports detail how guards have increasingly used chemical agents and physical tactics on detainees, including groups demanding adequate water, food and medical care. Douglas MacMillan, Andrew Ba Tran, Drea Cornejo and Luis Melgar in the Washington Post$ -- 5/4/26