It keeps getting worse for California Republicans

Inside the Golden State political arena

Oct 04, 2023 View in browser   By Lara Korte, Dustin Gardiner, Sejal Govindarao and Christopher Cadelago Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol after the House passed a motion to remove him from his position as Speaker of the House on Oct. 3, 2023. | Francis Chung/POLITICO DRIVING THE DAY: Mourners in San Francisco will gather today to pay their respects to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein as she lies in state at City Hall. It’s a fitting place to remember Feinstein. A lifelong San Franciscan, she emerged as a national figure while presiding as mayor of the city prior to her three decades in the U.S. Senate. She died last week at age 90. Residents can say their goodbyes and sign a condolence book from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services, which are not open to the public, will be held Thursday and broadcast on the late senator’s social media pages. THE BUZZ: A SPEAKER SIDELINED — Kevin McCarthy lost his job. California Republicans lost a lifeline. McCarthy’s defenestration in Washington leaves beleaguered Republicans in California, whose seats he helped defend, preparing to spend the next 13 months without one of their biggest assets. "He was a phenomenal fundraiser and phenomenal recruiter," Matt Shupe, a Republican strategist in the state, said of McCarthy. "Unless we get another Californian as Speaker, I think we all could have something to be concerned about." Reps. Michelle Steel, Young Kim, Mike Garcia, David Valadao, and John Duarte were already vulnerable before Tuesday’s dramatic removal, led by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and other hardline conservatives. With McCarthy now stripped of his power, the fight to hold their districts — and by extension, GOP control in Congress — just got that much more daunting. “Matt Gaetz and the other useful idiots have delivered a huge gift to [Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem] Jeffries,” said Rob Stutzman, a top Republican operative in California who has known McCarthy since his time in the statehouse in Sacramento. California Republicans tried to keep the ship steady on Tuesday (Valadao said he still “feels good” about his campaign) but others couldn’t dismiss the potential impact on the balance of power. McCarthy said he will not run again for the speakership — not surprising since it took him 15 rounds of voting to win the first time. Garcia said he still expects the former speaker to play an important role in keeping the California seats. Democratic consultants were jubilant that McCarthy’s ouster could boost their candidates in a half-dozen or so swing districts across California. Orrin Evans, a Democratic consultant working on multiple swing races, said McCarthy tarnished GOP candidates on his way out the door by forcing them to vote on a stopgap spending bill with cuts to law enforcement and other key services. The bill failed, and McCarthy relied on Democratic votes to temporarily avert a government shutdown. “The GOP is in full crisis mode. Every single one of these Republican enablers are going to have to own that parting gift from Kevin McCarthy from now to November 2024,” Evans said. GOOD MORNING. It’s Wednesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook.   GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE.     PLAYBOOK TIP LINE — Are you aware of any more seismic moves happening this week in California politics? Give us a ring or drop us a line. Now you can text us at ‪916-562-0685‬‪ — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts now. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on Twitter —@DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte  WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. FRESH INK People ride their bikes past a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, June 29, 2021. | Jae C. Hong/AP Photo HOMELESSNESS HOT POTATO — Homelessness continues to be a dominant and seemingly intractable issue across California. As Gov. Gavin Newsom, lawmakers, and mayors struggle to make headway, much of the conflict has shifted to the courts. On one side, Newsom and fellow Democratic executives bemoan court rulings that make it harder to clear encampments and expose them to voter wrath. In an odd inversion, they’ve denounced the famously liberal Ninth Circuit and sought help from a conservative U.S. Supreme Court. Newsom even considered doxxing a judge. On the other, cities and counties have faced lawsuits prodding them to move more people off the streets: Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho sued his own city, and Los Angeles recently reached a settlement in a years-long legal fight that, at one point, saw a judge order every person on Skid Row housed. Here’s Jeremy B. White’s story on the high-stakes legal fights. DOUBLING DOWN — Rep. Barbara Lee fully intends to stay in the state’s contentious Senate race if newly sworn-in Sen. Laphonza Butler decides to throw her hat into the ring for the full term, Lee adviser Anna Bahr told POLITICO. Lee has trailed congressional colleagues Katie Porter and Adam Schiff in polls and fundraising. A Butler run would throw a serious wrench into the race. WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY CRUISE ACCIDENT: A pedestrian in San Francisco got trapped underneath a Cruise car after a hit-and-run crash with another vehicle threw her in the path of autonomous taxi. The incident adds to fierce debate about the safety of the self-driving taxis that are now commonplace on the city’s streets. It wasn’t immediately clear if the vehicle’s autonomous technology played a role in the accident. (San Francisco Chronicle) WELL WORRIES: Lawmakers passed a measure this year that would require fossil-fuel companies to set aside money to seal oil and gas wells once they’re done drilling. But Newsom’s Department of Finance warns the bill could increase the number of abandoned, unplugged wells by making it too costly for larger operators to acquire smaller wells. Environmentalists are closely watching what the governor does next. (Los Angeles Times) CHALLENGER ALERT: Derek Tran, a 42 year-old lawyer specializing in personal injury and discrimination cases, raked in more than $250,000 in the 24 hours after he launched his campaign on Monday to oust Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), according to that campaign. That’s more than what any of the four other Democrats in the race raised in the last quarter. (POLITICO) Playbookers BIRTHDAYS — Matt Roberts … Annu Subramanian … William von Meister   Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of new episodes – click here.     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 Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner 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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