Photo by Tim Foster, Capitol WeeklyTensions are running high in the state legislature’s upper house this weekend as lawmakers assess a potential leadership fight. Two senators are said to be preparing a run at Senate leader Mike McGuire, who has served as the Senate president pro tem for just under 18 months. A vote could come as early as next week.
Sharifah Hardie, image via Sharifah Hardie for Governor. In the fourth installment of our ongoing look at candidates to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom when he terms out next year, we look at Republican candidate Sharifah Hardie.
Lea Park-Kim, photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol WeeklyMost mornings, before the sun can make its appearance, you’ll find Lea Park-Kim out on the water in West Sacramento rowing or coaching with the River City Rowing Club. It’s a practice that reflects her discipline and motivation to continually evolve. That same energy has propelled her to success as the communications director for Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks).
Entrepreneur/philanthropist Stephen Cloobeck sports a little bit of the star quality some Californians seem to expect from their governors.
The 63 year old was the founder, chairman and CEO of Diamond Resorts International, a timeshare company of 92 leisure resorts and almost 400,000 owners that was purchased by Hilton Grand Vacations in 2022 for $1.9
Chad Bianco. Image from Bianco for Governor. In the third installment of our ongoing look at candidates to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom when he terms out next year, we look at Republican candidate and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Image by EvgeniyShkolenko. The Senate Appropriations Committee will determine on Friday if a bill to exclude sex offenders from a parole program for older offenders will move forward this year. For both offenders and survivors, the Committee’s decision will be life changing.
Car enthusiast Gary Ellison. Image by Ellie ApplebyIs the latest legislative effort to exempt classic cars from California’s emissions laws about to run out of gas? The answer to that question could come as early as Friday when the Senate Committee on Appropriations weighs in on SB 712, also known as “Leno’s Law” for its support from former Tonight Show host and noted car enthusiast Jay Leno.
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol Weekly. On Wednesday, May 14, Capitol Weekly hosted “California’s Insurance Crisis,” its first in-person gathering of the year and second conference of 2025. Held at the University of California Student and Policy Center, the event featured three panels and a keynote address from the California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Discussions ranged from the overall state of the insurance industry to the impact of the Los Angeles wildfires and the path forward.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol WeeklyHistorically, women have often been understudied and undertreated in health science, and menopause is no exception. Studies show that women feel like they do not receive the proper menopausal care due to a knowledge gap among their healthcare professionals. Driven by personal experience, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) introduced AB 432 this session, her second effort to address the gaps in care as the buzz around menopause gains national attention.
Xavier Becerra, Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP)In the second of our ongoing series taking a brief, concise look at all the declared candidates to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom, we take a look at former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.