Political columnist George Skelton has covered government and politics for 60 years and for The Times since 1974. He has been a Times political writer and editor in Los Angeles, Sacramento bureau chief and White House correspondent. He has written a column on California politics, “Capitol Journal,” since 1993. Skelton is a Santa Barbara native, grew up in Ojai and received a journalism degree at San Jose State.
Latest From This Author
Freshman Sen. Catherine Blakespear was at the state Capitol in the Senate chamber when her ninth-grade daughter, Ava, texted. She was at school hiding under a desk.
Sept. 28, 2023
Aiming for more gun safety, the California Legislature fired away with hits and misses in its recently concluded annual session.
Sept. 25, 2023
The Republican Party will hold a presidential candidates debate at the Ronald Reagan library Wednesday. It’s a bad fit. The GOP’s modern idol is exactly the opposite of Reagan in personality and character.
Sept. 24, 2023
The most dramatic event of this year’s just-ended session in the Democratic-dominated California Legislature was a bizarre, unanimous GOP victory.
Sept. 18, 2023
It’s past time for us to accept what Gov. Gavin Newsom says about his presidential aspiration. Stop fantasizing about a potential Newsom race for the White House.
Sept. 14, 2023
The Rumford Fair Housing Act, the 1960s legislation to end racial discrimination on housing, produced arguably the biggest, bitterest brawl ever in California’s Capitol.
Sept. 4, 2023
California’s latest battle over taxes in the war between business interests and organized labor, represented by Republicans and Democrats, is gripping Sacramento.
Aug. 28, 2023
California’s Democratic governor and Florida’s GOP governor are opposed on the right U.S. course. Voters would benefit from hearing them make their case.
Aug. 21, 2023
President Biden’s problem is Vice President Kamala Harris. She’s a drag on his reelection prospects. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is a problem for California.
Aug. 14, 2023
California lawmakers would love to sell bonds to fund ambitious and often worthy projects. Fortunately, voters will have the final say on which projects merit borrowing.
July 27, 2023