Political columnist George Skelton has covered government and politics for 60 years and for The Times since 1974. He has been a Times political writer and editor in Los Angeles, Sacramento bureau chief and White House correspondent. He has written a column on California politics, “Capitol Journal,” since 1993. Skelton is a Santa Barbara native, grew up in Ojai and received a journalism degree at San Jose State.
Latest From This Author
State Senate leader Toni Atkins is thinking seriously about running for governor of California. And hopefully she’ll enter the race.
Dec. 7, 2023
One big question after Thursday night’s hyped red-vs.-blue states debate is whether California Gov. Gavin Newsom is helping President Biden or hurting him.
Dec. 2, 2023
Schwarzenegger’s value to the political world was revealed again recently when he celebrated the 20th anniversary of becoming California governor, writes columnist George Skelton.
Nov. 27, 2023
Congratulations to Gov. Gavin Newsom for rushing the damaged 10 freeway back into service near downtown Los Angeles. But the all-time California freeway fixing champ is still former Gov. Pete Wilson.
Nov. 20, 2023
California’s state government began drawing up plans for Sites Reservoir in the Sacramento Valley 70 years ago. And it still only exists on paper. So, kudos to Gov. Gavin Newsom for deciding that it’s finally time to put this tardy project on the fast track.
Nov. 13, 2023
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently returned to planet Earth from the global stratosphere and was smacked with a down-home reality: California voters have turned negative on him.
Nov. 9, 2023
The disturbed gunman who killed 18 people and wounded 13 others in Lewiston, Maine, probably could not have committed his mass shooting in California.
Nov. 6, 2023
For lots of Californians–Democrats and Republicans alike–it’s a pox on both parties. And they’d like to see a new third party created.
Nov. 2, 2023
Interim U.S. Sen.
Oct. 30, 2023
It’s the job of a California governor to play adult supervisor and not give adolescent state legislators all the spending money they’d like. Otherwise, they’d break the family bank.
Oct. 23, 2023