Powerful women are backing a man for California’s Senate seat

Last weekend in Long Beach, Democratic Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine met with voters at a small rally in the back patio of Lola’s Mexican Cuisine. It was one of many stops she’s making around California as she campaigns for the U.S. Senate seat that was recently held by the late Dianne Feinstein.

“If one of Katie’s male opponents wins in November, that will be the first time in more than 30 years that California does not have a woman representing us in the Senate,” Democratic Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) said as she introduced Porter.

Boos rang out from the crowd.

This was a scene my colleague Benjamin Oreskes witnessed on the campaign trail in the final weeks before the March 5 primary. It points to an unanticipated undercurrent of California’s Senate race.

Though California made history in 1993 as the first state to elect two women to the Senate, the state’s streak of female representation may come to an end after this year’s election — and, Oreskes reports, women appear to be a leading reason.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), one of the most powerful women in California and national politics, has endorsed Porter’s male opponent, Democratic Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank). So has former Sen. Barbara Boxer, who served alongside Feinstein for nearly a quarter century after they were elected in the first “Year of the Woman.” More than half the women in California’s congressional delegation also back Schiff. And recent opinion polls show Schiff leading the field among female likely voters.

Read more about the surprising dynamic in this article: California’s streak of female senators may be ending — and women appear to be a reason

Don’t miss these other updates on the California Senate race:

• In final primary debate, Senate candidates spar over Israel, immigration and campaign donations
• Columnist George Skelton: Smart but stinky strategies in California’s Senate race
• Columnist Mark Z. Barabak: Who needs passion or drama? Adam Schiff tries bland and steady in California U.S. Senate race

I’m Laurel Rosenhall, The Times’ Sacramento bureau chief, here with your guide to the week’s news in California politics.

Switcheroo

President Biden and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

(Matt Rourke; Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press)

Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Biden switched places this week — geographically speaking, anyway.

While Biden was in California raising money for his reelection campaign, Newsom traveled to Washington for meetings with the National Governors Assn. and the Democratic Governors Assn. He’s expected to meet with Biden on Friday and Saturday once the president returns to Washington.

In Los Angeles on Wednesday, Biden visited a library in Culver City, where he announced the cancellation of $1.2 billion in student loan debt for more than 150,000 borrowers, saying the relief will allow them to buy homes, start families and otherwise benefit the economy. On Tuesday he met with campaign donors at the sprawling Beverly Park estate owned by media mogul Haim Saban, arguing that the 2024 election offers a “crystal-clear” choice for voters.

“Time and again, Republicans show they are a party of chaos and disunity. They shout about problems but offer nothing,” Biden told the crowd, reports my colleague Seema Mehta. “They have no platform.”

Biden is in Silicon Valley today for a campaign fundraiser hosted by former state Controller Steve Westly.

Single-payer lacks a payer

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) speaks in Sacramento on June 30, 2023, while a woman stands nearby.

(Max Whittaker/For The Times)

As budget analysts came out this week with the latest estimate of California’s whopping budget shortfall —pegging it at $73 billion — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) cast doubt on a new proposal to create a state-run single-payer healthcare system.

“The concept of single-payer and expanding access and affordability are good ideas,” Rivas told reporters at the state Capitol on Tuesday. “I say this with great respect to stakeholders and advocates: We need to see how this is funded. It’s a good idea but it’s a tough, tough sell, especially in a budget climate that we are experiencing now.”

In the past, single-payer legislation has divided Democrats and ultimately withered because of concerns over cost, opposition from private insurers and the complex bureaucracy that undergirds the nation’s delivery of healthcare, writes reporter Anabel Sosa.

The new single-payer bill will face additional hurdles because of the state’s mounting budget deficit. When Newsom’s administration estimated the shortfall at $38 billion in January, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office figured it was closer to $58 billion. Now the legislative analyst has upped the estimate to $73 billion because recent tax collections have come in lower than expected.

Other news out of the state Capitol this week:

• California bill proposes new standards for court-ordered parenting classes after Times investigation
  California could impose new standards for court-ordered parenting classes under legislation meant to address the lack of regulations for services often mandated for people suspected of child abuse and neglect.
• Bill to make more rentals pet friendly would put an end to ‘no dogs allowed,’ lawmaker says
  The legislation attempting to open more apartments to renters with pets would allow landlords to ask about pet ownership only after a tenant’s application has been approved.

Keeping up with California politics

Voter guide to the 2024 California primary election
California’s primary election takes place March 5. These guides have loads of information about the races for U.S. House and Senate, Proposition 1, L.A.-area legislative seats, L.A. City Council, L.A. County Board of Supervisors, L.A. district attorney and the L.A. Unified school board.

Trump weighs in on contested seat for McCarthy’s former district, endorsing Vince Fong
In a show of just how contested the race for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s district has become, President Trump weighed in Tuesday, offering his endorsement for Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong.

Bass backs Padilla bill to provide billions of dollars in new homelessness funding
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and local leaders Wednesday to voice support for the reintroduction of a bill that would invest billions of federal dollars in housing and homelessness programs.

Ex-Sheriff Alex Villanueva suspended from social media site X
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who is running for a spot on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said his primary account on X, formerly Twitter, was shut down after someone allegedly reported him for harassing his opponent in the race.