The California congressman who could be POTUS

From: POLITICO California Playbook - Friday Mar 18,2022 01:14 pm

Mar 18, 2022

By Jeremy B. White, Chris Ramirez, Juhi Doshi and Graph Massara

THE BUZZ — ONE DOWN, ONE TO RO? — A prominent California politician of color with a Bay Area base could be a Biden bow-out away from seeking the presidency in 2024.

And no, we’re not talking about Vice President Kamala Harris.

Rep. Ro Khanna at a climate event in 2021.

Rep. Ro Khanna at a climate event in 2021. | Shannon Finney/Getty Images for Green New Deal Network

Allies of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are urging California Rep. Ro Khanna to fill the vacuum if President Joe Biden does not run for a second term, POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein scooped Thursday. That could stay in the realm of the hypothetical, given Biden’s repeated insistence that he intends to reach for reelection. But the fact that Khanna’s supporters are even thinking about it is telling in and of itself — and could ripple across California’s political landscape. Here’s what we made of the news:

— It undercuts the assumption that Harris would be the heir apparent should the Oval Office job open up. The former senator and AG’s ascension was initially a source of tremendous home-state pride — a California Democrat was next in line for the presidency! — but it’s become clear since that Harris wouldn’t be able to bank on an uncontested Democratic primary. We’re duty-bound to remind you here that Khanna got to Congress by unseating fellow Democratic then-Rep. Mike Honda.

— It underscores that Khanna has established a national profile, carving out a space as an ambitious progressive trying to spread the wealth from his Silicon Valley home base to a broader swathe of the country, all while pushing his colleagues to refine tech antitrust legislation. His role as a Sanders surrogate during the 2020 election further bolstered his bona fides.

— And it underlies California’s broader game of musical chairs. Khanna ultimately decided against challenging Sen. Alex Padilla’s quest for a full term this year, all but ensuring the 48-year-old Padilla has a firm grip on the seat for the foreseeable future. In the event Sen. Dianne Feinstein does not seek another term in 2024, it’s widely assumed that Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff — both rising Democratic stars with national followings — would look to leap to the Senate, and Khanna could also be in the mix. And Sanders has vouched for Khanna’s Senate viability before.

Those are all ingredients in a bubbling California campaign stew of redistricting, retirements, and runs for higher offices. It can be hard to keep track of who wants which office (and who would run for that person’s office if they leave) — and we haven’t even gotten to what will happen in the not-too-distant-future, when Speaker Nancy Pelosi ends her storied career.

BUENOS DÍAS, good Friday morning. Saturday is the two-year anniversary of Gov. Gavin Newsom issuing America’s first statewide stay-at-home order. A second lockdown, a virus-spurred gubernatorial recall and an end-of-session meltdown later, it’s hard to overstate just how much California politics — and the world — have been transformed in the 24 months since.

Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit jwhite@politico.com or follow me on Twitter @jeremybwhite.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Ukraine did not start this war. Neither did nationalists or Nazis. Those in power in the Kremlin started this war. This is not the Russian peoples’ war … so I urge the Russian people and the Russian soldiers in Ukraine to understand the propaganda and the disinformation that you’ve been told. I ask you to help me spread the truth.” Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger makes a Russian-subtitled appeal to the people of Russia.

TWEET OF THE DAY: Spectrum News 1 SoCal reporter @KateCagle on the vagaries of L.A. politics: “ A mayoral candidate talking smack to me about another mayoral candidate wearing Gucci loafers on Skid Row is peak Los Angeles politics.”

WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

JOIN THURSDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON CRYPTOCURRENCY AND REGULATION: Cryptocurrency has gone mainstream. With the market now valued at $1.8 trillion, Washington’s oversight of the fast-growing industry remains in its infancy. How should Congress and federal agencies shape future regulation of digital asset markets? Join POLITICO in person or virtually for a deep-dive discussion on what’s next for crypto, regulation and the future of finance. Programming will run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT with a reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT. REGISTER HERE.

Top Talkers

— “Recently unsealed video shows California man screaming 'I can't breathe' before dying in police custody after 2020 traffic stop,” by CNN’s Taylor Romine and Elizabeth Joseph: Edward “Bronstein is heard repeatedly telling officers, "I can't breathe," while pinned on the ground. Those three words would tug at the world's conscience less than two months later when repeated by George Floyd before his death while being restrained by Minneapolis police.”

WAIT, THERE’S MORE — “ Razzlekhan: The Untold Story Of How A YouTube Rapper Became A Suspect In A $4 Billion Bitcoin Fraud,” by Forbes’ Cyrus Farivar, David Jeans and Thomas Brewster: “Behind the headlines and telecasts, what remained a mystery was how [Heather] Morgan, 31, a woman of humble beginnings in rural California, where she once described picking walnuts and cleaning houses, allegedly came into unimaginable wealth — a sum that grew from $70 million to more than $4 billion as the price of Bitcoin soared — and then became an object of international ridicule.”

OK, FINE — “ Judge allows Herb Wesson to rejoin the L.A. City Council — at least for now,” by the LA Times’ David Zahnsier: “Judge Mary H. Strobel declined to rule Thursday on whether Wesson is legally eligible to come back as a temporary replacement for Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who has been suspended and is fighting corruption charges.”

CAMPAIGN MODE

— “Sacramento is heading to a ‘Super Bowl’ election this June. Who’s on the ballot?” by the Sac Bee’s Theresa Clift: “Two key events created the conditions for change in the county’s political leadership: The state’s once-a-decade redrawing of political boundaries and several longtime officials opting not to seek reelection.”

STATE ASSEMBLY RACE — “Socialist James Coleman Thinks California Is Ready for a Leftward Shift ,” by Jacobin’s Piper Winkler.

CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR

LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS — California lawmakers to debate bill on Newsom's mental health courts, by POLITICO’s Victoria Colliver: “Sens. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) and Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) have introduced CA SB1338(21R) to carry out Newsom's proposal, which Eggman stressed is designed to help the ‘very, very chronic users’ of jails and ERs.”

SLOW AND STEADY … “Housing Subsidies Can’t Keep Pace with Surging Rents, ” by the Voice of San Diego’s Lisa Halverstadt: “A regional housing shortage that spawned those surging rents and home prices has also spawned booming demand for rental assistance and subsidized affordable housing that falls short of that need.”

HERE TO HELP — California lawmaker to seek legal protections for out-of-state transgender youth, by POLITICO’s Chris Ramirez: State Sen. Scott Wiener described the bill as a response to ‘truly vicious, hateful, disgraceful’ laws and executive actions targeting transgender youth in other states for seeking such medical services.

SPOTLIGHT — California lawmakers to debate limits on worker surveillance, by POLITICO’s Susannah Luthi: The measure touches on an area of push-pull since the state passed its landmark 2018 California Consumer Privacy Act that mandated new data privacy rules for all residents.

NOTHING NEW, NOTHING CHANGED — “ California hit employers with huge COVID fines but settled for far less. Here’s why,” by the Sac Bee’s Jason Pohl and Dale Kasler: “Nearly two years after that botched transfer and series of violations, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has paid none of its huge fine at San Quentin, according to state records. Moreover, records show serious violations remain unabated at San Quentin prison and more than a dozen other facilities across California.”

CUTTING COSTS — “ California lawmakers vote to make abortions cheaper,” by the AP’s Adam Beam: “While the bill would reduce the cost of abortions, it would also slightly increase monthly premiums for patients and their employers. But the savings from eliminating out-of-pocket costs would be greater than the increase in monthly premiums.”

MENTAL HEALTH HELP — “ ‘Youth are more in crisis.’ What that mental health toll looks like in Fresno County,” by the Fresno Bee’s Yesenia Amaro: “In the city of Fresno alone, some 3,000 children ages 18 and younger were involved in involuntary mental holds by the Fresno Police Department in the last three years, according to police incident data obtained through a public records act request.”

WAITING GAME — “10 real estate markets on the cusp of a San Francisco-style affordability crisis,” by the SF Chronicle’s Kellie Hwang: “Home prices in unexpected areas have shot up in the past two years, leading to housing scarcity as people left big cities in search of more space and cheaper prices in suburban and rural areas.”

THE OUTLIER — “Amid student housing crisis, UCLA becomes first UC campus with four-year room guarantee,” by the LA Times’ Teresa Watanabe: “Unlike other campuses, UCLA has managed to avoid litigation from neighbors over its housing projects. That’s in part because the campus has built most of its housing within its existing footprint by redeveloping old buildings and removing parking lots.”

RESERVOIR RESCUE — “Big new California reservoir on track for $2.2B federal loan, ” by the AP’s Adam Beam.

DON’T MISS POLITICO’S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE.

BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL

SO, WHAT NOW? — Dems search for next steps on Covid aid as headaches pile up, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris, Marianne LeVine and Adam Cancryn: But that brings up a bigger problem for the party: Now that the cash has been detached from the giant bipartisan spending deal that leaders had assumed would guarantee its passage, how do they get it through the 50-50 Senate?

OIL OPTIMISTS — “ In California’s dusty oil country, Ukraine war brings faint hope of keeping wells flowing,” by the LA Times’ Louis Sahgún: “In a letter sent to Newsom a week ago, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) said, ‘it is critical that we actively work to replace Russian oil imports’ with ‘cleaner American energy that can be produced in California by Californians.’”

— “ Garcetti’s office gave confidential city-ordered report on harassment investigation to Senate panel,” by the LA Times’ Dakota Smith: “The report is now being sought by Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) in his investigation into whether Garcetti was aware of allegations of sexual misconduct by former aide Rick Jacobs.”

CANNABIS COUNTRY

STIRRING THE POT — Newsom's call for pot tax overhaul sparks a slew of competing proposals, by POLITICO’s Alex Nieves: The six proposals on the table offer vastly different policy approaches, from maintaining existing tax rates to dramatically slashing the tax burden and offering tax credits.

MIXTAPE

— “Sacramento city teachers to strike next week as dispute over staffing drags on,” by the Sac Bee’s Sawsan Morrar.

— “S.F. adds police in the Tenderloin — just as Mayor Breed’s drug overdose emergency ends,” by the SF Chronicle’s Mallory Moench.

— “ How to Build a Pedestrian Bridge That Doesn’t Get You Anywhere,” by Curbed’s Alissa Walker.

— “‘Despicable behavior’: School officials react to racist threats at Sacramento community college, ” by the Sac Bee’s Rosalio Ahumada.

— “Connie Chan Says She’s ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ on JFK Drive Compromise With the Mayor,” by the SF Standard’s Sarah Wright and Han Li.

CHEATERS AT CHAPMAN — “Hoping to Identify Cheaters, a Professor Sues His Own Students,” by NYT’s Michael Levenson.

— “ S.F. teachers union, school district reach deal to resolve missing paycheck issue,” by the SF Chronicle’s Lauren Hernández.

Transitions

— Mark Baldassare announced he is leaving his longtime perch as Public Policy Institute of California president and CEO at the end of 2022.

— “ SF Chronicle taps Rezal as data reporter,” by Talking Biz News’ Mariam Ahmed.

BIRTHDAYS

Karen Knutson of Chevron … Meta’s Kristin Lee … Terri McCullough of Pelosi’s office … IBM’s Mike DeFilippis … Marc Adelman
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 -only service offers, click here.

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