Melanie Mason

Trump picks lightning-rod California legislator to be U.S. attorney in Los Angeles Assemblymember Bill Essayli is among several members of the state’s marginalized GOP given new prominence by the president.

Trump picks lightning-rod California legislator Bill Essayli to be U.S. attorney in Los Angeles. @politico.com's Blake Jones has the scoop

www.politico.com/news/2025/04...

Karen Bass makes a politically incendiary move: Sacking her fire chief The Los Angeles mayor, who has struggled to regain footing since fires swept her city, is now facing furious pushback from the firefighters’ union.

It's been a rough 6 weeks for LA mayor Karen Bass. Sacking the fire chief, ensuring a feud with the firefighters union, doesn't make things easier.
“You’re endorsed by firefighters, [it’s like] you’re endorsed by puppies and rainbows. These are America’s heroes.”
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...

Democrat Derek Tran ousts Michelle Steel in CA House battle The battle for the Orange County district turned harshly personal in the closing weeks of the campaign.

It's official: Democrats flip another GOP-held House seat in California, with Derek Tran ousting Michelle Steel

www.politico.com/news/2024/11...

Katie Porter alleges ‘persistent abuse,’ files domestic violence restraining order against ex-boyfriend Julian Willis’ alleged threats to leak “false” information to the press “poses a serious risk to my career and personal reputation,” Porter wrote. Willis said the filing was an effort to preempt his o...

NEW: Rep. Katie Porter filed for a domestic violence restraining order today against an ex-boyfriend, accusing him of “persistent abuse and harassment."

In an interview with POLITICO, her ex said Porter was attempting to preempt his own claims against her.

www.politico.com/news/2024/11...

Outgoing CA Sen. Laphonza Butler, in an interview, throws cold water on her name being circulated as potential DNC chair:

"We have an incredibly deep talent of great thinkers and strategists who are going to be able to take that work on...It is not a prospect for me at this time."

How does Rep. David Valadao keep winning? The House GOP incumbent's successful record in his purple California district is, to quote one former Democratic pollster, “ridiculous.”

omg this lede from @melmason.bsky.social is amazing -
"Cue up the “Wicked” soundtrack, because yet again, David Valadao is defying gravity."
www.politico.com/news/2024/11...

LA Council member caught in racist recording announces reelection bid Kevin de León, who compared a colleague’s adopted Black son to a luxury handbag last fall, is seeking political redemption.

A scoop this AM in LA politics: @kdeleon is running for re-election for LA City Council. It will be the first time voters will weigh in on the disgraced Council member since the leaked audio scandal completely upended Los Angeles last year: www.politico.com/news/2023/09...