Experts Expound: Christmas edition

Let’s say you are Santa Claus: who from California politics is getting the biggest box under the tree this year? Conversely, who is getting a fat lump of coal in their stocking? 

“Assemblymember Buffy Wicks gets a pony for her work on permitting and CEQA reform. Dana Williamson has to top Santa’s naughty list.”

Kamala Harris. Photo by Gage Skidmore.

“This is easy: Santa’s been good to Newsom all year — Prop. 50, and he still has his book drop in February— while the lump of coal goes to Kamala Harris. A dud of a book, and even a majority of CA Democrats tell pollsters they don’t want her to run for president again.”

“The biggest box should go to election officials, especially in red areas of our state, that have had to deal with constant threats and harassment as they have been faithfully discharging their duty to support our democratic processes with few resources and little recognition. The lump of coal should go to the Governor’s social media team. A few parodies of the Trump approach were fine to take the President down a notch and show that two can play at this game. But the enduring juvenile behavior just takes California down into the muck rather than holding the state up as a beacon of reasonableness in an insane time.”

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. Photo by Scott Duncan

“Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks and Maggy Krell get the biggest gifts. Both are crazy smart and are focused on real policy. Governor Newsom probably wants to shut down coal mines because that is what he gets in his stocking every year… not likely to stop.”

“After a difficult economic year starting off with the Palisades and Altadena fires, and the tragic placement of Trump’s troops in LA followed by the fear ICE raids have brought to so many California communities – Gavin Newsom deserves a few months of quiet and happiness with his family, a Legislature helpful in putting forward real ways to fix the structural deficit and assist Californians through their health care increases. More than that, his trolling of Trump and his leadership in pushing Trump back through Prop 50 and other major moves earns him presents galore. Maybe even some calm weather.

Dana Williamson. Image via AP.

Who gets the fat lump of coal? So many to choose from – Katie Porter definitely earned white elephant gifts for her disastrous campaign moves and behavior. ‘Acting’ US Attorney Bill Essayli thought he’d be ruling Southern California by now wreaking havoc on immigrants – so not getting the job after giving up his seat seems like a big lump of something. But the winner has to be Dana Williamson. The FBI investigations leading to her arrest on at least 23 felonious charges disgraced not only the very institution she worked for but made a sad mockery of her career. There are those who believe Karma has a way of righting wrongs so maybe that’s this year’s lump of coal!

Wishing Happy Holidays to you all.”

“Biggest box under the tree goes to Ashley Zavala. No one else of her high profile is willing to ask uncomfortable questions of those in power. She will undoubtedly be snatched away by some national news outlet, so let’s enjoy her while she is in Sacramento. The fat lump of coal goes to Izzy Gardon in the Governor’s press office. He is childish and an embarrassment, and he needs someone who cares about him to put him over their knee for a reality-check spanking. Hating Trump so much that he becomes like him is a loser move.”

Gavin Newsom. Photo by AP.

“Governor Newsom gets the biggest box, delivered straight from The White House every day. Donald Trump is the gift that keeps on giving for Newsom to use as a foil as he launches his presidential run.

Karen Bass gets the lump of coal, or shall we shall charcoal, from the remains of the Palisades Fire that may just well prevent her from being re-elected.”

Illustration by Chris Shary, for Capitol Weekly

“Big Present: Ashley Zavala, KCRA 3’s political reporter, for proving that real journalism still exists—and occasionally makes politicians very, very uncomfortable. Lump of Coal: Governor Gavin Newsom, for turning California governance into a side hustle while he pursues full-time presidential ambition.”

“The lump of coal is for Greg Campbell, who threw away a multi-million dollar firm for walking around money. Santa will be kindest to Gov. Newsom because he was smart enough to distance himself from all the current scandals.”

“Newsom and Padilla share the biggest box – Newsom for his constant torture campaign against Donald Trump and Padilla for the restraint he showed with regard to the 2026 gubernatorial campaign. The lump of coal has already been delivered to Kevin Kiley in the form of a new district he cannot win.”

“I think it’s only coal this year for California.”

Illustration by Chris Shary, Capitol Weekly

“The biggest box under the tree goes to Nathan Barankin. Sitting today with the governor at the top of the 2028 field and with huge popularity, it could seem like he has an easy job. But those of us who have watched his term as chief of staff know he came in at a low point for Newsom and transformed both his governorship and his future prospects by overseeing a bold move with a communications team effectively combatting Trump directly in the Trumpian style and a bold state national play with Prop 50 and redistricting.

The lump of coal goes to Xavier Becerra’s former chief of staff Sean McCluskie.”

“The biggest box should go to Tom Steyer’s political team for their Love Actually inspired political ad. The biggest lump of coal should go to the Consumer Attorneys of California for allowing its membership to bankrupt public entities and drive insurers out of state.”

Our panel of experts: Elizabeth Ashford, Hector Barajas, A.G. Block, Barry Brokaw, Samantha Corbin, Jon Costantino, Richard Costigan, Tim Foster, Rex Frazier, John Howard, Fiona Hutton, Gale Kaufman, Steven Maviglio, Mike MeCey, Paul Mitchell, Jack Ohman, Kassy Perry, Matt Rexroad, Garry South, Paula Treat, Micah Weinberg, Bill Wong, Daniel Zingale