Mark Z. Barabak is a political columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on California and the West. He has covered campaigns and elections in 49 of the 50 states, including 13 presidential contests and scores of mayoral, legislative, gubernatorial and congressional races. He also reported from the White House and Capitol Hill during the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations. Follow him on Bluesky at markzbarabak.bsky.social and on X at markzbarabak.
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Becerra and Hilton have emerged as the candidates to beat. But dozens of interviews across the San Gabriel Valley, a prime campaign battleground, find many voters still undecided. And discouraged.
Candidates pile on the Democratic front-runner, Xavier Becerra, including a white-paper wielding Katie Porter. But nothing happened that’s likely to shake up the race as it careens toward the finish. Some inspiration would help.
Far from boring, the contest is the most wide open in a generation, with a potential to make history in November. Those yawning at the contest may be looking for glitz and entertainment. Voters aren’t.
Villaraigosa had a strong night. Becerra projected steadiness. Bianco was the biggest loser. Where did all of this land with California voters?
As ballots arrive at homes throughout the state, residents have to decide when to vote, so they can respond to late-breaking events but not risk their ballot arriving too late to count.
A hectic debate in the race for California’s next governor didn’t have a breakout candidate, but it did have winners.
Candidates in California’s race for governor meet Tuesday for the second of three planned debates. Times columnists Gustavo Arellano, Mark Z. Barabak and Anita Chabria weigh in.
A constitutional provision allowing Congress to determine its makeup has some worried a Democratic victory could be nullified. Skepticism abounds, but Trump has repeatedly breached long-standing norms.
A retired potato farmer in St. George, Utah, wanted to show his solidarity with demonstrators at an anti-Trump rally held deep in pro-Trump country. He sees politics behind the citation.
The ex-congressman had a reputation for lavishing inappropriate and unwelcome attention on women. But reporters needed time to get evidence and firsthand accounts.