THE BUZZ — PADILLA IN THE CLEAR: California’s 2022 Senate race looks like it will be a sleepy affair — but 2024 could bring a brawl.
Rep. Ro Khanna drained the drama from the 2022 contest on Monday by endorsing incumbent Sen. Alex Padilla, as Carla reports — effectively removing himself from the running. It’d been an open secret that the progressive Khanna was considering challenging Padilla from the left. And until Monday, Khanna’s name was conspicuously absent from the nearly all-encompassing list of California Democrats who had pledged their support for Padilla’s reelection.
A Democratic challenge had loomed as Padilla’s greatest obstacle to retaining his seat. California’s last two Senate contests culminated in Democrat-on-Democrat runoffs. While Padilla has long been a member of the California Democratic Party establishment in good standing, he wasn’t seen in Sacramento as a left-wing firebrand. But since arriving in Washington, Padilla has embraced progressive litmus tests like abolishing the filibuster. Khanna lauded Padilla as a “progressive fighter” for issues like the “Green New Deal” and “Medicare for All.”
So it looks like elected California Democrats will be unified behind Padilla. That would forestall intraparty conflict in a statewide contest and avoid turning the race into a microcosm of national Democratic Party fissures. But it also removes a depressurizing prelude to whenever California’s other Senate seat opens up.
THE FIGHT AHEAD: Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s political timeline has been the subject of feverish speculation since basically the moment she won reelection in 2018. Questions about whether she will retire in 2024 — or even abdicate her seat early — have only intensified as Feinstein has incurred the left’s wrath and as her apparently declining health troubles her colleagues. The Democratic melee will be intense if Feinstein does choose to step aside, and Khanna’s decision to bow out for 2022 could mean he’ll be part of an even more crowded 2024 field.
California has an overabundance of Democrats and a scarcity of higher offices. And statewide seats only open so often — particularly those, like California’s U.S. Senate slots, that come with no term limits. Redistricting could relieve some of that logjam; California is losing a House seat and some greying Democrats may decide it’s not worth running in their newly redrawn districts, which could set off a cascade of retirements and openings. But there are only two coveted Senate seats, and it looks like Padilla will retain his for a while. So when the other one becomes available, buckle up.
BUENOS DÍAS, good Tuesday morning. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory are in California for a multiday visit, which today will highlight clean energy efforts like offshore wind development.
Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit [email protected] or [email protected] or follow us on Twitter @cmarinucci and @jeremybwhite.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “These were open questions when he was appointed and he has really been a progressive fighter. … He’s really been good on all of the key progressive issues that he, that I care about.” Khanna tells the SF Chronicle why he’s endorsing Padilla.
TWEET OF THE DAY: Democratic recall candidate Kevin Paffrath @RealMeetKevin on Dems leaving the replacement question blank: “SO STUPID! @latimes today says: "40% of all Democrats surveyed [say] they don’t intend to fill out the second part of the ballot" VERY DUMB! This is like a child saying, 'if I can't have candy for lunch, I just won't eat!' Giving up the civic right to choose a backup. Really dumb”
WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.
TOP TALKERS
WARMING PLANET — Time to 'get scared': World's scientists say disastrous climate change is here, by POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Karl Mathiesen: For the first time, the planet's top scientists said in a monumental report released on Monday they have definitively linked greenhouse gas emissions to the type of disasters driven by a warmer climate that have touched every corner of the globe this year: extreme rainfall in Germany and China, brutal droughts in the western U.S., a record cyclone in the Philippines and compound events like the wildfires and heat waves from the Pacific Northwest to Siberia to Greece and Turkey.
THAT HEADLINE — “Gavin Newsom allows parole of Clovis killer who buried developmentally disabled man alive,” by the Fresno Bee’s Thaddeus Miller.
— “The judge upending California’s gun laws: ‘Blessed’ jurist or ‘stone-cold ideologue’?” by LATimes’ Laura J. Nelson and Kristina Davis: “For nearly two decades, U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez was a low-profile jurist handling routine immigration and drug cases in San Diego federal court. Then, in three consecutive years, the 70-year-old judge made a trio of rulings that have upended California’s gun laws and launched him into the intensifying national debate over guns.”
CAMPAIGN MODE
LEAVE IT BLANK — Newsom urges Democrats to skip recall candidate question, by POLITICO’s Jeremy B. White: “We’re just focusing on ‘no’ on the recall, leaving the rest blank,” Newsom said. Newsom’s admonition highlights the strategic gamble his campaign took in dissuading other prominent Democrats from running … As a result, recall ballots will list several prominent Republican candidates but no Democrats with political experience. If Democratic voters leave that second question blank, they could effectively be ceding the question of Newsom’s successor to Republican voters and other recall supporters.
SHE’S BACK — “Jenner heading to U.S.-Mexico border as part of California recall campaign tour,” by Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser and Andrew Murray.
— “How did John Cox go from GOP standard-bearer to bears and trash balls?” by CalMatters’ Ben Christopher: “In 2018, the San Diego millionaire was the Republican pick for governor. In the 2021 Newsom recall, he is a man without a party. And Cox is just fine with that.”
— “Skelton: One of the first rules of politics is to show up. Larry Elder broke it with the recall debate debate,” by LATimes’ George Skelton: “Elder missed a golden opportunity to distinguish himself from the other Republicans — especially the moderate Faulconer — and rally his conservative base, not only to his candidacy but to turn out en masse for the recall.”
CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR
PUBLIC VAX PUSHBACK — “California correctional officers union to fight new COVID-19 vaccine mandate, memo says,” by the Sac Bee’s Wes Venteicher: “The California Correctional Peace Officers Association said in the emailed note to members that it would use ‘all the tools at its disposal,’ including legal appeals and labor negotiations, to fight two recent efforts to mandate vaccinations.”
— “In conspiracy-tinged letters, 200 S.F. employees push back on city's vaccine mandate,” by the SF Chronicle’s Megan Cassidy and Erin Allday: “About 103 of the approximately 192 workers who submitted missives are employed by the fire department, with sheriff’s office employees making up the second-largest group, according to HR officials.”
— “Fake COVID-19 vaccination cards worry college officials,” by AP’s Roselyn Romero.
SANCTUARY STATE STRUGGLE — “A Vietnamese refugee served as one of California's inmate firefighters. Then the state gave him to ICE,” by the SF Chronicle’s Deepa Fernandes: “Activists and lawmakers are moving to close this loophole with AB937 … which would prohibit any incarcerated non-citizen from being handed to immigration authorities upon release. It now heads to the Senate’s Appropriations Committee on Aug. 16 and must be approved by the full Legislature by Sept. 10 to be signed into law this year.”
— “Sheriff’s Department Is a Closed Book on Who Can Go to Jail,” by Voice of San Diego’s Lisa Halverstadt: “Early in the pandemic, most jail bookings for misdemeanor offenses ground to a halt. Some policies have since shifted – but the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department won’t release details on its booking policies or say which offenses make someone eligible to be booked into jail.”
HARD LESSONS — “Bay Area schools brace for wave of pandemic-scarred students: 'We're going to heal together',” by SFChronicle’s Jill Tucker: “Education and mental health experts have been warning about the devastating impact of the pandemic on youth, citing the rising rates of depression, obesity, anxiety and absenteeism as well as academic struggles. They believe teachers and school staff will see a significant fallout for months or years to come.”
— “L.A. considers sweeping vaccination rules for public spaces. What we know,” by LATimes’ Luke Money and Jaclyn Cosgrove.
— “California lawmakers and teachers unions stop short of a vaccine mandate,” by CalMatters’ Joe Hong.
BLAST AFTERMATH — “Residents displaced by LAPD fireworks explosion feel angry, alone, ignored. ‘We lost a lot’,” by LATimes’ Brittny Mejia and Kevin Rector: “Some complain of injuries suffered in the blast. Others have lost work. Some say they will never regain what they lost.”
— “Hundreds of veterans are homeless in Sacramento, many sleeping outdoors. What can be done?” by SacBee’s Theresa Clift: “There are an estimated 646 homeless veterans in Sacramento County, 75.5% of whom are sleeping outdoors or in vehicles, according to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report released this year. Only one other major city in the country, Los Angeles, had a higher percentage of its homeless veterans sleeping outdoors.”
BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL
— “Decrying ‘evil’ of abortion, L.A. archbishop became public face of plan that could deny Biden Communion,” by LATimes’ Marisa Gerber: “As president of the bishops conference and leader of the nation’s largest archdiocese, (Los Angeles Archbishop José H.) Gómez — who through representatives declined one request to be interviewed for this story, and failed to directly respond to two other such requests — has found himself at the center of a bitter dispute at the intersection of faith and politics.”
— “Trump told California to sweep the forest floors. What’s Biden’s plan to combat wildfires?” by SacBee’s Gillian Brassil and Dale Kasler: “After four years of antagonism between Sacramento and Washington, the state has a friend in the White House — and, perhaps more importantly, a president who agrees with California’s leaders on the root cause of the wildfire crisis plaguing the West.”
SILICON VALLEYLAND
— “Big Tech call center workers face pressure to accept home surveillance,” by NBC’s Olivia Solon: “Six workers based in Colombia for Teleperformance, one of the world’s largest call center companies, which counts Apple, Amazon and Uber among its clients, said that they are concerned about the new contract, first issued in March. The contract allows monitoring by AI-powered cameras in workers’ homes, voice analytics and storage of data collected from the worker’s family members, including minors.”
HOLLYWOODLAND
— “SAG-AFTRA accuses Disney of ‘gender-shaming and bullying’ in Scarlett Johansson fight,” by LATimes’ Anousha Sakoui.
MIXTAPE
— “Robert Durst takes stand at his trial, denies killing friend,” by AP’s Andrew Dalton.
— “Dust to dust: Will California lawmakers legalize human composting — transforming bodies into soil?” by CalMatters’ Marissa Garcia.
— “Landlord sues L.A. for $100 million, saying anti-eviction law caused ‘astronomical’ losses,” by LATimes’ David Zahniser.
— “Vaccine boosters haven’t been approved. Some San Diegans are getting them anyway,” by San Diego Union-Tribune’s Jonathan Wosen and Gary Warth.
BIRTHDAYS
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks … state Sen. Steve Glazer … Amazon’s Cameron Onumah … Larry Remer is 71....
CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here.
Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: [email protected].
"blank" - Google News
August 10, 2021 at 08:15PM
https://ift.tt/3yNYXIw
KHANNA won't challenge PADILLA for Senate — NEWSOM: leave RECALL Q2 blank — JENNER heads to Mexico border - Politico
"blank" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3aXU3fw
https://ift.tt/2Wij67R
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "KHANNA won't challenge PADILLA for Senate — NEWSOM: leave RECALL Q2 blank — JENNER heads to Mexico border - Politico"
Post a Comment