Laura J. Nelson is a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, covering politics and campaign finance. Since joining The Times in 2012, she has also covered transportation and worked as an investigative and enterprise reporter. She was part of the team that won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the San Bernardino terrorist attack, and the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a dive-boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Nelson grew up in Kansas and graduated from USC.
Latest From This Author
Nearly half of California voters would be very or somewhat likely to support Kamala Harris if she were to run for governor in 2026, according to a UC Berkeley poll.
Nov. 13, 2024
Cloobeck, 63, struck a pro-business tone in the crowded governor’s race, saying in an advertisement that California is “closed for business, and we’ve had enough.”
Nov. 6, 2024
Democrats Laura Friedman, Luz Rivas and Gil Cisneros were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in deep-blue districts in Los Angeles County.
Nov. 6, 2024
Los votantes de California estaban decidiendo entre el demócrata Adam Schiff y el republicano Steve Garvey en la carrera para reemplazar a la fallecida Dianne Feinstein en el Senado de Estados Unidos.
Nov. 5, 2024
California voters were deciding between Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey in the race to replace the late Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate.
Nov. 5, 2024
Republicans are clinging to a slim majority in the House and are defending 15 seats seen as toss-ups. No state has more swing seats than California.
Nov. 5, 2024
With Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank comfortably in the lead, the California Senate race hasn’t been much of one at all.
Nov. 4, 2024
The crypto industry has spent more than any other business interest in a handful of highly competitive House races in California.
Oct. 31, 2024
Some Californians moved to the states to canvass for Democrats, while others join weekend bus trips to knock on doors.
Oct. 28, 2024
California safety regulators have cited the Central Valley nursery owned by Republican Rep. John Duarte and his family for several safety violations during the years that the incumbent congressman was in charge of the business, records show.
Oct. 25, 2024