THE BUZZ: THE CALL CAME FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE — A powerful union is deploying an unconventional tactic to punish a Democratic state lawmaker for opposing its pet legislation: boost a Republican opponent by attacking the most vulnerable Senate Democrat in California. AFSCME 3299 this week poured nearly $700,000 into a TV ad blitz hammering Democratic state Sen. Josh Newman as he fights for reelection in a swing Orange County seat that could determine if the party maintains its super-duper majority in the upper chamber. It’s the kind of cutthroat strategy labor unions could only dare to use in a state like California because Democrats have such large majorities in both chambers of the statehouse. The union, which represents 30,000 University of California employees, has long had beef with Newman after he declined to support one of its priority bills — a constitutional amendment that would bolster the labor rights of UC workers. The proposal stalled in 2023 and again this year. AFSCME similarly sought to prop up Democratic challengers to Newman in the March primary, when it spent more than $500,000 to pummel him with negative ads. But its latest effort to sink a vulnerable Democrat in the general election takes the feud to an unusual level. The tactic is an audacious gambit that appears designed to send a sharp warning to Sacramento Democrats who have blocked the union’s efforts to force the UC system to adopt more union-friendly policies. AFSCME’s UC members — who include hospital technicians, student service workers and research lab staff across more than 10 college campuses — appear to be on the verge of striking as they fight with the university system over contract negotiations. The union’s ad campaign against Newman is scorched earth, featuring TV spots that sound straight out of a GOP playbook, tying the Democrat to concerns about crime and gas prices. Newman told Playbook he was shocked by the tactic given that he’s endorsed by the California Labor Federation, a statewide umbrella group. He argued it is born out of “spite” and sends a “problematic message” to lawmakers that the union will turn to counterproductive tactics if Democrats disagree with its proposals. “Their members should be angry,” Newman vented. Newman’s opponent in the November election is Republican Steven Choi, a former state Assemblymember and staunch conservative. Choi is far from a labor ally and received a failing score on the Labor Federation’s annual report card when he was in office. The union didn’t respond to requests for comment. Its lobbyist Richie Ross, who has clashed with Newman in the past, said he’s been removed from discussions about AFSCME’s controversial play. “You’d have to ask them,” he said. Labor Federation head Lorena Gonzalez said the organization stands by its endorsement of Newman. “We’re not involved with this IE at all,” she said, referring to AFSCME’s independent-expenditure committee targeting Newman. However, Gonzalez hinted that the union’s frustration with Newman, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, is the result of multiple disagreements. In that sense, AFSCME’s move could be part of a broader calculation that taking out Newman clears the path for their agenda in the Senate, even if it means Republicans gain a seat in the process. “By all means, we have heard and understand the frustrations that AFSCME 3299 has with Sen. Newman,” Gonzalez told Playbook. “Nonetheless, a majority of our unions supported his endorsement.” The union’s targeting of a vulnerable Senate Democrat comes as Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire said protecting Newman is among the caucus’ top priorities this cycle. In a statement Wednesday, McGuire didn’t directly address AFSCME but projected confidence in Newman’s chances. “Senate Democrats have been actively engaged in this race for over a year, we know the numbers,and Senator Newman is going to win,” McGuire said. GOOD MORNING. Happy Thursday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. You can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on X — @DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. Happy birthday, governor! WHERE'S LARA GOING? Dear readers — After more than two years of gracing your inboxes every morning, this will be my last month helming California Playbook. It’s been an absolute privilege to do this job, and I’m grateful to have covered everything from a speakership coup to a Steve Garvey candidacy to pigeon diplomacy. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the unflagging support of my brilliant editors and colleagues, especially my co-authors, Jeremy B. White and Dustin Gardiner. I’ll be taking a break from California politics, and will share more about my next moves soon. In the meantime, my DMs are, as always, open for tips and hot goss. May you always meet the moment. With humility, Lara
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