Politics

Republican Rep. Ken Calvert, left, and Democrat Will Rollins. (U.S. House; courtesy of Will Rollins) The battleground race in California’s 41st Congressional District is a rematch between Republican Rep. Ken Calvert and Democrat Will Rollins, a former federal prosecutor. For decades, Calvert, the longest-serving GOP member of California’s congressional delegation, has largely coasted to reelection … Read more

Republican Rep. Mike Garcia, left, and Democratic challenger George Whitesides. (Associated Press) In California’s 27th Congressional District, Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita) is facing off with Democrat George Whitesides, a former NASA chief of staff. The hotly contested race will be crucial in determining which party controls the U.S. House. Democrats hold a large registration … Read more

Republican challenger Matt Gunderson, left, and Democratic Rep. Mike Levin. (Andrew Kleske; Meeno Peluce) In California’s 49th Congressional District, Republican Matt Gunderson is taking on Democratic incumbent Rep. Mike Levin to represent portions of Orange and San Diego counties. Registered Democrats have a slight advantage in the district, where the most pivotal issues include the … Read more

Democratic state Sen. Dave Min, left, and Republican Scott Baugh. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press; Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) The battle for the open seat in California’s 47th Congressional District pits Democratic state Sen. Dave Min against Republican business owner Scott Baugh in a race that both parties see as pivotal in their … Read more

(Los Angeles Times) The Los Angeles City Charter spells out the powers and duties of city departments, offices and elected officials, among other things. Voters have approved 29 changes to the charter since 2000, the last time a new charter went into effect. Just five ballot measures have failed to pass, according to city officials. … Read more

(Los Angeles Times) Nearly 35 years ago, voters decided that Los Angeles City Hall needed a watchdog, one with the power to investigate illegal campaign donations, potential conflicts of interest and other ethics violations. Now, after a string of corruption scandals, Charter Amendment ER, a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot, would strengthen the Ethics … Read more

Laura Richardson and Michelle Chambers, both Democrats. (Laura Richardson; Daphne Smith) Two Democrats are running in the November election to succeed California state Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) in Senate District 35. Michelle Chambers and Laura Richardson emerged as the top two of eight candidates who ran in March’s all-party primary. Both experienced in public office, … Read more

Sade Elhawary, left, and Efren Martinez, both Democrats. (Brian van der Brug, Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Democratic Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer will be forced out of office this year due to term limits, and for the first time in more than a decade this South Los Angeles district has an open seat. Two … Read more

Sherlett Hendy Newbill and Kahllid Al-Alim. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) The contest for the District 1 seat on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education matches Sherlett Hendy Newbill, an educator with extensive high school experience, against Kahllid Al-Alim, a longtime community activist and parent. The winner will replace George McKenna, … Read more

(Los Angeles Times) The November election will give Los Angeles-area voters the opportunity to enact sweeping changes over who will have access to political power — through the process of how voter districts are shaped. The redesign of L.A. City Council districts through Charter Amendment DD is getting the most attention. But voters also will … Read more