Alexei Koseff
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akoseff.bsky.social
Alexei Koseff
@akoseff.bsky.social
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Keeping an eye on all things California in Washington DC for the San Francisco Chronicle. Reach me at alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com
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akoseff.bsky.social
Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Sep 9
I’ve hit my term limit in Sacramento. This is my last week at CalMatters.

It’s been a privilege to help Californians understand how their government is serving them for the past 12 years. I’m excited to continue that work in a new way in Washington.

www.sfchronicle.com/about/newsro...
Alexei Koseff rejoins San Francisco Chronicle as D.C. correspondent
Washington D.C. correspondent Alexei Koseff will play a key role in chronicling President Trump’s policies targeting California and the tension between the state and the federal government.
www.sfchronicle.com
akoseff.bsky.social
In recent months, as Newsom grew his national profile, his rhetoric has also become increasingly biblical, writes @sophiabollag.bsky.social: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
As Gavin Newsom’s national profile grows, his rhetoric is getting more biblical
Gavin Newsom’s rhetoric has become strikingly biblical as he has elevated his national profile. It could be a strategic move as he tries to appeal to voters in swing states who may be more...
www.sfchronicle.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Congress’ attention is poised to shift next week to the Epstein files — due in large part to @rokhanna.bsky.social and @robertgarcia.bsky.social, who have keyed into the case as one of Democrats’ most effective political attacks against President Donald Trump. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
These California Democrats are key to the push to release the Epstein files
Two California Democrats have keyed into the release of the Epstein files as one of their party’s most effective political attacks against President Trump: “We won’t stop until we do that.”
www.sfchronicle.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
A lawsuit claiming that Proposition 50 is an illegal racial gerrymander now has the backing of Trump's Justice Department
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Trump’s DOJ seeks to join Republican-led suit to overturn California’s Prop 50
The Trump administration is seeking to join a Republican lawsuit that claims the new congressional maps approved by state voters last week illegally discriminate in favor of Hispanics.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Trump administration accuses California's Rep. Eric Swalwell, a vocal critic of the president, of mortgage fraud, @nbcnews.com reports. Sen. Adam Schiff is facing a similar investigation.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Trump official refers Rep. Eric Swalwell for a federal criminal probe over alleged mortgage fraud
Swalwell is the latest Democrat to face mortgage fraud allegations from Federal Housing Finance Agency head Bill Pulte, who sent a letter to the Justice Department on Wednesday.
www.nbcnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:03 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
"The news today of formal accusations of impropriety by a long-serving trusted advisor are a gut punch. I have voluntarily cooperated with the US Department of Justice in their investigation, and will continue to do so," Xavier Becerra said in a statement
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Former Gavin Newsom chief of staff federally indicted for stealing from Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra is not named in the indictment but confirmed his identity and involvement in the investigation in a statement to the Chronicle.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:33 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
The Trump administration set the refugee admissions cap for the coming year at just 7,500, with most slots for Afrikaners from South Africa. The decision is expected to significantly reshape how resettlement services are delivered nationwide. www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
The Bay Area’s ‘Little Kabul’ once welcomed Afghan refugees. Federal cuts are changing that
Federal cuts to Bay Area resettlement agencies imperil Afghan refugees in hubs like Fremont’s “Little Kabul.”
www.sfchronicle.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Nancy Pelosi's daughter will not seek to succeed her in the House
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Christine Pelosi announces she’s running for office — but not for Nancy Pelosi’s House seat
Pelosi will seek the state Senate seat currently held by Scott Wiener. His term doesn't expire until 2028, but he is a top contender to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress in 2026.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:21 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Nancy Pelosi’s retirement brings to a close one of the most consequential chapters in California political history.

How will the state fare in Washington without its most influential champion?
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California prepares for life without Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi’s retirement signals the last in a series of Capitol Hill departures for powerful California politicians, leaving the state bereft of the influence it once enjoyed.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
The earliest Nancy Pelosi photo in the @sfchronicle.com archives is from 1972 and originally referred to her as "Mrs. Paul Pelosi" in the caption. A visual timeline of her legacy: www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...
November 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Who will replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress? @joegarofoli.bsky.social runs down the top contenders for San Francisco's congressional seat: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
These are the top contenders to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress
The race to succeed Pelosi could turn into a proxy for the bigger questions facing the Democratic Party.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
After four decades serving San Francisco in Congress, during which time she became the first female Speaker of the House, @nancypelosi69.bsky.social will retire at the end of this term
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Nancy Pelosi will retire after historic 20-term career in Congress
Her departure, along with the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein in late 2023, marks the end of a historic chapter for female political leadership in California.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Proposition 50 could ultimately take out more than half of California's remaining Republican House members. All have signaled they will run for re-election anyway, setting up at least one intraparty showdown between GOP incumbents: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
These are the 5 California Republicans at risk of losing their seats under Prop 50
While there is still a campaign left to run, more than half of the remaining GOP members in California’s House delegation are now in danger of losing their jobs.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:34 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
California’s overwhelming embrace of a liberal gerrymander on Tuesday night provided a jolt to the Democrats' lagging efforts in a national redistricting arms race and ramps up pressure on states such as Virginia, Illinois and Maryland to follow
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California’s Prop 50 was a stunning success. Will it fuel more blue state redistricting pushes?
In his victory speech Tuesday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom called on Virginia, Maryland, New York, Illinois and Colorado to follow California in the redistricting fight.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Alexei Koseff
sophiabollag.bsky.social
The evolution of Prop 50 — which went from a vague, half-baked idea to a resounding victory in less than four months — is a big win for Newsom as he sets his sights on life after the governor’s office www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Here’s just how big a victory Prop 50’s passage is for Newsom
The governor’s victory lap Tuesday represents a remarkable evolution for a campaign that began to take shape less than four months ago.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
House Speaker Mike Johnson calls Proposition 50’s win a tragedy but insists Republicans will defend their incumbents in redrawn seats.

“It was a sign of desperation by the Democrat Party,” he says, and blasts “Gavin Newsom’s immoral leadership.”
November 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
This seemed like a political fantasy four months ago: California voters approve redistricting plan that could net five more House seats for Democrats
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California Prop 50 passes in clear rebuke of Trump
The close of polls at 8 p.m. marked the culmination of a remarkably short election season launched by Gov. Gavin Newsom over the summer in response to Texas Republicans' gerrymandering.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 AM
akoseff.bsky.social
"I choose not just to stay in the Senate, I choose to stay in this fight — because the Constitution is worth fighting for, our fundamental rights are worth fighting," @padilla.senate.gov told reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Alex Padilla will not run for California governor
Alex Padilla, the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate, will not run for governor in 2026, he said Tuesday.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Even once the looming funding lapse for federal food assistance is resolved, hundreds of thousands of low-income Californians could still lose their benefits in the coming months because of changes to the program adopted this summer by Republican lawmakers www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
A massive hit to SNAP benefits is coming for California even after the shutdown ends
Even after the funding lapse for federal food assistance is resolved, hundreds of thousands of low-income Californians and millions of Americans could still lose their benefits in the coming months.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Shasta County is experiencing its first election under its new registrar of voters, a longtime conspiracy theorist who has challenged election results for decades, @raheemfh.bsky.social reports
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
What happens when an election skeptic runs elections? In this California county, they’re finding out
Limiting voting options, promoting secessionists and hiring elections deniers — Clint Curtis is causing a stir as Shasta County’s new registrar.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:21 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
A fight for control of the National Guard that began in California has swelled into a nationwide battle over presidential authority, state sovereignty, the militarization of America and who gets to determine reality. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
At stake in the National Guard battle: States’ rights — and reality
As some judges challenge the Trump administration’s representation of conditions on the ground, the legal and political stakes of the debate are multiplying.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:40 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Days after @gavinnewsom.bsky.social threatened to withdraw from the National Governors Association, its Republican leader denounced Trump’s interstate National Guard deployments
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom urged governors to speak out against interstate troop deployments. A key Republican just did
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's comments follow threats by Govs. Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker to leave the National Governors Association.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Reposted by Alexei Koseff
sophiabollag.bsky.social
NEW: California National Guard troops sent to Chicago to help train soldiers from other states www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California National Guard troops sent to Chicago to help train soldiers from other states
Attorney General Rob Bonta says President Trump’s decision to send California troops to other states undermines his original rationale for federalizing the National Guard.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
As a case out of Colorado heads to the Supreme Court this week, conversation therapy is still thriving in California through religious ministries, @raheemfh.bsky.social reports www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Conversion therapy heads to the Supreme Court. Conversion ministries never left California
The state backed off its one and only attempt to prohibit ministries that purport to change LGBTQ youth through religious counseling.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
One of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature policy achievements, expanding a health insurance program for low-income Californians to include undocumented immigrants, has been pulled into the fight over the ongoing federal government shutdown. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
White House points the finger at immigrants — and California — for government shutdown
The Trump administration and Republicans are increasingly accusing Democrats of holding the country hostage to give benefits to undocumented immigrants.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
akoseff.bsky.social
Tens of thousands of federal workers in the Bay Area are furloughed or working without pay after the government shutdown began today. Many could end up losing their jobs in mass layoffs that the White House says will start by the end of this week.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
How the government shutdown is impacting tens of thousands of federal workers in the Bay Area
As many as 90,000 civilian federal workers live in the Bay Area, according to a Chronicle analysis of Congressional Research Service data.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:24 PM