Top Ten Winners & Losers In California Politics For The Week Ending 12/19/25 - Dhillon, Newsom, Swalwell, Cox, the loathsome Mayor of Richmond, and more...
Each week we pick ten people or groups that had a particularly good or bad week, and label them winners or losers! For the week ending 12/19, here they are...
Below is our Top Ten List of Winners and Losers for the Week. This feature is available to all of our subscribers, free and paid.
⏱️ 5 minute read
This is where we examine state and local politics (or national issues with a California angle), and highlight individuals (or groups) who have achieved notable successes or have had a particularly challenging week. I strive to call balls and strikes fairly and objectively, which sometimes makes assembling this list difficult.
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Top Winners & Losers This Week in California Politics
⬆️ VIDEO WINNER OF THE WEEK: ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL HARMEET DHILLON
(Each week, I record a video about one of our winners or losers)
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon earned public praise from President Donald Trump for her aggressive legal stance against antisemitism and her defense of civil rights, highlighting her role as head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. At a Hanukkah celebration, the president lauded her willingness to pursue lawsuits “against anybody who’s anti-Semitic,” underscoring her prominence in combating discrimination and holding powerful institutions accountable. Her leadership in this role reflects a growing federal emphasis on enforcing civil rights protections and signals a more rigid legal posture on hate and bias nationwide.
⬇️ LOSER: GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA
California’s governor is facing fresh political fallout as a state audit revealed the Employment Development Department wasted at least $4.6 million on thousands of unused cellphones and wireless devices, racking up service fees for four and a half years without verifying whether the devices were actually used. This latest example of mismanagement at a key state agency,
now dubbed “Phone Gate” underscores chronic operational failures under his watch and gives critics a new opening to question competence and accountability at the top of state government.
⬇️ LOSER: JACKIE FIELDER, SAN FRANCISCO SUPERVISOR
San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder led the Board of Supervisors in advancing legislation that will impose new barriers on companies like DoorDash seeking to test delivery drones, including special permits and delays to innovation in emerging technology. Instead of fostering economic growth or balancing safety with progress, her proposal gives the government coercive power to slow technological advancement at the behest of union interests and job-preservation politics. This move risks ceding San Francisco’s reputation as a hub for innovation and shows how regulatory overreach can stifle job creation and future-focused industries.
⬇️ LOSER: EDUARDO MARTINEZ, RICHMOND MAYOR
Richmond’s mayor ignited outrage after posting antisemitic conspiracy content on LinkedIn that echoed classic tropes blaming Jews and Israel for violence, prompting swift condemnation from Jewish organizations and civic leaders. Deleting the posts and issuing a belated apology did little to contain the damage. The episode exposed reckless judgment from a sitting mayor and raised serious questions about leadership, temperament, and respect for an entire community. At a moment when antisemitism is rising nationwide, this behavior is not a minor lapse—it is disqualifying conduct from someone entrusted with public office.
⬆️ WINNER: SABLE OFFSHORE
After years of regulatory paralysis, federal intervention finally shifted momentum toward restarting offshore oil production off the coast of Santa Barbara. A formal determination by federal pipeline regulators placed safety oversight under Washington’s authority, stripping Sacramento of a key delay tactic and reopening a path long blocked by state regulators. The move followed federal inspections and legal review, signaling serious intent. With major California refineries closing and fuel prices poised to spike, the development positions this project as a concrete response to the state’s worsening energy crunch and prolonged resistance to domestic production.
⬇️ LOSER: ERIC SWALWELL, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE
A sitting member of Congress drew renewed scrutiny for missing multiple House votes while attending celebrity events and high-profile gatherings, reinforcing concerns about misplaced priorities. The pattern feeds voter frustration with lawmakers who appear more focused on personal branding than legislative responsibility. For someone seeking the governor’s office, skipping votes is not a minor lapse but a direct contradiction of claims to executive seriousness. The episode strengthens doubts about readiness for higher office and underscores why absenteeism in Washington continues to erode public trust.
⬇️ LOSER: TJ COX, FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN
Former Democratic Congressman from the Central Valley TJ Cox was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges tied to schemes that misled investors and diverted funds for personal use. The sentence marks a steep fall from elected office to incarceration and effectively ends any political future. Prosecutors had sought a longer term, underscoring the seriousness of the conduct. The case stands as a clear reminder that representing a congressional district does not shield politicians from accountability when criminal behavior finally catches up with them.
⬆️ WINNER: ACTOR JAMES WOODS
In the aftermath of the tragic murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle—an act for which their son has since been charged—James Woods offered a rare moment of grace and humanity. Despite stark political differences, he spoke publicly and sincerely about their friendship and mutual respect, separating ideology from personal decency. At a time when public discourse often rewards cruelty, his remarks stood out for their restraint and compassion. The response resonated precisely because it acknowledged loss without exploitation and reminded audiences that character still matters, even amid profound tragedy. I posted this earlier in the week but if you missed it…
⬇️ LOSER: JOHN LEE, LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL
A Los Angeles City Councilmember was hit with a six-figure ethics fine after officials found repeated violations of city gift laws tied to a lavish Las Vegas trip and other undisclosed perks from outside interests. The Ethics Commission sustained multiple counts and imposed penalties totaling roughly $138,000, underscoring a clear breach of public trust that extends well beyond technical paperwork errors. The punishment stands as a rare, concrete consequence in a one-party city where accountability is often elusive, and it reinforces public skepticism about ethics enforcement at City Hall.
⬇️ LOSER: CHRIS BECERRA, BREA OLINDA SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
The arrest of a sitting school board trustee on allegations involving sexually explicit messages to a minor has plunged the Brea Olinda Unified School District into crisis. Beyond the criminal case, the looming specter of civil lawsuits now threatens taxpayers and the district’s financial stability. Claims tied to failure of oversight, safeguarding, or reporting can be enormously costly, especially for a school system with limited resources. What began as individual misconduct could quickly escalate into years of litigation, massive legal bills, and settlements that risk bankrupting the district and undermining public trust.
Now that you see what this column is all about, keep your eyes peeled. If you have someone you'd like to suggest for featuring in this column next week, please drop me a note. I will keep the names of those who make suggestions confidential. I do typically have a split with winners, too. This week didn’t end up that way!
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