Onetime progressive darling Katie Porter’s campaign for California governor stalled over viral videos that critics say showed temperament issues. Seven months later, they’re still her biggest liability.
Jeanne Kuang / CalMatters
Billionaire blitz: Steyer’s $132 million campaign dwarfs rivals in California governor race
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan dominated fellow Democrats in fundraising, bringing in $13 million, the most recent campaign finance disclosures show. Katie Porter raised $2.8 million, Xavier Becerra brought in $1 million, Antonio Villaraigosa raised $707,000 and Tony Thurmond raised just $62,000.
Two Republicans are fighting for California governor. Why a tie is their best strategy
Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco need to split the vote nearly evenly to lock Democrats out of the race for California governor. Their strategy? Attack each other relentlessly.
California leaders lionized César Chávez. Now, they face a reckoning with his past
Leaders up and down California, many of whom were personally inspired by César Chávez’s life’s work, are grappling with multiple allegations of sexual assault against the late labor leader.
How 9 California Democrats could sabotage their party’s race for governor
State Democratic party chair Rusty Hicks warned that the nine Democrats currently in the governor’s race could split the primary vote and send two Republicans to the November ballot.
Republican Steve Hilton leads California governor fundraising as large pool of Democrats lags
It takes tens of millions of dollars to run a statewide campaign for governor. Strategists say the many Democratic candidates aren’t raising money quickly enough.
Tom Steyer vows to cut electricity bills by 25%, but experts say the details fall short
California has the second-highest electricity bills in the nation, and no candidate for governor has homed in as much as climate investor Tom Steyer. But is his promise to cut bills 25% realistic?
The fight over how to pay for Medi-Cal puts pressure on Newsom to raise taxes
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has already vowed to tank a proposed ballot initiative that would impose a 5% wealth tax on the state’s billionaires to bolster Medi-Cal. Progressive lawmakers and their allies in labor and health seem hopeful that Newsom could support a different long-shot funding idea.
Gavin Newsom’s legacy: Can he deliver on unmet promises in his final year as governor?
Under Gavin Newsom’s tenure, health care has been expanded, but his housing goals and homelessness pledges remain unfinished. Can he deliver before eyeing the White House?
California voters approve Prop 50, redrawing congressional maps to favor Democrats
California voters overwhelmingly approved Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ballot measure on Tuesday, endorsing newly drawn maps that favor Democrats.

