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.
Latest From This Author
No two elections are alike. But there can be striking similarities, like the parallels between a bitterly fought California governor’s race and the Biden-Trump rematch. History says not to count Biden out.
May 12, 2024
Democrat Joe Simitian finished out of the running in a Silicon Valley congressional contest by just five votes. Unlike Trump, he conceded swiftly and with grace.
May 9, 2024
In a new district, the fiery Colorado congresswoman enjoys a solid base among the GOP’s MAGA wing. But some are put off by her indiscretions and messy personal life.
May 1, 2024
Freed of responsibilities as speaker, the Bakersfield Republican can devote himself to what’s long been his forte: campaigns and elections. Payback is part of his agenda.
April 21, 2024
David Hume Kennerly quit the Gerald Ford Foundation board when the group refused to honor Liz Cheney because, Kennerly says, it’s afraid of Donald Trump.
April 11, 2024
Instead of deflecting, Trump’s move places his political fate in the hands of judges and state lawmakers willing to go far beyond where most voters stand.
April 10, 2024
The ex-president tends to think aloud and let us in on his deliberations. But his choice of a vice presidential running mate remains a mystery, like Kennedy’s path to victory.
April 4, 2024
The defenestration of Ronna McDaniel, threatened disbarment of John Eastman and capitulation of Kari Lake in a defamation lawsuit suggest a welcome reckoning is upon us.
March 30, 2024
Most of those known as ‘double haters’ will come around to support one of the two major party presidential nominees. But some, like Victoria Thompson, won’t back Trump or Biden under any circumstances.
March 27, 2024
A state that fancies itself a progressive path-breaker and bastion of open-minded opportunity has never elected a woman to Sacramento’s top job. That male hegemony could finally end in 2026.
March 20, 2024