California Politics Now

California Election Connection hosted by Black Headline News and ONME News highlighted the issues among younger voters ages 18 to 40
 
The first California Election Connection forum in a series that began Wednesday, September 23 hosted by Julia Dudley Najieb and Brigitte Jones focused on the issues and concerns of younger voters, ages 18 to 40 and local, California election-based headlines in Southern and Central California. The three-hour weekly forum hosted by Black Headline News, ONME News, is designed to focus on practical, voter-centered questions about the economy, housing, education, public safety, health care, climate, jobs, technology, voting access and the future of democracy.

News hosts and guests review key primary election trends and predict the 2026 California midterm election trends happening November 3Listen to California Politics Now Post Post-Election Discussion with news hosts Julia Dudley Najieb and Brigitte Jones with special guests, Dr. Angelo Williams who is a professor of Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, Sociology, and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Kendra Noel Lewis, chair of the California Democratic Party Black Caucus.

  Join Julia Ann Dudley Najieb and Brigitte Jones as they host the California Politics Now Election Forum featuring state of California senate and assembly candidates. News hosts discuss the key races in the legislature on the ballot for the 2026 primary election June 2, 2026.The California State Legislature consist of the California State Assembly (lower house with 80 members) and the California State Senate (upper house with 40 members). Both houses of the Legislature convene at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.

Join Julia Ann Dudley Najieb and Brigitte Jones as they host the California Politics Now Election Forum featuring the state of California U.S. House of Representative candidates. News hosts first discuss the key races on the ballot for the 2026 primary election June 2, 2026:  Districts 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 14, 22, and 48. California US House of Representatives: As of the 118th Congress (2023-2025) and based on the 2020 Census, California has 52 representatives in the United States House of Representatives. This is the highest number of representatives of any state in the U.S.. California previously had 53 representatives but lost one seat following the 2020 Census due to population changes.

ONME News talks with a state of California lieutenant gubernatorial candidate about issues in public higher education and moreListen on demand with Julia Ann Dudley Najieb and Brigitte Jones as they host and moderate the California Politics Now Election Forum featuring state of California lieutenant gubernatorial candidates.Key topics news hosts will address: California's public higher education systems:University of California (UC) Board of RegentsCalifornia State University (CSU)Board of TrusteesCalifornia Community Colleges Board of Governors The lieutenant governor of California seat descriptionThe California Lieutenant Governor is the state's second-highest executive officer, responsible for stepping in as Acting Governor when the Governor is out of state or incapacitated. Elected to a four-year term, they serve as President of the Senate, sit on major higher education boards, and manage state lands and economic development. The office has a budget of nearly $3 million.Key responsibilities include:Acting as Governor: Automatically assumes the powers and duties of the Governor when the Governor leaves California, or if the office is permanently vacated.President of the State Senate: Presides over the State Senate and casts a tie-breaking vote when the chamber is deadlocked.Higher Education Oversight: Serves as a voting member on the governing boards for all three of California's public higher education systems:University of California (UC) Board of RegentsCalifornia State University (CSU) Board of TrusteesCalifornia Community Colleges Board of GovernorsLand & Environmental Management: Chairs and rotates with the State Controller on the State Lands Commission, which oversees millions of acres of state-owned land, navigable waterways, and offshore oil resources. They also serve on the Ocean Protection Council and the Coastal Commission.Economic Development: Chairs the Commission for Economic Development, which advises state leaders on economic planning, business retention, and trade.Ad-Hoc Duties: The Governor may delegate additional tasks, councils, and policy initiatives to the Lieutenant Governor

In this California Politics Now Election Forum discussion, Julia Ann Dudley Najieb, Brigitte Jones and Cheryl Smith host and moderate the California Politics Now Election Forum featuring state of California gubernatorial candidates discussing these key topics:Key topics news hosts will address:Discussion regarding California’s annual billions-of-dollars, structural budget deficit ($18+)Affordability: housing and gas at an all-time high for all CaliforniansHomelessness crisis that continuesUtility rates/AI infusion and electricity overload

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the ONME News team hosted the California Politics Now Election Forum Discussion featuring district 3 and 4 candidates:Counties in Each Board of Equalization DistrictDistrict 3Los AngelesDistrict 4Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the ONME News team hosted the California Politics Now Election Forum Discussion featuring district 1and 2 candidates:Board of Equalization District 1Donald E. Williamson (D)Nader F Shahatit (R)Nelson Esparza (D)Shannon Grove (R)Dusty Beach (R)Board of Equalization District 2(Incumbent) Sally J. Lieber (D)Bill Shireman (R)John Pimentel (D)Mark McComas (R)John Zaruka (R)J. Brett Marymee (R)State of California Controller Candidates(Incumbent) Malia M. Cohen (D)Herb W Morgan (R)Meghann Adams (Peace and Freedom)

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the ONME News team hosted the California Politics Now Election Forum Discussion featuring attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer candidates:California Secretary of State(Incumbent) Shirley N. Weber (D)Donald P. (Don) Wagner (R)Gary N. Blenner (Green)Michael Feinstein (Green)State of California Attorney General(Incumbent) Rob Bonta (D)Michael E. Gates (R)Marjorie Mikels (Green)State of California Treasurer CandidatesAnna M. Caballero (D)Eleni Kounalakis (D)Tony Vazquez (D)Jennifer Hawks (R)David Serpa (R)Glenn Turner Green

The ONME News team hosted the California Politics Now Election Forum Discussion featuring superintendent of public instruction candidates, Wendy Castaneda Leal (Nonpartisan,) Gus Mattammal (Nonpartisan,) and Nichelle Henderson (Nonpartisan.) The news hosts also reviewed with commentary the statements of the following candidates:Richard Barrera (Nonpartisan)Frank Lara (Nonpartisan)Ainye Long (Nonpartisan)Al Muratsuchi (Nonpartisan)Josh Newman (Nonpartisan)Anthony Rendon (Nonpartisan)Sonja Shaw (Nonpartisan)