Democratic Congressional candidate Rudy Salas speaks to a crowd of volunteers at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Bakersfield on October 15, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local
California is not often seen as a “battleground state” because Democrats have firm control of statewide offices and the Legislature. But California could decide which party controls Congress, and both parties and their allies are spending tens of millions of dollars to seize this opportunity.
As CalMatters political reporter Yue Stella Yu explains, outside political groups that operate independently of candidates’ campaigns are gaining traction in some of California’s most competitive congressional districts. pouring money into it. In the five closest races, political parties and other groups had spent a total of $71 million as of Thursday on TV ads, mobile ads and voter outreach.
The Congressional Leadership Fund, a PAC tied to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, plans to spend more money in California than in any other state, at $40 million. The Democratic counterpart, House Majority PAC, also spent more than $40 million on advertising in the state.
“California remains a critical battleground for maintaining the House majority, which is why we are making such a large and comprehensive investment in the state,” Congressional Leadership Fund Chairman Dan Conston said in a statement. ” he said. “House Democrats are well positioned and have momentum. We will turn the House blue…” House Majority PAC spokeswoman Alisha Henn said in a statement.
America PAC, the super PAC founded by tech mogul and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has spent more than 300 Republican advertisements in California’s three House races than in any other state. Spent a million dollars. Cryptocurrency super PACs are also investing millions of dollars in Republican incumbents in three California battleground districts, Politico reports.
So, among the candidates themselves, who will win the money war in California? In the six most competitive districts, Democrats outscored Republicans by almost 300% from July to September. To one Democratic strategist, this signals the waning influence of former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and the rise of leadership in the House Democratic caucus.
Beyond the congressional races, California is also a cash cow for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. The campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden have raised about $30 million from California as of July. And former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, are currying the goodwill (and wallets) of influential Silicon Valley tech executives and crypto investors.
For more on the money flowing into California state elections, check out Stella’s story.
VotingMatters: CalMatters has a new local search tool to find out what to vote for in the November election. We also hold many public events. The next one is today at California State University Monterey Bay. Co-hosted today in Los Angeles with Boyles Heights Beat. And on Sunday, I went to the Foster City Library. Sign up here. It is also partnering with Zocalo Public Square on an event for young voters in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Sign up here.
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Other stories you should know
Newsom endorses Harris
Governor Gavin Newsom on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo courtesy of Gripas Yuri, ABACA, via Reuters
Let’s take a look at some more campaign news.
Newsom back on the trail: Gov. Gavin Newsom is campaigning for Harris again. He attended an event in Charlotte on Thursday, the first day of early voting in North Carolina, a key battleground state.
Mr. Newsom not only praised his fellow Californians, but also warned of misinformation and disinformation from Mr. Trump, including in an interview on Fox News Wednesday night.
Newsom: “They’re selling fear. They’re weaponizing complaints. …Facts don’t matter.”
The governor is scheduled to tour Michigan, another battleground state, before returning to California on Saturday. Newsom’s role in the Harris campaign is somewhat unclear. He supported President Joe Biden until he left office in late July and endorsed Harris. And Mr. Newsom was not given much of a prominent role at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Fact-checking Proposition 33 ads: Both sides poured tens of millions of dollars into swaying voters on Proposition 33, a statewide ballot measure to give local governments the freedom to limit rent increases. But how accurate are campaign ads?
In some areas, advocates say the number of homeless people in California has increased by nearly 40% since 2019, CalMatters’ Felicia Mello reports. However, the latest statistics show that the number of homeless people has increased by 23%. In another ad, opponents say Prop. 33 would repeal more than 100 state housing laws and lower rents to the detriment of landlords. But that’s not entirely true either. The measure would weaken some laws, but a California court has already ruled that rent control policies that do not provide landlords with a “reasonable return on investment” are unconstitutional. .
For more information about debunking Proposition 33 ads, check out Felicia’s story.
Voter Protection: California Democrats and Republicans have set up separate resources for voters to ensure party members have the information they need on Election Day. On Thursday, a hotline went live for Democratic voters to call if they have questions or have problems voting. The Republican Party also has an online portal to access information and report election integrity issues.
What is the impact of the traditional entry ban?
Daniel Alfaro, a high school senior, is working towards getting into the University of California, Berkeley. Her parents are immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador. October 8, 2024 at Oakland Technical High School. Photo: Manuel Orbegozo for CalMatters
Next year, private nonprofit colleges in California will be barred from admitting students based in part on whether their families have donated to the school or previously attended the school. But as CalMatters’ Carolyn Jones explains, the measure is largely symbolic.
Just six of California’s 90 private nonprofit colleges enrolled about 2,100 students with heritage or donor ties last fall. Instead of universities paying steep fines for violating the law (a provision of the original bill that ultimately died), state attorneys general can only sue universities to bring them into compliance.
Many private universities also said traditional admissions helps them raise money, but admissions procedures will change even under the new law because students admitted through alumni or donor connections already meet other admissions criteria. Some private universities said that they did not.
Still, supporters say the measure is important.
“Students who already have every advantage should not be stealing spots from students who have worked hard to get there,” said Rep. Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat and co-author of the bill. Ta.
Read more about Legacy Admissions in Carolyn’s story.
And finally: Ballot Prop Video
People look through a brochure outlining the state’s proposals during a VotingMatters event co-sponsored by CalMatters and the San Fernando Valley Sun at Bodevi Wine & Espresso Bar in San Fernando on September 30, 2024. Photo: Carlin Stiehl for CalMatters
This week, Robert Meeks, director of video strategy at CalMatters, shares his version of our “proposal.” Share your “in a Minute” video with our partner PBS SoCal viewers. See what’s in suggestion 4 and suggestion 5.
SoCalMatters airs weekdays at 5:58pm on PBS SoCal.
Other things worth your time:
California AG Rob Bonta takes no position on Proposition 36 // KCRA
Reporters say Trump’s ad accusing Harris of freeing Oakland journalist’s killer is not true // KQED
President Trump targets San Jose State University players, promises to suspend trans athletes // San Francisco Chronicle
Harris’ actions changed the lives of Californians forever // Los Angeles Times
After Harris, SF will see more South Asians in politics // The San Francisco Standard
California Republican Congressional candidate pleads guilty to welfare fraud // Politico
Officials rush to vaccinate California dairy workers against bird flu and seasonal flu // Politico
If AI is Hollywood’s next big thing, what’s taking so long? // Los Angeles Times
OC assistant superintendent’s wife signs $275,000 contract, but county claims work isn’t completed // LAist
Oakland Mayor Tao denounces FBI raid, shoots critics // San Francisco Chronicle
Los Angeles Catholic Diocese pays record $880 million settlement in clergy abuse case // Los Angeles Times
San Francisco Schools Superintendent Matt Wayne to resign // San Francisco Chronicle
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Lynn La is a CalMatters newsletter writer who focuses on major California politics, policy and Capitol stories during the week. She produces and curates WhatMatters, CalMatters’ flagship daily newsletter.
