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Newsom moves to commute all 548 California death sentences to life without parole
Governor Gavin Newsom announced November 5 that he will commute every California death sentence to life in prison without parole. About 382 cases need California Supreme Court approval, and the death penalty itself remains in state law.
Raman defeats Bass in Los Angeles mayor race as Bass concedes
Councilmember Nithya Raman held 52.1 percent to Mayor Karen Bass at 47.9 percent in the Thursday county tally, a lead of 34,654 votes. Bass conceded Thursday, congratulated Raman and promised a smooth transition.
Becerra, in first Capitol appearance as governor elect, says everything is on the table on costs
Governor elect Xavier Becerra appeared with Robert Rivas and Monique Limón on November 5 and said cost of living is his top focus. He declined to commit to specific tax, health care or energy steps before seeing the budget.
New York Post · 11/5/26
Villegas defeats Valadao in Central Valley House race
Democrat Randy Villegas defeated Republican Representative David Valadao in California's 22nd District, a seat redrawn under Proposition 50. Villegas, a community college instructor backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, campaigned on costs, health care cuts and immigration raids.
Al Jazeera · Associated Press · 11/5/26
Billionaire tax continues to trail while personal property tax ban leads
In the Secretary of State count as of November 5 evening, Proposition 40, the one time 5 percent billionaire tax, had 45.4 percent yes votes. Proposition 42, which would bar new taxes on personal property, led with 53.4 percent.
California Today · 11/5/26
Stocks plunge on November 5 as AI and chip shares lead a broad selloff
The Nasdaq fell 5.5 percent, the S&P 500 fell 4.4 percent and the Dow fell 3.4 percent on Thursday. Reuters reported chip stocks fell 12 percent as investors reassessed the AI data center buildout after Democratic midterm wins.
Reuters · 11/5/26
Meta, Google and TikTok sue California over teen feed law taking effect January 1
The three companies filed separate federal lawsuits against Attorney General Rob Bonta to block AB 1709, which bars personalized feeds and autoplay for users under 16. They argue the law violates the First Amendment and federal Section 230.
TechCrunch · 11/5/26
Three Sacramento area legislative races stay close as counting continues
Senator Roger Niello led Sean Frame about 52 percent to 48 percent on Thursday, while Amy Slavensky led Assemblymember Josh Hoover 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent. In Senate District 4, Alexandra Duarte led Jaron Brandon about 52 percent to 48 percent.
Abridged · 11/5/26
Legislature
Klein Lopez leads Norblum in race to succeed Irwin in Assembly District 42
Democrat Deborah Klein Lopez had 88,850 votes, or 56.2 percent, to Republican Ted Norblum at 43.8 percent as of November 5 in AD-42. The seat is open because Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin is termed out and ran for Congress.
Ventura County Star $ · 11/5/26
Davies and Duncan hold narrow leads in South Orange County legislative races
In the 74th Assembly District, Republican Laurie Davies led Democrat Sergio Farias 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent on Wednesday night. In the 36th Senate District, Democrat Chris Duncan led Republican Tony Strickland 50.3 percent to 49.7 percent.
Picket Fence Media · 11/5/26
Campaigns and Ballot Measures
Kim leads Allen for insurance commissioner and Barrera leads Shaw for superintendent
Jane Kim led state Senator Ben Allen 52.6 percent to 47.4 percent for insurance commissioner in the November 5 evening count, which was not yet called. Richard Barrera led Sonja Shaw 57.9 percent to 42.1 percent for superintendent of public instruction.
California Today · 11/5/26
Voter ID measure, Proposition 39, projected to fail
Proposition 39, which would require government issued identification for in person voting and ID numbers on mail ballot envelopes, was projected to fail. In the November 5 evening count, no votes led with 59.3 percent.
Palm Springs Desert Sun $ · California Today · 11/5/26
Recall replacement measure, Proposition 5, holds a narrow lead
Proposition 5 led 51.0 percent to 49.0 percent in the November 5 evening count and remained uncalled. The measure would require a separate election or appointment to fill a recalled office, instead of a replacement vote at the recall election.
California Today · 11/5/26
Rainy day fund expansion and permanent high income tax both projected to pass
Proposition 2, which would double the state rainy day fund cap from 10 percent to 20 percent, and Proposition 3, which would make high income tax rates permanent, were both projected to pass. Each held about 60 percent yes votes on November 5.
Palm Springs Desert Sun $ · 11/5/26
Calvert leads Kim in 40th District contest between two Republican incumbents
Representative Ken Calvert led Representative Young Kim 54.2 percent to 45.8 percent in the 40th District, where redistricting placed two Republican incumbents in one seat. The race remained uncalled in the November 5 evening count.
California Today · 11/5/26
Housing
Proposition 1 housing and veterans bond projected to pass with 60 percent
The Associated Press projected Proposition 1 to pass with 60.0 percent yes votes in the November 5 evening count. The measure authorizes 11.25 billion dollars in bonds for affordable housing, veterans mortgages, supportive housing and down payment help.
California Today · Palm Springs Desert Sun $ · 11/5/26
Attorney General opinion says a housing referendum can violate state housing law
Attorney General Rob Bonta opinion No. 25-1102, issued November 5 in response to Assemblymember Tom Lackey, says a referendum rejecting a measure that allows more housing can be a prohibited restriction under the Housing Crisis Act. Challenges must be decided by a court.
LAWS.com · 11/5/26
Proposition 45 CEQA fast track trails as count continues
Proposition 45 trailed with 45.2 percent yes votes in the November 5 evening count and remained uncalled. The measure would set deadlines for environmental reviews and lawsuits for housing, transportation, water and health projects under CEQA.
California Today · Planetizen · 11/5/26
Health
Immunology bond, Proposition 38, leads with 55.2 percent and stays uncalled
Proposition 38 led 55.2 percent to 44.8 percent in the November 5 evening count. The measure would authorize 8.4 billion dollars in bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research, with half directed to one University of California affiliated institute.
California Today · 11/5/26
Workplace
Study finds ICE arrests reduce work well beyond people arrested, CalMatters reports
A University of Colorado Boulder working paper found about six male unauthorized workers stopped working for each ICE arrest in studied areas. Communities with more arrests saw 4 to 5 percent employment drops in agriculture, construction and manufacturing among likely undocumented workers.
Energy and Climate
Coastal cities brace for El Nino flooding and higher king tides this winter
KQED reported coastal flooding from San Diego to the Bay Area in recent weeks, with Long Beach reinforcing beaches and Pacifica working to stabilize its pier. Scientists say king tides, storms and El Nino raised seas could combine this winter.
NPR Illinois · 11/5/26
Local Spotlight
Foley leads Dixon in Orange County supervisor race in South County count
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley led Assemblymember Diane Dixon 51.7 percent to 48.3 percent, 95,066 votes to 88,954, in the 5th District race as of Wednesday night. The district includes San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano.
Picket Fence Media · 11/5/26
Washington
House Democrats outline oversight probes as they prepare to take the majority
Long Beach Representative Robert Garcia, in line to chair the Oversight Committee, put Trump family businesses, immigration enforcement, corporate conduct and the Epstein files on his agenda. The White House rejected the planned probes as politically motivated.
American Quorum · 11/5/26
Justice Department civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon resigns
Harmeet Dhillon, who led the Civil Rights Division since April 2025, resigned November 5 and said she will return to private practice. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the departure, the first major Justice Department resignation since the midterm losses.
USA TODAY · 11/5/26
Trump calls midterm elections crooked and points to veto power
President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday that the elections were crooked and denounced the Los Angeles mayor result, after initially accepting the outcome. Democrats will hold at least 54 Senate seats, and Senator Chuck Schumer warned against a year of vetoes.
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