After 10 years, the top-two California primary system is under fire again, but the problems may have more to do with political gamesmanship. A strategy in a state Senate district appears to have backfired.
CalMatters
Posted inLatest News
Overworked California firefighters struggle with PTSD, suicide, fatigue, intensifying wildfires
Cal Fire faces a mental health crisis. As wildfires burn year-round, thousands of overworked California firefighters carry a heavy load of trauma, pain and grief. They leave a fire but the fire never leaves them.
Posted inK-12 Education
Spending spree: Oversight scarce as billions in COVID aid poured into California schools
A CalMatters investigation found that schools had wildly different approaches to stimulus spending — from laptops to shade structures to an ice cream truck. No centralized database exists to show the public exactly where the money went.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Controller: Republican Chen, but which Democrat?
Republican Lanhee Chen had 36% of the vote for state controller in partial returns as of early Wednesday, with three Democrats — State Board of Equalization Chairperson Malia Cohen, state Sen. Steve Glazer, Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin and Monterey Park City Councilmember Yvonne Yiu — trailing.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Analysis: Democratic factions vie for power in Assembly in Speaker faceoff
Clashes between progressive and moderate Democratic factions in the California Assembly have sparked a leadership power struggle between Robert Rivas, whose district includes parts of Santa Cruz County, and incumbent Speaker Anthony Rendon, Dan Walters writes.
Posted inK-12 Education
What has Tony Thurmond done as California schools chief?
Tony Thurmond faces little opposition for a second term as California schools superintendent, but critics question how much he has accomplished. He points to task forces that are influencing education policy and says he wants to help public schools rebound from the pandemic.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Money wars: Special interests spend big in California primary
Independent expenditure committees funded by special interest groups are spending millions of dollars to make their picks in the California primary. In some races, they are clearly supporting or opposing candidates. In others, the strategy is more complicated.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Analysis: Progressives vie with ‘mod squad’ for power in California Legislature
This year’s California elections are a venue for the state Legislature’s power struggle, pitting progressive Democrats against business-friendly moderates.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What would Lanhee Chen do as California controller?
In a 70-minute interview with CalMatters reporters, Lanhee Chen, the only Republican running for state controller, talks about his priorities and how he would work with Democrats in power.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What would Malia Cohen do as California controller?
Democrat Malia Cohen wants to expand the role of state controller and advance equity and diversity in the job. In an 80-minute interview with CalMatters, she says the state’s COVID response proves the need to do better on both those goals.