Recent articles
June 29, 2026
California Hopes to Speed Up Election Results With $40 Million Infusion
It took six days to determine the outcome of the primary for Los Angeles mayor, and seven for the governor’s race.
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2026
California Will Vote on a Billionaire Tax. Billionaires Aren’t Happy.
The wealthy are fighting back with two ballot issues that could nullify the measure in November. The battle reflects a broader tension as American politics contends with deep inequality.
www.nytimes.com
June 15, 2026
Gov. Gavin Newsom Says Trump Is Investigating Him and His Wife
Aides to Gov. Gavin Newsom of California say several people associated with the couple have been contacted by federal agents in the past week. He criticized the move as politically motivated.
www.nytimes.com
June 9, 2026
Steve Hilton Wins Second Spot in California Governor Race, Beating Tom Steyer
Steve Hilton, a Republican endorsed by President Trump, will face Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, in the general election. Tom Steyer, another Democrat, will not advance.
www.nytimes.com
June 9, 2026
Doris Matsui to Face Mai Vang in General Election for Sacramento House Seat
Mai Vang, a progressive member of the Sacramento City Council, will challenge Ms. Matsui, the 81-year-old incumbent, in the general election.
www.nytimes.com
June 6, 2026
Deluged With Mail Ballots, California Takes Its Time Counting Votes Again
Experts say speeding up the count in California would take more resources, but also scaling back rules that expand voting access.
www.nytimes.com
June 5, 2026
Xavier Becerra Advances in California Governor Race
Mr. Becerra was long dismissed in the contest until the abrupt departure of Eric Swalwell created a surprise path for an experienced Democrat.
www.nytimes.com
June 3, 2026
Democratic Voters Acted Strategically in a Turbulent California Election
Without a dominant candidate in the governor’s race, Democratic voters ultimately wanted to ensure that their party wasn’t shut out of the general election.
www.nytimes.com
June 2, 2026
Why We Might Not Know California’s Election Results for Days
Polls will close at 8 p.m. local time, but California’s meticulous review process and heavy reliance on mail ballots mean races may not be called quickly.
www.nytimes.com
June 2, 2026
California’s Primary Election: What to Watch
The race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom has been unpredictable for months, while Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles is trying to fend off two challengers.
www.nytimes.com
May 31, 2026
He Was Satirized on British TV. Now He’s Trump’s Pick to Lead California.
Steve Hilton grabbed headlines when he worked in conservative politics in Britain. His American political renaissance in the California governor’s race has bemused former British colleagues and riv...
www.nytimes.com
May 30, 2026
Steyer Campaigns on Affordability. Does His Own Mansion Portfolio Matter?
Tom Steyer wants to address California’s housing crisis if he becomes governor. He is also a billionaire with extensive personal real estate holdings.
www.nytimes.com
May 29, 2026
California House Primary in Sacramento Displays Democrats’ Fierce Generational Battle
Representative Doris Matsui has been re-elected 10 times with ease. But an upstart Democrat is threatening to end her run in Congress.
www.nytimes.com
May 27, 2026
California Tries to Block Trump Involvement in Election Procedures
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that tries to stop outside officials from taking ballots or getting involved in ballot processing.
www.nytimes.com
May 22, 2026
Biden Won’t Endorse Becerra, or Anyone Else, in California Governor Race
Former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is not planning to endorse his health and human services secretary, Xavier Becerra, or any other candidates in the race.
www.nytimes.com
May 15, 2026
5 Key Moments During the California Governor Debate
Candidates have become increasingly combative as they enter the final stretch before the June 2 primary. Once again, Xavier Becerra, a Democratic front-runner, drew most of the attacks.
www.nytimes.com
May 14, 2026
Strategist Tied to Becerra and Newsom Is Expected to Plead Guilty to 3 Felonies
Dana Williamson, a former political strategist for Xavier Becerra and a former aide to Gov. Gavin Newsom, is scheduled to appear in federal court on Thursday.
www.nytimes.com
May 10, 2026
Fearing an All-Republican Governor’s Race, Democrats Push for New Primary Rules in California
The prospect of Democrats getting shut out of the general election for governor has spurred a 2028 effort to eliminate the state’s “top-two” open primary approach.
www.nytimes.com
May 7, 2026
5 Takeaways From the Last Televised California Governor Debate
Candidates debated housing and insurance policy in the first half, then furiously attacked one another at the end.
www.nytimes.com
May 6, 2026
5 Takeaways From the California Gubernatorial Debate
Seven candidates sparred in the first nationally televised debate in the 2026 California governor’s race. Many tried to launch attacks in a last-ditch effort to gain ground on their opponents.
www.nytimes.com
May 5, 2026
A Climate Activist Wants to Run California. Coal Helped Fuel His Wealth.
Questions linger about the finances of Tom Steyer, who has emerged as a leading contender in the California governor’s race. He says he has asked that his money be separated from fossil fuel invest...
www.nytimes.com
April 29, 2026
Takeaways From the California Governor Debate at Pomona College
The candidates felt pressure to differentiate themselves, with ballots going out to voters next week. The result was a more spirited battle than past debates.
www.nytimes.com
April 27, 2026
California Billionaire Tax Has Enough Signatures to Land on Ballot, Backers Say
The measure calls for placing a one-time 5 percent tax on the assets of California residents with at least $1.1 billion. Opponents are backing competing measures to counter the tax.
www.nytimes.com
April 22, 2026
California’s Governor Candidates to Meet in First Major Debate After Swalwell
Six candidates for governor will face off Wednesday night in a race that has been upended by Eric Swalwell’s sudden departure.
www.nytimes.com
April 20, 2026
Democrat Betty Yee Leaves the California Governor’s Race
Betty Yee, the former state controller, had faced pressure to drop out after hovering near the bottom of polls for months. The move could help Democrats begin to unify behind a front-runner.
www.nytimes.com