Author: Joe Mathews

The world over, people long to finish first. But in California, it’s better to be second best. This is the larger truth at the center

Propositions 69 and 70 on the June ballot are both bad policy of the kind California has long pursued, to its great detriment. Specifically, both

The race for governor has come down to the question of who might finish second, since Gavin Newsom has a persistent lead in polls. But

BY FRANZ KAFKA (AS TOLD TO JOE MATHEWS) I keep hearing you Californians calling your state’s housing crisis Kafkaesque. You are far too kind: I

You’ve gotta hand it to California’s media. They may have troubles with their business models. But they never stop working to suppress the vote. My

No Californian is more inspiring than Austin Beutner. The Los Angeles investment banker has gone straight to the top of four major civic institutions in

Ace Smith is California’s top political consultant, representing many of the state’s top Democrats. But watching one of his clients debate opponents is often torture.

There’s no value in being a supporter of President Trump. At least in California, where Trump’s moves are targeting the places where he lives. His