Mark Z. Barabak is a political columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on California and the West. He has covered campaigns and elections in 49 of the 50 states, including a dozen presidential contests and scores of mayoral, legislative, gubernatorial and congressional races. He also reported from the White House and Capitol Hill during the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations.
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Harris moved notably leftward in her 2020 bid for president, seeing it as the best path to the Democratic nomination. But the move failed to reflect Harris’ true self, which is more center-left.
Sept. 22, 2024
Like the rest of the nation, voters on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington appear evenly split between the two. Many in Clallam County — the last presidential bellwether county in America — can’t fathom how anyone thinks differently.
Sept. 19, 2024
The former president issued a fire hose of lies and clearly let his Democratic antagonist get under his skin. Harris’ strong performance may not lead to a huge increase in support, but she probably helped her candidacy.
Sept. 11, 2024
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris meet tonight for the first debate of their closely fought presidential contest. Join Times columnists for live updates.
Sept. 10, 2024
The vice president’s wholehearted celebration of the city she was born in wasn’t necessarily reciprocated the first time she ran for president. But as Harris makes a second try, many are now happy to accept the accolade.
Sept. 5, 2024
It’s absurd to suggest the vice president wields the power to stem inflation, secure the border and solve the myriad problems that Trump lays at Harris’ feet.
Aug. 30, 2024
The vice president and California’s governor, both products of San Francisco’s elbows-out political culture, have been running side-by-side for more than two decades. Newsom has settled uneasily into the role of also-ran.
Aug. 27, 2024
California is having a moment, and with that comes greater scrutiny. The presidential campaign is a fight to define both the state and Kamala Harris for the rest of America.
Aug. 25, 2024
Kamala Harris faced high expectations for her Democratic convention acceptance speech. She met the moments and strongly positioned herself for the final stretch of the fiercely fought presidential campaign.
Aug. 23, 2024
Tim Walz delivered an acceptance speech that checked all the political boxes. But he didn’t show much of the joy that he brought to the Democratic presidential ticket.
Aug. 22, 2024