Election 2008 Primary

Capital Public Radio Coverage

   
The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate. ~ Thomas Jefferson

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  • McCain campaiging in Iowa in September
    McCain campaiging in Iowa in September
    McCain Makes Brief Fundraising Stop in Sacramento
    Republican presidential candidate John McCain stopped by Sacramento Thursday as part of a fundraising swing through California.
    Thursday, November 15, 2007
  • Governor Featured In Environmental Ad
    Environmentally-themed TV ads featuring Governor Schwarzenegger start airing around the country Monday. The spots urge Congress to cap greenhouse gas emissions.
    Friday, November 16, 2007
  • Secretary of State Sues Voting Machine Manufacturer
    California Secretary of State Debra Bowen is suing a voting systems manufacturer for fifteen million dollars. She claims five counties’ were sold equipment that was not properly certified.
    Monday, November 19, 2007
  • Why Presidential Candidates are Skipping Sacramento
    Now that Thanksgiving’s over, the presidential campaigns are set for the final push towards primary season. But don’t expect many more candidate visits to the Sacramento region anytime soon – especially from Democrats.
    Monday, November 26, 2007
  • www.whitehouse.gov
    www.whitehouse.gov
    Obama Opens Campaign Office in Sacramento
    Democrat Barack Obama is now the first presidential candidate in either party to open an office in Sacramento.
    Friday, December 21, 2007
  • Campaign Ads in Reno Heat Up
    Nevada’s January 19th caucuses are now less than a month away, and presidential campaigns are stepping up their advertising. Both parties are buying TV time, but two Democrats are grabbing the headlines.
    Wednesday, December 26, 2007
  • Stressed-out Elections Workers In 2008?
    If you get a little overwhelmed just thinking about heading to the polls three times in 2008 consider election workers. They’re likely in for a lot of overtime....
    Monday, December 31, 2007
  • www.saccounty.net
    www.saccounty.net
    2008 Political Lookahead: Dickinson Won't Run for Mayor
    Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson says he will not run for mayor of Sacramento this year. That leaves the current mayor with no clear challenger.
    Wednesday, January 2, 2008
  • California Set to Weigh in on Presidential Race
    California political junkies rejoice! It looks like you will have a say in the 2008 presidential election after all! On the morning after the New Hampshire primary, the campaigns are already turning their attention to the Golden State.
    Wednesday, January 9, 2008
  • www.house.gov/doolittle
    www.house.gov/doolittle
    Doolittle to Retire at End of Term, Won't Seek Re-Election
    John Doolittle says he’s retiring from Congress at the end of the year. The Justice Department has been investigating his ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. But the Rocklin Republican says that’s not why he’s calling it quits.
    Thursday, January 10, 2008
  • Governor's Surprise Endorsement Angers Some
    Governor Schwarzenegger has made a surprise endorsement of Proposition 93. The measure that’s on the February ballot would change state lawmakers’ term limits. Opponents are bashing what they call his change of heart.
    Tuesday, January 15, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Pres. Clinton Campaigns at UC Davis
    Senator Hillary Clinton’s most famous supporter was in town last night. Former President Bill Clinton watched the Democratic presidential candidates debate in Sacramento, then spoke at a campaign rally at U-C Davis.
    Wednesday, January 16, 2008
  • Edwards In Reno, Announces Economic Plan
    Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards unveiled his economic stimulus plan in Reno Wednesday – three days before the Nevada caucuses.
    Wednesday, January 16, 2008
  • Presidential Candidates In Reno
    Two Democratic presidential candidates came to Reno Wednesday to talk about the economy…three days before Saturday’s Nevada caucuses.
    Wednesday, January 16, 2008
  • The Power of Independent Voters
    California’s Independent voters could overtake the two major political parties within the next twenty years….. and they could have an impact on next month’s presidential primary.
    Thursday, January 17, 2008
  • Nevada Gears Up For Caucuses
    The Nevada caucuses are just two days away, so it’s no surprise that two major Democratic presidential candidates came to Reno Wednesday.
    Thursday, January 17, 2008
  • GOP Candidates Give Nevada Short Shrift
    Although the Democratic presidential race in Nevada is getting most of the attention, Republicans are also expected to caucus in force on Saturday. Willie Albright reports.
    Thursday, January 17, 2008
  • Casino Workers Caucus Lawsuit Thrown Out
    A federal judge has rejected a lawsuit that would have blocked many workers on the Las Vegas Strip from participating in Nevada’s Democratic presidential caucuses. Willie Albright reports.
    Thursday, January 17, 2008
  • Gabriela Mendoza will caucus for Clinton
    Gabriela Mendoza will caucus for Clinton
    Undecided Nevada Dems Running Out of Time
    The Nevada caucuses are now just a day away, and many Reno-area voters still haven’t made up their minds.
    Friday, January 18, 2008
  • Obama Campaigns In Reno
    It’s a furious last day of campaigning for the Democratic presidential candidates in Nevada. Barack Obama held a morning rally in Reno.
    Friday, January 18, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Democratic Candidates Canvas Reno
    Steve Milne talks with Ben Adler in Reno about the pre-caucus activities.
    Friday, January 18, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Romney, Clinton Take Nevada Caucuses
    Mitt Romney has won a sparsely-contested Republican caucus, while Hillary Clinton edged out Barack Obama on the Democratic side.
    Saturday, January 19, 2008
  • A Messy Kind of Democracy
    The huge turnout at Saturday's Nevada caucuses led to a lot of chaos. It was also the first time the state has had such an early say in the nomination process. KXJZ’s Ben Adler attended a Democratic caucus in Reno.
    Monday, January 21, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Nevada Caucuses: One-and-done?
    A top Nevada lawmaker says the Silver State’s first large-scale presidential caucuses Saturday were so hectic that she wants to scrap them.
    Tuesday, January 22, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Clinton, Obama Target State's Latino Voters
    The Democratic presidential candidates are targeting California’s ever-growing Hispanic population ahead of the state’s February 5th primary.
    Wednesday, January 23, 2008
  • Californians: Record Pessimism About State's Economy
    Californians are apparently pretty dejected about the state’s economic situation. A new Public Policy Institute of California survey finds a record level of concern. But it also points to a record level of interest in February’s election.
    Friday, January 25, 2008
  • Calif. Independent Voters Switching Parties
    California is well-known for its high number of “decline-to-state” voters, the Golden State’s version of independents. But that number is actually shrinking – if only for Super Tuesday.
    Monday, January 28, 2008
  • Prop 91: Almost Abandoned, But Not Quite...
    It’s a rarity in the world of politics. A group spends millions to put an initiative on February’s ballot – and then tells people not to vote for it. That’s what’s happened with the transportation funding measure known as proposition 91.
    Monday, January 28, 2008
  • Prop 92: Divisions In The Education Community
    Funding for community colleges is at the heart of Proposition 92 on next week’s ballot… It’s a measure that has divided the education community.
    Monday, January 28, 2008
  • Prop 93: Changing Term Limits
    One of the measures Sacramento lawmakers will be watching very carefully come election night is proposition 93. The constitutional Amendment would change the way term limits work in California.
    Tuesday, January 29, 2008
  • McCain campaiging in Iowa in September
    McCain campaiging in Iowa in September
    Calif. Presidential Primary Preview: The Republicans
    Super Tuesday is now less than a week away, and the leading presidential candidates are turning their attention to California. KXJZ checks out the race between the top two Republicans, who debated Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
    Wednesday, January 30, 2008
  • Sources Say Governor Will Back McCain
    Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to make an announcement Thursday.
    Wednesday, January 30, 2008
  •  
    Governor Speaks Out Against Prop. 92
    Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he opposes the ballot measure aimed at funding for California’s Community Colleges.
    Wednesday, January 30, 2008
  • Props 94-97: Indian Gaming
    Voters will decide Tuesday if four Southern California tribes will be allowed to greatly expand their gambling operations. In the last installment of our series on the ballot measures, Jenny O’Mara explains Propositions 94 through 97.
    Thursday, January 31, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Calif. Presidential Primary Preview: The Democrats
    It’s now a sprint to the Super Tuesday finish line for the Democratic presidential candidates after their debate last night in Los Angeles. KXJZ checks out the Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama battle in the Golden State.
    Friday, February 1, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Clinton (Bill) Campaigns in Sacramento
    Former President Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife in Sacramento Monday as polls showed the state’s Democratic race tightening.
    Monday, February 4, 2008
  • Democrats' Tight Race Leads to Fierce Campaigning
    Super Tuesday is finally here. And in California, where Hillary Clinton once held a solid lead, polls suggest Barack Obama has caught up. So on Monday, Bill Clinton stumped in Sacramento, while the Obama campaign countered with a rally of its own.
    Tuesday, February 5, 2008
  • Decline To State Problems
    There were complaints around California Tuesday from non-partisan or “decline to state” voters. And the Secretary of State says it’s time to take a closer look at the election code.
    Tuesday, February 5, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    How to Turn Out Young Voters
    What do you get when you take a gorilla suit and a bunch of college students – then apply games like “Whack-a-Mole” to Election Day get-out-the-vote efforts? KXJZ takes a look at one minor ingredient in Tuesday's estimated record turnout.
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008
  • Term Limits Measure Fails
    One ballot measure remained too close to call until after midnight: Prop. 93. That’s the one that would have changed term limits in California. But now its backers have conceded defeat
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008
  • Proposition 92: Community College Funding Measure Defeated
    Supporters of Proposition 92 say they’re disappointed about its failure.
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008
  • Propositions 94-97: Voters Approve Gaming Deals
    Voters have approved deals that will allow four Southern California tribes to expand their gaming operations.
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008
  • Ballot Proposition Wrap-up
    California voters said yes to new slot machines for tribal casinos.....and no to pretty much everything else Tuesday.
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008
  • Insurance Commissioner Applauds Defeat of Prop. 93
    The main opponent to Proposition 93—that would have changed term limits in the state legislature-- says his investment in the campaign paid off. He says it’s time now for lawmakers to turn their attention to another controversial issue.
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008
  • Democratic Superdelegate Steven Ybarra
    Democratic Superdelegate Steven Ybarra
    Local Superdelegates Say Their Voice Should Count
    Around 10 of California’s 66 Democratic superdelegates live in or near Sacramento, and some are just as undecided as their peers around the country. KXJZ caught up with two of them to find out who they are and what’s on their minds.
    Friday, February 22, 2008
  • Doolittle will retire at year's end
    Doolittle will retire at year's end
    GOP Primary for Doolittle's Seat Shaken Up
    The June primary battle to succeed GOP Congressman John Doolittle has gotten even more intriguing. The heavily-Republican 4th congressional district runs from Sacramento’s northeast suburbs to the Oregon and Nevada borders.
    Tuesday, March 4, 2008
  • John Decker
    John Decker
    Governor Gathers Signatures For Redistricting Measure
    Governor Schwarzenegger kicked off a campaign today to gather support for a constitutional amendment to change the way political districts are drawn. He’s pushing to get the initiative on the November ballot.
    Tuesday, March 4, 2008
  • He's in: Johnson to Challenge Fargo
    After weeks of speculation, Kevin Johnson made it official Wednesday: He’s running for mayor of Sacramento. The former NBA star will challenge the city’s current mayor, Heather Fargo, who’s seeking a third four-year term in June.
    Wednesday, March 5, 2008
  • Johnson Has Well-Connected Campaign Team
    Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson is a registered Democrat. But his campaign team is full of some well-connected names from both political parties.
    Monday, March 10, 2008
  • Fargo: "My Vision for the City is Coming to Fruition"
    Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo wants a third term in office. But as she faces her toughest campaign in eight years, critics question whether her vision for the city is strong enough.
    Thursday, March 13, 2008
  • Record Primary Turnout for California
    Last month’s primary election set a new turnout record. That’s the word from the Secretary of State.
    Monday, March 17, 2008
  • Recall of State Senator Qualifies for Ballot
    What’s been called “down and dirty” politics by some is now a fight at the ballot box. A petition to recall a Republican state Senator has qualified to go before voters
    Wednesday, March 19, 2008
  • Johnson Loan Lets Him Outspend Fargo by Wide Margin
    Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson has outspent Mayor Heather Fargo by a huge margin since he entered the race earlier this month, according to campaign finance statements.
    Tuesday, March 25, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Johnson Wins Police Union Endorsement
    Kevin Johnson has picked up a major endorsement in his race against Sacramento mayor Heather Fargo. It’s from the Sacramento Police Officers Association, with more than 8-hundred members.
    Thursday, March 27, 2008
  • Mayor Fargo and her staff
    Mayor Fargo and her staff
    Fargo: State of Sacramento is Bright, Optimistic
    Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo gave her annual State of the City address today -- in the midst of her toughest campaign since her first mayoral race in 2000.
    Friday, March 28, 2008
  • Crime Stats and Politics in the Sacramento Mayor's Race
    Public safety has become a big topic early on in the Sacramento mayoral race. Mayor Heather Fargo says the city’s crime rate is down. Her top challenger, Kevin Johnson, says it’s up. So KXJZ crunched the numbers.
    Tuesday, April 1, 2008
  • From left: Sheedy, Cohn and Johnson
    From left: Sheedy, Cohn and Johnson
    Johnson Picks up Two City Council Endorsements
    Sacramento city council members Sandy Sheedy and Steve Cohn have endorsed Kevin Johnson for mayor. That’s a switch for both of them, who originally supported Mayor Heather Fargo before Johnson entered the race.
    Thursday, April 3, 2008
  • El Dorado County School District Pushing Bond Measure
    With both individuals and governments facing rough financial times this year, you might think the June 3rd election would be a bad time to put a bond measure on the ballot. But that’s not fazing the El Dorado Union High School District.
    Tuesday, April 15, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Mayoral Candidates Pick Up Labor Endorsements
    Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo and her chief rival, Kevin Johnson, each rolled out their labor support Thursday.
    Thursday, April 17, 2008
  • Johnson speaking Thursday
    Johnson speaking Thursday
    Johnson Responds to Release of Police Report
    Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson responded Thursday to the release of a Phoenix police report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct with a child. He was investigated but never charged over the incident which happened over a decade ago.
    Thursday, April 17, 2008
  • Metro Chamber President Matt Mahood
    Metro Chamber President Matt Mahood
    Metro Chamber Mayoral Nod Sparks Sharp Words
    Kevin Johnson picked up another endorsement Monday in the race for mayor of Sacramento: from the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce's political arm. That led to some heated rhetoric from the chamber president and the current mayor, Heather Fargo.
    Monday, April 21, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Johnson Campaign Hires Two More Big Guns
    Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson has hired two more big-name campaign operatives – one from each side of the political aisle.
    Tuesday, April 22, 2008
  • Fargo Campaign Not Worried About Money, Staff
    Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo faces huge disadvantages in money and campaign staff from challenger Kevin Johnson. But her campaign manager says he’s not worried.
    Thursday, April 24, 2008
  • KXJZ/Ben Adler
    KXJZ/Ben Adler
    Johnson's St. HOPE Under Federal Investigation
    The non-profit organization founded by Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson is under investigation by the federal government.
    Friday, April 25, 2008
  • Big Budget Cuts Proposed for Sacramento
    Some big cuts are in store for the city of Sacramento, from libraries to parks to public safety. City officials released their proposed budget Thursday for the fiscal year that starts July 1st.
    Thursday, May 1, 2008
  • The Sacramento City Council
    The Sacramento City Council
    Calculated Risk in City Budget
    The Sacramento City Council starts two months of budget hearings Tuesday as it looks at several different departments. In the preliminary budget, the city uses extra reserve funds to avoid cutting police and fire services. That’s a calculated risk.
    Tuesday, May 6, 2008
  • www.californiamuseum.org
    www.californiamuseum.org
    Johnson, Fargo Set to Debate for First Time
    The seven candidates for Sacramento mayor will square off tonight for the first time, and all eyes will be on Mayor Heather Fargo and her top challenger, Kevin Johnson.
    Wednesday, May 7, 2008
  • Denham Campaign Photo
    Denham Campaign Photo
    Denham Campaign Still Going
    State Senator Jeff Denham says he’s still campaigning to keep his job. That’s despite the fact that the Senate Democratic Leader is dropping his effort to recall the G.O.P lawmaker.
    Thursday, May 8, 2008
  • Voter Registration Deadline on Monday
    The June primary is right around the corner. And Monday is the deadline to register to vote in that election. Non-partisan voters should listen up for some changes this time around.
    Friday, May 16, 2008
  • KXJZ file photo
    KXJZ file photo
    Report: Johnson Paid Phoenix Teen Settlement
    Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson reportedly agreed to pay a Phoenix teenager who claimed he molested her $230,000 in a confidential settlement. That’s according to a report in Tuesday's Sacramento Bee.
    Tuesday, May 20, 2008
  • Fargo to Sac PD: Re-Open Johnson Sac High Case
    Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo wants the city’s police department to re-open an investigation into her top opponent, Kevin Johnson.
    Wednesday, May 21, 2008
  • The Brocchini Family Farm In Stockton
    The Brocchini Family Farm In Stockton
    Eminent Domain: The Dueling Measures On Tuesday's Ballot
    Next week you’ll be asked to vote on two very different ballot measures that deal with the same subject: The right of the government to take private property -- known as eminent domain. We’re talking about propositions 98 and 99.
    Thursday, May 29, 2008
  • Voter Registration Hits a Milestone
    Voter registration has hit a milestone in California. Now seventy percent of those eligible have signed up.
    Friday, May 30, 2008
  • What's On The Ballot Tuesday?
    Californians are headed to the polls again today/tomorrow (Tuesday) for a second primary election
    Monday, June 2, 2008
  • Low Turnout Expected: Competitive Legislative Races
    Turnout is expected to be pretty abysmal for Tuesday’s primary election. One reason to head to the polls? When it comes to state legislative races it’s actually the more competitive contest.
    Monday, June 2, 2008