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California Policy and Politics Wednesday
Ventura County fire explodes, trapping residents, causing injuries and burning homes -- The Mountain fire in Ventura County has grown to 1,500 acres and injured several people who were hospitalized, according to the county’s fire department. The high winds mean retardant-dropping airplanes are unable to aid in the firefighting effort. Noah Goldberg and Jireh Deng in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Lopez: Trump return could be a growing California nightmare. But leave the U.S? No need -- My first thought, not particularly original, was to leave the United States. But then I realized I already have. I live in California. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
New Los Angeles DA vows to reverse predecessor’s ‘social experiments’ -- The Republican-turned-independent defeated George Gascón as progressive West Coast district attorneys face a voter backlash. Alex Nieves and Melanie Mason Politico -- 11/6/24
California girds for war with Trump -- State Attorney General Rob Bonta has already prepared legal arguments against everything from a possible national abortion ban to Project 2025 targets. Melanie Mason Politico -- 11/6/24
Donald Trump Returns to Power, Ushering in New Era of Uncertainty -- He played on fears of immigrants and economic worries to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. His victory signaled the advent of isolationism, sweeping tariffs and score settling. Shane Goldmacher and Lisa Lerer in the New York Times$ -- 11/6/24
‘Trump’s America’: Comeback Victory Signals a Different Kind of Country -- And while tens of millions of voters still cast ballots against Mr. Trump, he once again tapped into a sense among many others that the country they knew was slipping away, under siege economically, culturally and demographically. Peter Baker in the New York Times$ -- 11/6/24
Will Trump enact Project 2025? Here’s what’s in it -- Project 2025 was designed during the campaign to be a comprehensive plan for the next Republican administration to lurch the country to the right. It’s written by officials who served in Trump’s first administration and will probably serve in his second. Amber Phillips in the Washington Post$ -- 11/6/24
Chabria: With new Trump presidency, California is in for the fight of our lives -- As much as California is waking up to a new era of Trump power, we are also waking up to the fact that the majority of Americans do not share the values that this state holds dear: the ideas of equality; of respect for all people and our planet; of a rejection of racism and misogyny; of a desire to advance civil rights rather than roll them back in the name of Christianity. Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Senator-elect Schiff vows to protect democracy without naming Trump -- He did not mention Trump, his bitter adversary, by name, but he implicitly invoked the Republican presidential candidate by vowing to guard the country’s democratic institutions. Schiff said that, as senator, he is “committed to taking on the big fights to protect our freedoms and protect our democracy.” Melanie Mason Politico -- 11/6/24
With Donald Trump as president, Gavin Newsom poised to become ‘leader of the resistance’ -- Even as Donald Trump’s victory represents a devastating loss for Democrats, it carries a political silver lining for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is now positioned to become the leader of the Democratic resistance. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/24
What we still don’t know about the election: House control, popular vote -- While Trump is projected to win the presidency and Republicans the Senate, control of the House is still unclear and some swing states are not yet called. Leo Sands, Victoria Bisset and Mark Berman in the Washington Post$ -- 11/6/24
Garofoli: Californians did their best. Now they must prepare for Trump’s worst -- It’s not your fault, California. Blame the 67 million (and counting) Americans who voted for Donald Trump, even after he inspired an insurrection, was convicted of multiple felonies, was found liable for sexual assault and continued to spout rhetoric that was racist, authoritarian and typically false. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Alexei Koseff CalMatters -- 11/6/24
Nathan Hochman wins race for Los Angeles County D.A., beating George Gascón -- A tumultuous first term in office for Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón ended in a failed reelection bid, with challenger Nathan Hochman defeating him by a wide margin. James Queally and Connor Sheets in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Why Californians got tougher on crime: Bleak downtowns and attention-getting retail thefts -- Californians overwhelmingly backed Prop. 36 to lengthen criminal sentences for certain theft and drug offenses, and to direct more people to drug treatment after convictions. Voters’ views changed on public safety after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nigel Duara and Joe Garcia CalMatters -- 11/6/24
Progressive criminal justice reform was all the rage. The election shows the backlash continues -- With the attempted recall of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price ahead by a wide margin in early returns, and Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón beaten badly in his reelection bid, voters favoring a tougher approach to crime were poised to all but excise California’s cast of progressive prosecutors not long after they thundered into office. Megan Cassidy, Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/24
Proposition 33, the rent control statewide ballot measure, is rejected by California voters -- California voters on Tuesday rejected an effort to allow stronger rent control laws in California, the third time such a measure was turned down in recent years. Andrew Khouri in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Race too close to call for Calvert and Rollins in California’s 41st Congressional District -- The highly competitive U.S. House race in Riverside County between Republican Rep. Ken Calvert, the longest-serving GOP member of California’s congressional delegation, and Democrat Will Rollins, a former federal prosecutor, was too close to call on election night. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
California’s 47th Congressional District is too close to call for Min or Baugh -- The race between Republican Scott Baugh and Democratic state Sen. Dave Min for the fiercely fought open House seat in coastal Orange County remained too close to call Tuesday night as votes continue to be counted. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Levin and Gunderson in tight race for California’s 49th Congressional District -- The race between Democratic Rep. Mike Levin and his Republican challenger Matt Gunderson for California’s 49th Congressional District in San Diego and Orange counties remained too close to call Tuesday as votes continue to be counted. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Garcia and Whitesides locked in battle for California’s 27th Congressional District -- The hotly contested congressional race between Republican Rep. Mike Garcia and Democrat George Whitesides, a former NASA chief of staff, to represent northern Los Angeles County was too close to call on election night. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Valadao and Salas locked in tight race for California’s 22nd Congressional District -- The Central Valley race between Republican Rep. David Valadao and his Democratic challenger Rudy Salas for California’s 22nd Congressional District was too close to call on election night, with officials continuing to count votes. Melissa Gomez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
California Congressional District 13 too close to call; John Duarte battles for reelection against challenger Adam Gray -- In one of the most closely watched U.S. House races in the country, results in the Central Valley contest between GOP Rep. John Duarte and Democratic challenger Adam Gray for California’s 13th Congressional District were too close to call on election night, with vote counting scheduled to continue. Melissa Gomez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Catch up quick: Here’s what happened to California election results while you were sleeping -- Against a national red wave, Californians sent a top Trump nemesis to the US Senate, and favored Democrats in House and state races. But they also toughened criminal sentences and rejected more rent control. Ryan Sabalow and Sameea Kamal CalMatters -- 11/6/24
California General Election Unofficial Election Results Cal Sec of State
California elections results in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
San Francisco Election Results in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/24
San Francisco Mayor Election in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/24
California voters approve anti-crime ballot measure Prop. 36 -- California voters on Tuesday approved a November ballot measure that will impose stricter penalties for repeat theft and crimes involving fentanyl, steering away from recent progressive policies that critics blamed for increased lawlessness. Anabel Sosa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Democrat Adam Schiff wins California’s U.S. Senate race -- Democratic Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank, who rose to national prominence as a key antagonist of former President Trump, easily beat Republican and former Dodgers All-Star Steve Garvey on Tuesday night to win California’s open seat in the U.S. Senate. Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Bay Area House results: Simon, Liccardo lead in open congressional races -- Two new Bay Area lawmakers will be heading to the U.S. House of Representatives in January, joining Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who secured her 20th election to Congress to represent San Francisco in early results. Molly Burke in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/24
Nation looks to California as Republicans and Democrats fight for control of the House -- The fight for control of the U.S. House of Representatives may remain unresolved Tuesday night as votes are counted in several competitive races in California that could determine whether Democrats or Republicans win the majority. Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
San Francisco Mayor Election -- Results of ranked choice voting in S.F. mayoral race, live maps of voting by precinct and analysis on each candidate's performance. The list is in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/24
Recall of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is ahead in early returns -- The recall of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was ahead in early returns on Tuesday, with 64% of voters backing her removal from office. Nearly 36% of voters opposed the recall. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/24
Kevin McCarty leading over Flojaune Cofer in early results for Sacramento mayoral election -- McCarty had about 56% of the vote and Cofer had 44% as of 8 p.m. Theresa Clift, Emma Hall and Mathew Miranda in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/6/24
Wildfire winds
Whipping winds expected to bring ‘extreme and life-threatening’ fire conditions to Los Angeles -- Because of unusually strong winds, the National Weather Service has issued a rare Particularly Dangerous Situation red flag warning for wide swaths of L.A. County and southwest California, stretching from late Tuesday through Thursday. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
Valenzuela
Public funeral for Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela set for Wednesday morning -- A public funeral Mass for Fernando Valenzuela — beloved Mexican-born pitcher, Dodgers legend and the inspiration for “Fernandomania” — will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/24
California Policy and Politics Tuesday
Newsom taps juggernaut digital operation to raise millions for Harris and Democrats -- The California governor in two years nearly tripled his email list to more than 17 million from 6 million and grew his tranche of phone numbers to nearly 11 million from 1.5 million. Christopher Cadelago Politico -- 11/5/24
Where California’s voter turnout stands so far — and what it could mean -- Early Democratic voter turnout is much higher than it was in 2022 in several key California House races, which could give Democrats a shot at retaking the House. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/5/24
Donald Trump is already laying the groundwork to challenge the election -- On the eve of the presidential election, Donald Trump and his surrogates have a message for Americans: Don’t trust the results. At least not if Trump loses. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/5/24
California’s path hinges on the presidential race: ‘No state has more to lose or gain’ -- State officials, business leaders and immigrant advocates are all preparing for whoever wins the presidential election. California’s response will be very different, depending on whether it’s Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. Alexei Koseff CalMatters -- 11/5/24
Why Californians should expect ballot measure surprises on election night -- An absence of expensive ballot fights means the state’s voters may not know as much about this year’s issue questions — and could deliver late swings that stray from polling results. Emily Schultheis Politico -- 11/5/24
Man behind country’s costliest ballot initiatives is at a crossroads -- On November 5, one of California’s most prolific ballot measure players could be both a winner and a loser if voters approve his push to expand rent control statewide while also passing an opposing measure that would cut off his political spending. Will McCarthy Politico -- 11/5/24
We talked to California college students about today’s election. Here’s what’s on their minds -- While Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris is widely expected to secure her home state of California’s electoral votes, students enrolled at California’s colleges are making important choices on other national, statewide and local races on their ballot. Camelia Heins, Amy Moore, Delilah Brumer, Victoria Mejicanos, Khadeejah Khan and June Hsu CalMatters -- 11/5/24
Poll: California electorate is younger, more diverse. Many worry Trump would not accept defeat -- Two in three of those surveyed said that if Harris wins, they don’t believe Trump will concede defeat. Faith E. Pinho and Angie Orellana Hernandez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/24
Dems scramble to hold Katie Porter’s seat as Republicans gain ground -- Democratic state Sen. Dave Min is running against Scott Baugh, a longtime GOP operative and former county party chair who narrowly lost to Porter in 2022. Christopher Cadelago Politico -- 11/5/24
California’s Central Valley could deliver the House to Democrats. Latino voters could hold the key -- Republicans say they’ve got a messaging problem. Democrats say it’s about turnout. Lara Korte Politico -- 11/5/24
These California toss-ups may decide which party controls Congress -- Closely contested congressional races in California could tip the balance on whether Democrats can retake control of the U.S. House. This year, it’s Republicans on defense. Yue Stella Yu CalMatters -- 11/5/24
How big will Democrats’ supermajority be in the Legislature after tonight’s election? -- The California Legislature is poised to see more new members than at any time in the past 10 years, but the election is unlikely to lead to any major changes in the Capitol’s partisan makeup. Ryan Sabalow and Sameea Kamal CalMatters -- 11/5/24
Walters: Biggest potential impact in California’s election? Hundreds of bonds and tax measures -- Two statewide measures would authorize the state to borrow nearly $10 billion for school projects (Proposition 2) and another $10 billion for climate change-related programs (Proposition 4). Meanwhile, Proposition 5 would lower the vote requirement for most local bond issues from two-thirds to 55%, thus making passage much easier. Dan Walters CalMatters -- 11/5/24
U.S.-bound migrants say the election doesn’t matter: ‘You’re going to suffer whoever is president’ -- Trump has vowed to deport millions of people. Harris has pledged to reduce illegal entries into the United States. Migrants remain undeterred. Patrick J. McDonnell in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/24
Why Republicans are expected to take control of the Senate -- A GOP takeover of the Senate would mean obstacles for Kamala Harris if she is elected president and a potential glide path for Donald Trump’s agenda if he wins. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/24
‘The primary was the election.’ California’s sleepy Senate race is almost over -- After California’s most competitive Senate primary in a generation, Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey are in a general election contest that hasn’t been much of one at all. Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/24
Stanford study: Political bias can be more important than truth among news consumers -- Study finds confirmation bias weighs heavier than truth in news consumption across all demographics. Ryan Macasero in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/5/24
Gaza
At famously loud Berkeley, pro-Palestinian protests have grown quieter -- The pro-Palestinian activism that exploded this spring at the famously liberal University of California, Berkeley has hit a lull ahead of the presidential election. Tyler Katzenberger Politico -- 11/5/24
Wildfire winds
Powerful Santa Ana winds threaten California with severe fire danger -- Powerful Santa Ana and Diablo winds are forecast to begin Tuesday night across California, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of potential damage, power outages and heightened wildfire risk. Anthony Edwards in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/5/24
Dangerous winds pummel California. Could power shutoffs affect voting across the state? -- Power shutoffs amid dangerous winds could affect almost 240,000 across California this week, but officials say there should be no voting disruptions, even if some polling locations lose electricity. Grace Toohey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/24
Gas prices
California regulators are pressed to come clean on gasoline prices -- California regulators are poised to vote Friday on a measure intended to accelerate the state’s transition away from fossil fuels by imposing tougher carbon-reduction requirements for gasoline and diesel. Russ Mitchell in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/24
Develop
San Franciscans Are ‘Fighting for Their Lives’ Over One Great Highway -- Residents are feuding over whether to turn a two-mile stretch of road along the Pacific Ocean into a bikeway and walking path. Heather Knight, Lauren Segal in the New York Times$ -- 11/5/24
S.F. plans revamp of Embarcadero Plaza into sprawling park with retail corridor and event stage -- A plan to dramatically transform San Francisco’s stark Embarcadero Plaza into a green and vibrant park twice the size of Union Square could move forward this week, Mayor London Breed announced Monday. Sam Whiting in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/5/24
Tribes battle over ancestral land — and a casino in California wine country -- Competition among Native gambling interests is heating up as the Biden administration seeks to relax restrictions. Julian Mark in the Washington Post$ -- 11/5/24
Homless
State sues Southern California city that banned new homeless shelters -- The state of California filed suit against Norwalk on Monday, alleging the southeastern Los Angeles County city’s moratorium on new homeless shelters and supportive housing violates half a dozen housing laws. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/24
Street
How much does Sacramento spend on police misconduct? We found $22 million in settlements -- The Sacramento Bee reviewed over 100 settlement agreements reached by the city between 2019 and the end of 2023, along with associated court filings. Ariane Lange in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/24
Top of the ticket
Harris and Trump tie in Dixville Notch midnight vote to kick off Election Day -- Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch, kicking off Election Day in one of the first places in the country to report its presidential preference. Jack ForrestCNN -- 11/5/24
Oprah, Lady Gaga bring back the joy in Kamala Harris’ final rally -- Vice President Kamala Harris held her final rally of the campaign Monday night, 106 days after President Biden dropped out, with a heavy dose of celebrity, trying to bring back the joy that characterized her early weeks on the trail. Noah Bierman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/24
Harris and Trump set sights on Pennsylvania in final push before Election Day -- Trump started the day in North Carolina and finished it in Michigan, but he spoke in Reading and Pittsburgh in between. The former president delivered stemwinders at each stop, blending false claims about voter fraud with warnings about migrants committing crimes and promises to revitalize the United States. Bill Barrow, Jill Colvin and Darlene Superville Associated Press -- 11/5/24
A Key Trump Staffer Was Fired Last Week For Being a White Nationalist -- Luke Meyer was Trump’s regional field director for western Pennsylvania. Online, he was the white nationalist Alberto Barbarossa and a co-host of Richard Spencer’s podcast. Amanda Moore Politico -- 11/5/24
Here’s how Donald Trump can win -- The polls could be underestimating Trump in the three Blue Wall states. Steven Shepard Politico Adam Nagourney in the New York Times$ -- 11/5/24
Here’s Harris’ path to winning -- Her strongest issue is abortion. Steven Shepard Politico Adam Nagourney in the New York Times$ -- 11/5/24
‘Shy Harris Voters’ and Other 2024 Polling Wild Cards -- Pollsters might have missed voting groups and trends that could tip the election outcome. Aaron Zitner in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/5/24
What That Surprising Iowa Poll Might Be Telling Us -- Sometimes outliers are early indicators, capturing something other polls just haven’t measured yet. Other times, they’re a fluke. Kaleigh Rogers in the New York Times$ -- 11/5/24
Elon Musk promotes video referencing QAnon in support of Trump -- The pro-Trump video referenced QAnon and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack to Musk’s vast following on X in the hours before polls opened on Election Day. Leo Sands in the Washington Post$ -- 11/5/24
Election officials brace for ‘little fires everywhere’ if Trump loses again -- The former president has prepared to challenge the outcome. State and local authorities are ready for more sophisticated and dispersed attacks on the system this time. Amy Gardner and Colby Itkowitz in the Washington Post$ -- 11/5/24
Rural Arizona shows how Trump allies could try to thwart election certification -- Two Republican county leaders were criminally charged after delaying certification of the 2022 election results. Arizonans worry it was a rehearsal for the 2024 presidential election. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez in the Washington Post$ -- 11/5/24
In Pennsylvania, a race to keep voters from having their ballots thrown away -- Thousands of voters are at risk of having their ballots cancelled due to simple errors, such as forgetting to date or sign the outer envelope. Colby Itkowitz in the Washington Post$ -- 11/5/24