California voters are deciding the fate of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50, which poses one simple question: to gerrymander or not to gerrymander? bit.ly/47qsoV7 📝 @jeannereporter.bsky.social & @mayacmiller.bsky.social 📸 Florence Middleton

Recent opinion polls show strong support for the Yes side. Newsom’s campaign is flooding the airwaves with star-studded advertisements and drowning out its opponents’ faint final pitch to voters. bit.ly/3JzVGYb 📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social 📸 Larry Valenzuela

There's no doubt that the "Yes on Prop. 50" campaign has the financial advantage and star power headed into the final countdown to Election Day (@barackobama.bsky.social is their closer in a seven-figure ad buy). But California's redistricting fight is far from over...and the race is close

In the San Joaquin Valley, inspiring voters to cast a ballot is a very different process than California's coastal hubs. And given that Democrats are hoping to draw David Valadao out of a job in the midterms, turnout will be key for Prop. 50 @mayacmiller.bsky.social calmatters.org/politics/202...

Voter turnout is low in this California region, but people are tuning in for the Newsom v. Trump showdown

Most Central Valley voters don’t know the term “Proposition 50.” But they’ll weigh in on whether California should draw new maps to fight Texas’s gerrymander.

calmatters.org

A well-known Sacramento Democrat is taking on this suddenly vulnerable California Republican calmatters.org/politics/202... via @mayacmiller.bsky.social @calmatters.org

A doctor and former California senator is Rep. Kevin Kiley’s latest Democratic challenger

Dr. Richard Pan, who is best known for his school vaccine bills, wants to hold Republicans accountable for slashing health care.

calmatters.org

Huntington Beach banned the Pride flag on city property. Gov. Gavin Newsom's maps would give them a progressive, gay congressman in Rep. Robert Garcia if Proposition 50 passes

Gavin Newsom changes his tune, as he does so often. This time it's on oil drilling after two years of political warfare with the fossil fuel industry. Many legislators are begrudgingly onboard @akoseff.bsky.social @mayacmiller.bsky.social @gauchoesque.bsky.social calmatters.org/politics/202...

Drill baby drill? It could happen again in California

After years of cracking down on California’s oil industry, Gavin Newsom is working on a deal with oil interests to avoid soaring gas prices.

calmatters.org

CA Gov. Gavin Newsom was adamant that he would make state employees return to the office four days a week starting this summer. Now many can telework till next July. Why did the gov suddenly reverse course? Find out in my first story for @calmatters.org: calmatters.org/politics/202...

Gavin Newsom ordered state workers back to the office. Why he backtracked

Newsom argued state employees needed to boost productivity and rebuild public trust by working in-office nearly full-time. Why delay? Politics, critics say.

calmatters.org

Update! I’ve joined @calmatters.org as a politics reporter! I’ll cover campaigns, state government accountability and California’s congressional delegation among many other topics. Add me to your press lists, drop me a line and let’s grab coffee: maya@calmatters.org

In the three weeks since President Trump took office and gave Elon Musk free rein inside the federal government, millions of calls have poured in to members of Congress, jamming the system. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/u...

As Trump and Musk Upend Washington, Congressional Phones Can’t Keep Up

In the three weeks since President Trump took office and gave Elon Musk free rein inside the federal government, millions of calls have poured in to members of Congress, jamming the system.

nytimes.com