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Voters decide control of Congress on Tuesday, with the House leaning Democratic and the Senate close
Democrats need a net gain of four seats in each chamber to overturn Republican majorities of 218 to 214 in the House and 53 to 47 in the Senate. Polls favor Democrats for the House, while six to eight Senate races remain close.
Hilton rallies in Pacific Palisades and Becerra joins Newsom as governor race closes
Republican Steve Hilton rallied Sunday in fire scarred Pacific Palisades, blaming Democratic leadership for the 2025 fire and slow rebuilding and pledging a recovery chief. Democrat Xavier Becerra spent the weekend campaigning with allies, including a Sunday rally with Gov. Gavin Newsom in Hollywood.
Fox News · New York Post · 11/1/26
Bass and Raman enter Election Day tied in Los Angeles mayor race
The final Berkeley IGS poll for the Los Angeles Times puts Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman at 40 percent each, with 19 percent undecided. Homelessness and public safety dominated the final weekend, and the winner will lead the city into the 2028 Olympics.
Newsom predicts a possible blue tsunami for Democrats on Election Day
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sunday that Democrats could be headed for a sweeping victory, using the phrase blue tsunami both privately and publicly. Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, who is on Tuesday's ballot, disputed that a wave would reach his district.
Political.org · 11/1/26
Early California returns on election night could mislead, with counting set to run for weeks
CalMatters warns that early results can produce a red mirage if Republicans lead on election night, because most Californians vote by mail and later counted mail ballots have tended to favor Democrats. Counties have 30 days to finish counting, with state certification on Dec. 11.
County Election Day rules could block news coverage of voting, advocates warn
CalMatters reports some of California's most populous counties have issued guidelines restricting how the press can document Election Day proceedings at polling places. Civil rights advocates say the limits appear to violate state statutes and the First Amendment.
Support slips for Proposition 40 billionaire tax, and rival measures could block it anyway
A Berkeley IGS poll released Oct. 29 found 50 percent of likely voters opposed to the one time 5 percent billionaire tax and 42 percent in favor. Propositions 41 and 42, backed by a billionaire funded group, could nullify it even if it passes.
CEOWORLD Magazine · Daily Bruin · 10/31/26
Federal judge bars Justice Department from threatening election workers through Nov. 16
U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson issued a restraining order Friday barring the Justice Department and Homeland Security from threatening election workers or demanding they purge voters or set aside ballots. The order, in a suit by unions and civil rights groups, runs to Nov. 16.
Workers Rights News · 10/31/26
Campaigns and Ballot Measures
Thompson faces fellow Democrat Eric Jones in redrawn 4th Congressional District
Rep. Mike Thompson, first elected in 1998, faces Eric Jones, founder of the American Dream Institute, in a Democrat versus Democrat general election. Thompson led the primary with 41 percent, and redistricting added more conservative parts of Colusa, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter and Yuba counties.
Matsui faces generational challenge from Mai Vang in Sacramento area 7th District
Rep. Doris Matsui, in the House since 2005, faces Sacramento Councilmember Mai Vang, who finished first in the primary with 31.2 percent to Matsui's 29.1 percent. Matsui stresses experience and federal funding delivered, while Vang campaigns on generational change and working class families.
At least 14 legislative candidates use red boxing to signal outside groups, CalMatters finds
A CalMatters review found at least 14 California legislative candidates posting talking points and footage that independent expenditure committees can lift into ads, with three ads this cycle mirroring candidate website language. The Fair Political Practices Commission has not said whether cases are under review.
CalMatters · 10/31/26
Courts
Ninth Circuit keeps California captive audience meeting law blocked on First Amendment grounds
A Ninth Circuit panel upheld a preliminary injunction against SB 399, which bars disciplining workers who skip employer meetings on political or religious topics. Judge Richard Tallman wrote the law is content based and speaker based, and the court rejected the state's captive audience justification.
Water
Water board approves Bay-Delta plan as agencies balk and Trump administration threatens to walk away
The State Water Resources Control Board approved a Bay-Delta update built on voluntary agreements, giving agencies a choice between forgoing some water and funding habitat work or facing stricter flow rules. Some backers call the plan unrecognizable, and federal officials threaten to withdraw $740 million.
CalMatters · 10/30/26
Wildfire and Insurance
Insurance commissioner candidates clash over cost of a state run wildfire insurer
Jane Kim and Sen. Ben Allen, the two Democrats running for insurance commissioner, dispute what Kim's proposed public wildfire coverage option would cost homeowners. Allen's campaign cites estimates of $150 to $230 per policyholder for reinsurance, while Kim says he is misreading her policy brief.
CalMatters · 10/31/26
Insurance money reaches commissioner race through outside committees despite candidate pledges
Both Kim and Allen pledged not to take insurance industry donations, but political action committees have poured more than $6 million into the race. Committees supporting Allen have spent about $3.2 million, with some funding from insurance related donors, and about $1.5 million opposing Kim.
CalMatters · 10/26/26
Energy and Climate
Levin proposes volunteer campuses in other states to take San Onofre nuclear waste
Rep. Mike Levin is pushing Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses in states willing to recycle and store fuel, with San Onofre a priority for removal. The waste has sat in storage on the beach since the plant closed in 2013, near earthquake faults and Camp Pendleton.
Education
New law requires colleges to show students how to request more financial aid
Assembly Bill 2251, signed in September, requires colleges and universities by fall 2027 to clearly display how students can request a cost of attendance adjustment and to publish how they calculate attendance costs. Advocates say most campuses do not break down or source their estimates.
Proposition 38 would borrow $8.4 billion for immunology research, half set for one institute
Proposition 38 would authorize $8.4 billion for immunology and immunotherapy research, with debt costs of $500 million to $600 million a year for 20 years. CalMatters reports one UC affiliated nonprofit, funded by Gary Michelson, appears to meet criteria for half the money.
Culture war disputes over Israel, race and books roil Beverly Hills school board race
Two seats on the Beverly Hills board are on Tuesday's ballot and could flip its majority, after disputes over displaying Israeli flags, a flag policy that ended Pride flags, and a Maya Angelou memoir. Board President Judy Manouchehri faces challengers Jackie Kruger and Kim Lifschitz.
Wall Street Journal $ · 11/2/26
Workplace
State workers remain without a contract after first strike in union history, with mediation resumed
SEIU Local 1000, representing about 100,000 state workers, struck for one day on Oct. 21, its first walkout in 44 years, over pay, health costs and the four day in office order. The contract expired in June, and the sides resumed mediation on Oct. 30.
KION News · SF Inquirer · 10/21/26
Study finds immigration raids chill job market for immigrant and U.S. born workers alike
A University of Colorado Boulder study found increased immigration arrests reduced employment 4 to 5 percent in agriculture, construction and manufacturing among likely undocumented immigrants who remain in the country. Researchers estimated six male unauthorized workers stopped working for every ICE arrest in certain areas.
Business
Investors brace for election pivot, with clean energy and housing set to gain and AI to face scrutiny
Reuters reports analysts expect a strong Democratic showing to benefit clean energy, housing and health care stocks, while AI and data center companies could face greater scrutiny from lawmakers. A Polymarket based assessment put the odds of a Democratic sweep at 72 percent.
Washington
White House prepares to govern by executive action if Democrats take Congress
Reuters reports the Trump White House has worked since April on executive actions on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending that could proceed without Congress. Officials are also preparing for Democratic investigations, including how appointees should handle subpoenas and document requests.
Reuters · 11/1/26
Sen. Chris Murphy hospitalized after a stroke, his office says
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut was hospitalized after suffering a stroke, Reuters reported Sunday, citing Politico and Murphy's chief of staff. The report came two days before midterm elections that will decide control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53 to 47 majority.
Reuters · 11/1/26