CalMatters

News

Democrat Xavier Becerra advances to November race for California governor

Xavier Becerra pulled ahead of rival Steve Hilton in election results returned Friday.

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, a man with medium skin tone, wearing a dark blue suit and glasses, smiles as he claps his hands.

Housing & Homelessness

A California housing bill would raise wages to $28. Why do some unions hate it?

The California trades unions and the carpenters union are at odds again over a minimum wage provision in a housing bill.

A construction worker, wearing a yellow safety vest and white safety helm, bends down to cut a piece of wood with a saw. He stands in a construction site with a building under construction.

Voter Guides

The top-two primary was supposed to change California politics. Did it flop?

California's top-two primary was designed to create moderate candidates and reduce partisanship. Instead, November races are as partisan as ever.

A person votes in a voting booth near a set of stairs. Election workers help a person at a table out of focus in the foreground.

Criminal Justice

In a first, California Supreme Court reverses a death sentence under new racial justice law

A Los Angeles prosecutor likened a Black murder suspect to a Bengal tiger. Decades later, the California Supreme Court found that trope showed unacceptable racial bias.

The silhouettes of people are seen against a multi-story stone and brick building in the background.

Civics & Democracy

5 things to know about the Trump administration’s new green card policy

Just before Memorial Day, the Trump administration issued a sweeping new policy directive that took aim at legal immigration.

A crowd of people standing outside lined up in rows hold American flags in one hand as they raise their other hand.

Voter Guides

Who’s winning California’s statewide races? Here’s what we know so far

California voters are determining the general election candidates for eight statewide offices.

A man votes in a voting booth. A person, out of focus in the foreground, walks by.

Voter Guides

Five things to know about California’s election, from Congress to the governor’s race

You won't see a Republican vs. Republican matchup in the California governor's race as Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton hold the top two spots.

Voter Guides

Will Trump’s waning popularity pull down California Republicans? Today’s election offers a clue

Democrats seek to oust even more Republicans in California legislative races. Many will move on to November.