| | | | |  | | By Lara Korte, Jeremy B. White, Matthew Brown and Ramon Castanos | THE BUZZ: And you thought there was such a thing as an “off year.” Both Republicans and Democrats are calling their shots early in California, announcing target congressional districts ahead of the 2024 cycle, which will see the GOP fighting to maintain its razor-thin lead in the House and keep Bakersfield’s own Kevin McCarthy in the speaker’s seat. On the macro level: Republicans’ five-seat margin in the House could be undone if Democrats in California manage to flip the five seats they lost to the GOP over the last two cycles. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the primary fundraising arm of House Dems, revealed Monday eight California seats where they plan to “play aggressively” in 2024. On the micro level: This cycle could come down to a few hundred votes. Democrats are looking for a do-over in a handful of districts they narrowly lost last time — Rep. John Duarte (CA-13) beat Adam Gray by less than 1,000 votes, and in CA-22, Rudy Salas came within three points of Rep. David Valadao. Those two districts, by the way, swung for President Joe Biden in 2020 by double-digits. Dems are also hoping to oust Reps. Ken Calvert (CA-41), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), Mike Garcia (CA-27), Michelle Steel (CA-45), and Young Kim (CA-40). One race is likely to generate far and away the most buzz (and money). With Rep. Katie Porter leaving her seat in CA-47 to run for U.S. Senate, both parties are gearing up for a fight over the open purple district that includes Orange County, Irvine and Huntington Beach. The National Republican Congressional Committee put it on their list of 2024 California targets last month, along with Democratic Reps. Josh Harder (CA-09) and Mike Levin (CA-49) Democratic voters in Porter’s district just barely outnumber Republicans — and a sizable chunk of the electorate, about 24 percent, have no party preference. In November, Porter beat Republican Scott Baugh by only 3.2 points, and that’s from someone who raised a nation-leading $25.4 million for her House campaign. Baugh has registered to run again as a Republican. And Democrats Dave Min, a current state senator, and former Rep. Harley Rouda are also vying for the seat. Min, who has Porter’s coveted endorsement, said on Monday he raised $520,000 in the first quarter. Rouda raised $1.25 million, per a statement. BUENOS DÍAS, good Tuesday morning. We’re starting to see the silver linings of what felt like a wetter-than-ever start to 2023. Monday, state officials reported a nearly 70-year record depth for the Sierra snowpack — 237 percent of the normal level to date. That’s great news for a water-starved West, but could lead to torrential flooding as temps heat up and the snow melts. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up at jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? In Alabama, as part of his Campaign for Democracy tour. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “A company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do.” Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger on Monday pushing back against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has punished the company for opposing the state’s so-called Don’t Say Gay legislation. TWEET OF THE DAY:
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MattRexroad | | | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 4/5 FOR THE 2023 RECAST POWER LIST: America’s demographics and power dynamics are changing — and POLITICO is recasting how it covers the intersection of race, identity, politics and policy. Join us for a conversation on the themes of the 2023 Recast Power List that will examine America’s decision-making tables, who gets to sit at them, and the challenges that still need to be addressed. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | Top Talkers | | — “How Kevin McCarthy's Bakersfield is reacting to Trump indictment,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Arit John: “For Republicans here — many of whom have long supported McCarthy and think the 15 rounds of voting he endured for the speakership made him stronger — last week’s indictment is as Trump has described it: a politically motivated witch hunt meant to keep him out of office.”
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | OC ENTRANT — One of those competitive House districts is welcoming a new challenger: Democrat Cheyenne Hunt is taking on Rep. Michelle Steel in CA-45. Hunt, a Gen-Z alum of Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Public Citizen with a substantial TikTok following, will be vying with Democratic Garden Grove Councilmember Kim Nguyen and her pileup of local endorsements. — “Katie Porter will tell you what she thinks,” by The New Republic’s Grace Segers: “Porter’s prominence is unusual for a representative who just began her third term, but her sharp, precisely worded questions, authoritative mien, and savvy prop usage in hearings—not typically thrilling arenas for political jousting—have continued to propel her notoriety.” — “Scott Wiener's delicate balancing act,” by Jewish Insider’s Matthew Kassel: “If Wiener was speaking conditionally, it was in large part because he had recently launched an exploratory committee to begin fundraising for a potential House bid, the creation of which has fueled speculation over his plans for higher office as Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), a fellow Democrat in San Francisco, prepares to announce whether she will run for another term.” — “Outside money, donations shape Valley race for L.A. City Council seat,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Dakota Smith: “Three of the seven candidates have raised significant amounts of money or are benefiting from outside spending by unions or corporations in Tuesday’s special election. The other four candidates face an uphill battle. They have far less funding, limiting their ability to buy glossy mailers or hire consultants to spread their message to voters in City Council District 6.” — “From 'Boy Meets World' to the ballot box,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Seema Mehta: “The baby-faced 42-year-old, a Democrat, is among a dozen candidates officially vying for the seat held by Rep. Adam B. Schiff, who hopes to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Rivals include a board member of the nation’s second-largest school district, state legislators, a West Hollywood council member and a former Los Angeles city attorney — people who have won elections and governed.”
| | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | — “California is phasing out its youth prisons. Is a 'shadow' justice system emerging?” by The Sacramento Bee’s Maggie Angst: “My concern is that we’re seeing the creation of the shadow jury and justice system that operates outside of the public,” said Abraham Medina, director of the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice. “Without community engagement, they’re just going to continue to center their special interests instead of the best interests of the children that they’re supposed to care for.” — “California may change its mental health funding. Why that might cut some services,” by CalMatters’ Kristen Hwang: “For the second time in as many years, Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing for major reform of California’s mental health system, this time by overhauling the way counties spend mental health dollars and placing a bond measure before voters to build more psychiatric beds.” — “L.A. County Civilian Oversight Commission to study Sheriff Department's use of Tasers,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Keri Blakinger: “The Sheriff’s Department’s use of one type of less-lethal force, Tasers, is set to come under more scrutiny. In March, the Civilian Oversight Commission put out a call for public input on the issue.” — “Twenty police officers in California face possible decertification, which would end their careers,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Richard Winton: “The public list is the first since California became the latest state to implement a process for decertifying police officers for serious misconduct. The legislation was enacted in 2021, and author state Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) said it was needed to prevent police officers who are fired or resign during misconduct investigations from moving to another police agency.” — “For domestic violence victims who commit violent crimes, new bill provides hope,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Noah Goldberg: “Bustamante is among a group of women convicted of violent crimes who could benefit from the passage of a bill in the state Assembly that would allow victims of human trafficking or domestic violence who allegedly committed violent crimes to present evidence of their abuse as an affirmative defense at criminal trials.”
| | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL | | | | SILICON VALLEYLAND | | — “Biden approves federal aid for California counties damaged by winter storms,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Joel Umanzor: “The federal aid was approved to supplement recovery efforts in Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties due to winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides beginning on Feb. 21, 2023 and continuing, the press release said.” — “In Silicon Valley, nearly a dozen renters compete for every available apartment,” by The Mercury News’ Ethan Varian: “A severe lack of housing has long pushed Silicon Valley residents into fierce competition for apartments. But now, high mortgage rates topping 6 percent are making it even harder to afford local home prices that regularly top $1.5 million, meaning more people are on the hunt for rentals, said Doug Ressler, a housing market expert with RentCafe.” — “Jury awards Black Tesla worker $3M in bias case after earlier $136M verdict rejected,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Bob Egelko: “A federal court jury awarded $3.175 million in damages Monday to a Black factory worker at Tesla’s Fremont plant who said he was repeatedly called racist names and subjected to abuse during 9½ months of employment at the electric-car company.”
| | MIXTAPE | | WIN SOME — “California’s wet winter could lead to first superbloom in years,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Alyssa Lukpat and Carl Churchill. LOSE SOME — “Is California's next health concern blood-sucking mosquitoes? All this water spells trouble,” by The Sacramento Bee’s Brianna Taylor. — “S.F. has an official animal. Long may the wild parrots fly!” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Peter Hartlaub. — “Santa Clara County records first official death from xylazine,” by The Mercury News’ Austin Turner. — “SoCal native one of 4 astronauts selected for NASA's next space mission,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Grace Toohey. BIRTHDAYS: Teddy Himler … Bruce Wolpe CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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