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.
StateWatch
Posted inPolitics & Policy
With a triumphant primary win, Newsom eyes the road ahead
With little chance of losing in November and unencumbered by typical reelection politics, Gov. Gavin Newsom is poised to instead focus on continuing to insert the state into the national debate issues that could boost his political profile.
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L.A. mayor’s race: Rick Caruso and Karen Bass headed to November runoff
Billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso holds a narrow lead over U.S. Rep. Karen Bass in the race to replace Mayor Eric Garcetti.
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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.
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Attorney general: Incumbent Bonta, but which Republican?
Early returns put incumbent Rob Bonta far ahead of the pack, with 56% of the vote. Vying for second place are Republican Nathan Hochman with 18% and Republican Eric Early with 16%. Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert was trailing with 8%.
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San Francisco voters recall progressive D.A. Boudin. Crime and homelessness at issue
Progressive San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin is recalled after a bitter and pricey campaign amid rising fears over crime and homelessness.
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California Sen. Alex Padilla advances in midterm primary election
Sen. Alex Padilla, who was appointed to the post after Kamala Harris became vice president, easily won a spot on the November ballot after California voters hit the polls on Tuesday. The Porter Ranch Democrat, a former Los Angeles and state elected official, faced underfunded and unknown competitors in the race. “I’m honored to have […]
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Political party ID dominates California attorney general’s race, other state contests
California’s closely watched primary race for attorney general faded into a standard partisan contest Tuesday, giving the Democratic incumbent Atty. Geb. Rob Bonta an easy victory for the top spot on the Nov. 8 ballot to likely face one of two Republicans instead of a high-profile independent prosecutor. Bonta easily led the field of five […]
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Gov. Newsom advances to November as California primary returns come in
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s showing in California’s primary shows how formidable he is even after COVID-19, devastating wildfires and worsening homelessness.
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2022 U.S. Senate race in California cheat sheet: Challengers take on Alex Padilla
After Alex Padilla was appointed to the seat vacated by Kamala Harris, voters will see two races — a special Senate election covering the Harris term that ends this year and the regularly scheduled one for a six-year term that begins in January — next to each other on the June ballot and then again in November.