The DiFi dilemma

Jeremy B. White and Lara Korte’s must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State

Apr 14, 2023 View in browser   By Lara Korte, Jeremy B. White, Ramon Castanos and Matthew Brown THE BUZZ: Sen. Dianne Feinstein might be the one facing calls to resign, but it’s Gov. Gavin Newsom in the hot seat. The awkward prospect of the state’s senior senator stepping down has renewed focus on a promise the governor made two years ago to appoint a Black woman in the event of another Senate vacancy. You might recall that he had the opportunity to do just that after Kamala Harris ascended to VEEPhood in 2020, but instead he chose Alex Padilla, a longtime friend who also made history as the first Latino to ever represent California in the upper chamber. Historic as Padilla’s appointment was, it also left the U.S. Senate without a Black woman, much to the ire of some Californians and national onlookers. It was a few months later, in an interview with MSNBC, that Newsom said he’d choose a Black woman if Feinstein does step down. “We have multiple names in mind — and the answer is yes,” he told MSNBC host Joy Reid. That opportunity could come any day as Feinstein continues to be absent from the Senate due to a shingles diagnosis. The senator said she intends to return when she recovers, but that hasn’t appeased some Democrats who say she needs to resign right now. Advocates are making it clear they remember Newsom’s unequivocal statement in March 2021 — and are floating names that include Rep. Barbara Lee, who is already running for the seat. There are certainly other formidable Black women in California politics — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Los Angeles Supervisor Holly Mitchell and San Francisco Mayor London Breed have all been floated as potential contenders. But Lee seems to be garnering the most support. “There's several amazing women who could potentially be in that role,” Aimee Allison, founder of the San Francisco-based group She The People, told POLITICO. “But right now, there's a coalescing around support for the congresswoman in that role.” Read Lara Korte and Rachel Bluth’s full story on who would consider taking the job — and who said “absolutely not.”  BUENOS DÍAS, good Friday morning. Congratulations to all four of California’s NBA teams for making it into the playoffs this weekend. We at Playbook try to keep it impartial — but do have a fondness for giant purple lasers. 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? Nothing official announced. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I know acts of violence like this shake our communities and I thank the San Francisco Police Department for their tireless efforts to solve this case. With this arrest, we will now work to bring justice and closure for Mr. Lee’s family, friends and our city that has been gripped by this case.” San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins following charges against Nima Momeni in connection to the murder of Robert Lee.  TWEET OF THE DAY: Twitter WE’RE HIRING — POLITICO is embarking on an exciting expansion in the Golden State and looking for another journalist to join our growing team as a California Playbook author. More in the job description here.   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     TOP TALKERS — Where Democrats go from here on Feinstein's perilous absence, by POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus and Daniella Diaz: Replacing the 89-year-old Feinstein on the Judiciary panel, as she requested late Wednesday night while she remains sidelined from the Capitol recovering from shingles, would require passing a resolution on the Senate floor. And Republicans have the power to block such a measure from passing unanimously, forcing a vote that would require 60 senators to get it across the finish line. — Authorities lock down California Capitol after ‘credible threat,” by POLITICO’s Blake Jones: Legislators and their staff huddled inside offices for several hours Thursday after police warned of a “credible threat” against the California Capitol from a man police said had fired on a nearby hospital the night before. — “Arrest made in Bob Lee killing; suspect is tech entrepreneur Nima Momeni,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Rachel Swan, Megan Cassidy and Michael Cabanatuan: “District Attorney Brooke Jenkins had charged 38-year-old Emeryville resident Nima Momeni with murder for allegedly stabbing Lee twice in the chest at 2:30 a.m. on April 4, leaving a trail of blood on the sidewalk in San Francisco’s wealthy Rincon Hill neighborhood. He was booked into San Francisco County Jail at 9:19 a.m. and will appear for his first court hearing on Friday.” CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR — "CSU women say they faced sexual abuse and harassment on a training ship," by the Los C: “Interviews and internal campus records reviewed by The Times showed the allegations included two rapes reported in 2019, a sexual assault in 2022 and accusations that a captain sexually harassed women and made disparaging remarks about the LGBTQ community and women during a 2021 training cruise.” — “San Joaquin Valley farmers dig in for the next battle: an epic Sierra snowmelt,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Brennon Dixson: “For the first time in decades, Tulare Lake is reemerging from the valley floor, as rivers swollen with runoff from heavy rains and snow spill down from the Sierra Nevada into the valley, overwhelming canals and levees. The lake’s return has engulfed thousands of acres of cropland, orchards, highways and homes, upending the region’s economy, possibly for years.” UP IN SMOKE — “Tobacco sales phaseout withers in California without support from anti-tobacco advocates,” by CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff: “The decision by major anti-tobacco organizations to sit out another legislative fight reflects a broader disagreement among advocates about the best way to reach what they call the “endgame” of a tobacco-free future — and whether that should be their primary goal. Concerns over public backlash, political feasibility and potential cuts to programs funded by tobacco taxes are all factors.” BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL — “Biden seeks expanded health insurance access for DACA participants,” by Reuters’ Ted Hesson, Trevor Hunnicutt and Susan Heavey: “The Biden administration is seeking to allow immigrants illegally brought to the United States as children greater access to health insurance through federal programs, the White House said on Thursday. The proposal would allow participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, to access health insurance under Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges, it said.”   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.     SILICON VALLEYLAND — “Tesla is refusing to comply with subpoena in racism probe, California tells court,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Bob Egelko: “The court filing said the Civil Rights Department is investigating a complaint from a group of Tesla employees alleging discrimination based on sex and disability as well as race.” MIXTAPE — “L.A. promised mental health crisis response without cops. Why isn't it happening?” by the Los Angeles Times’ Lila Seidman. — “Cosmic justice: A Black Californian is headed to the moon, lifting up a whole race with him,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Tyrone Beason. — “SoCal can expect more birds, rabbits, rats and snakes in wildlife surge after record rain,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Grace Toohey. — “NPR and PBS stop using Twitter after receiving 'government funded media' label | CNN Business,” CNN Business' Clare Duffy 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 Jeremy B. White @JeremyBWhite Lara Korte @lara_korte POLITICO California @politicoca   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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