Politics

More than a few people in Sacramento call Assemblywoman Diane Martinez (D-Monterey Park) “Miss Congeniality”–a joke about her combative approach, her feuds with legislators of both parties and her take-no-prisoners approach to her job. And, in spite of her incumbency and support of the Democratic leadership, some are predicting that she is going to need … Read more

Sakshi Nanda, a foreign worker in Connecticut, was laid off by a health technology company last month. “I haven’t processed the information yet. I am still in a state of shock,” she said. (Christopher Capozziello / For The Times) Sakshi Nanda has 28 days to find a new job. Nanda is a foreign worker on … Read more

Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris complained Thursday that they did not sign off on three White House nominees for open California seats on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and said they would oppose their confirmation in the Senate. President Trump announced Wednesday evening he had nominated Assistant U.S. Atty. for the Southern District … Read more

Rep. Young Kim onstage during the Concordia annual summit on Sept. 18 in New York City. (John Lamparski / Getty Images) He built his brand on being a roaring archconservative unafraid to take on liberals. He was a pioneer of this new right-wing faction that has become the face of the Republican Party. He was … Read more

Nearly four decades ago, after erecting his eponymous skyscraper on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, Donald Trump would sit behind his rosewood desk and muse about working in an even more powerful office. “These politicians don’t know anything,” he said. “Maybe I should run for president. Wouldn’t that be something?” Barbara Res, a longtime executive in … Read more

A flamboyant former Texas savings and loan owner was charged Wednesday with using the thrift’s money to contribute illegally to powerful politicians and to pay prostitutes. The federal indictment accuses Don R. Dixon of 38 criminal counts in the collapse of Vernon Savings & Loan in tiny Vernon, Tex.–a debacle that could cost taxpayers as … Read more

The week after Labor Day, Americans are traditionally blindsided by a new political season–speeches and sparring among aspirants for President or town clerk. This week two unusual candidates for political attention are emerging with typical hype and pandering. But this time the hopefuls are magazines, not men. On Thursday the inaugural issue of George, a … Read more

Henry Salvatori, an Italian immigrant who became a confidant and major contributor to the nation’s most powerful and successful Republicans, including three U.S. presidents, has died. He was 96. Salvatori, remembered as a key figure in Ronald Reagan’s “kitchen cabinet” of advisors, died Sunday at St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica. A champion of … Read more

Candidate for governor Dianne Feinstein and her investment banker husband, Richard Blum, reported earning nearly $7.4 million last year and paid $2.5 million of it in combined state and federal taxes–putting them in the rarefied top 0.02% of California money-makers. The two, who are financing a large share of Feinstein’s campaign, released their 1989 tax … Read more

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa endorsed Michael R. Bloomberg for president on Saturday, saying the billionaire’s experience as mayor of New York City demonstrated that he has the skills to run the nation. “I’m with Michael Bloomberg because I watched him lead America’s largest city, which has always been a gateway of hope, promise … Read more