California Politics & News
Stay updated with California news, including reporting, analysis, and commentary on state government, progressive overreach, and the conservative response to Golden State policies.
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- Opinion
The ‘California Values’ That Ruined California
President Trump’s endorsement of Steve Hilton for governor of California earlier this month has sent the Democratic establishment into predictable convulsions. Katie Porter, one of the leading Democratic hopefuls, declared that the race now boils down to a stark choice: “California values against MAGA.” Others called Hilton a “Trump puppet.” The implication is clear: Any candidate endorsed by President Trump is…Drew Allen -
- News
California Dems in Disarray After Swalwell’s Exit
A handful of Democrats are still vying for California’s top office, leaving many to wonder which candidate could rise to the top now that former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell is out. Within a matter of two days, Swalwell went from being the top Democratic candidate for California’s highest office to announcing the end of his…Hailey Gomez -
- News
‘Unconstitutional Stop Nick Shirley Act’ Pushed by California Democrats
After independent journalist Nick Shirley sparked a national news cycle in January over alleged state-administered fraud, California lawmakers have moved to restrict the activities of independent journalists who question government spending, according to state officials. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal, California state Assemblyman David Tangipa said the California Legislature is advancing what… -
- Opinion
Democrats’ Jungle Primary Boomerang Hits Swalwell Hard
ditor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s video from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of his videos. Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for The Daily Signal. Here in California, we’re having a primary coming up in June. Since 2010, by ballot initiative, we have jungle primaries, where the…Victor Davis Hanson -
- Opinion
Here’s Where California Democrats Stand on the Explosive Eric Swalwell Allegations
DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—Barely any of Rep. Eric Swalwell’s fellow elected California Democrats have called for him to resign his Congressional seat—though some said he should drop out of the state’s gubernatorial race—after multiple women accused him of sexual assault Friday. A former Swalwell staffer alleged he sexually assaulted her twice when she was intoxicated…Anthony Iafrate -
- Opinion
California’s High-Speed Rail Still Isn’t Running—But the Spending Never Stops
It’s been more than a decade and a half since I first wrote that the California bullet train to nowhere would be a disaster. I write that not just to toot my own horn. It was an easy prediction to make, even for my much younger and less cynical self. No, I’m noting the timeline because after…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
The California Exodus Grows as Affordability Crisis Pushes Residents Out
The California Exodus is quickening, and it turns out the people leaving don’t have to wander too long to find a new promised land. That’s the takeaway from several recent reports showing that the population decline in California is becoming extreme, but that the people who choose to leave the state are finding life much…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
California Gubernatorial Debate Canceled When Only White Candidates Made the Cut
The University of Southern California canceled its gubernatorial debate 24 hours before it was to start. Why? The six candidates who qualified under polling and fundraising metrics were—gasp!—all white. Democrat candidates of color immediately accused USC of excluding “candidates of color.” Mind you, their platforms—on housing, crime, homelessness, taxes, etc.—are virtually indistinguishable. Is there a…Larry Elder -
- News
Daily Signal Expands to California With New State Bureau
The Daily Signal is expanding its state-level reporting with the launch of a new California bureau, adding a team of journalists dedicated to original reporting, investigations, and commentary from the nation’s most populous state. The California bureau will focus on coverage of state government, public policy, and cultural issues, with particular attention to how decisions…Rob Bluey -
- Opinion
Newsom Is Murdering California’s Energy Industry
When I was growing up, many Americans viewed California as the sunny state with unlimited resources, an entrepreneurial spirit that inspired people across the country, and energy sources that the U.S. and the world desperately needed. Today’s California is the exact opposite of that, and it’s truly a shame. Everyone can see that California Gov….Rep. Cynthia Lummis -
- Opinion
Resurrecting the California Dream
When I first moved to California, the Golden State was like an oasis, with red-golden sunsets, wide-open spaces, lush greenery, opal blue waters, and grocery stores selling fruit I’d never even heard of. Back then, California felt like its own country, one where hard work could build a real life of joy and endless possibility….Arjun Buxi -
- Opinion
California’s DEI Obsession Derails Democrat Primary Debate
It’s amazing how much California does these days to roll into its stereotype as a dysfunctional, woke-ified political wasteland. On Tuesday, the University of Southern California canceled its scheduled gubernatorial debate after several top Democrats reportedly waged a pressure campaign to put a halt to it. The field is currently wide open with Democrat Gov….Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Gas Taxes Are Rising Nationally—and Nowhere More Than California
Across the nation, states are raising their gas taxes. Leading the way, California now has a 70.9-cent per-gallon state excise tax. The Tax Foundation says the “gas tax is meant to function as a user fee, charging drivers to fund the construction and maintenance of the roads they use.” States apply tax gas in a variety of ways; most add tax at…Reagan Campbell -
- Opinion
California’s ‘Butterfly’ Bridge Fiasco Exposes Blue State Dysfunction
I think this may be the most California story of all time. In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the groundbreaking of a giant wildlife bridge across the 101 Freeway in Southern California. He noted that while the project came with a $54 million price tag, it could be completed with another $10 million. For those who’ve followed…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
Fact-Checking Newsom’s Absurd Low-Tax California Claim
Gov. Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken says that California is a low-tax state. Yes, really. At an SXSW conference Sunday in Austin, Texas, Gov. Gavin Newsom had the chutzpah to argue that, actually, Texas and Florida are higher tax states than California. “We have the most progressive tax rates in America,” Newsom said when asked about…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
US Sues California Over Zero-Emission Vehicle, Greenhouse Gas Rules
REUTERS—The Trump administration on Thursday sued the state of California, claiming the state’s zero-emission vehicle and tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions rules are illegal and preempted by federal law. The Transportation Department sued the California Air Resources Board in U.S. District Court in California over vehicle rules that remain in place after President Donald Trump signed legislation last year…David Shepardson -
- Opinion
California’s Inferno of Regulations
Last year, California wildfires destroyed 13,000 homes. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced: “We are 100% committed to getting this neighborhood rebuilt again!” Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed that, saying his officials were “responding to it at scale, with efficiency … addressing building codes, permitting issues, and moving forward to rebuilding.” Great! It sounded like bureaucrats…John Stossel -
- News
‘WATERSHED MOMENT’: Supreme Court Rules on Gender Secrecy Policies
The Supreme Court Monday vindicated parental rights, upholding an injunction against California’s gender secrecy policy, which mandated that school staff hide a student’s claimed transgender identity from parents unless the student expressly consented to reveal it. “This is a watershed moment for parental rights in America,” Paul Jonna, special counsel at the Thomas More Society,…Tyler O’Neil -
- News
‘California Is Broken’: Elaine Culotti Launches Run for Governor
Elaine Culotti, a California-based entrepreneur and reality TV personality, is running for governor of the Golden State. “California is broken, but it can be fixed,” Culotti says in her announcement video, which aired Thursday on “The Adam Carolla Show.” Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom is term limited and cannot run for reelection in 2026. Culotti says,…George Caldwell -
- Opinion
‘You Owe Us’ Is the Mantra of the Left
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of a segment from today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words” from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to Hanson’s own YouTube channel to watch past episodes. Sami Winc: Two things that came together for me. One was [New York City Mayor Zohran] Mamdani’s…Victor Davis Hanson