| | | | |  | | By Sarah Grace Taylor | BUT WHO’S COUNTING: In a race that just keeps getting weirder, a Silicon Valley voter who called for a recount in California’s tied House primary election once worked for the only candidate with a secure spot. The filing says it was made on behalf of candidate Evan Low, one of the two Democratic candidates locked in a 30,249-vote tie for second place — who, until this week, was heading to a three-way race in November. But Low vehemently opposes the recount — and the request came from a former staffer for ex-San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, who advanced to the November general election weeks ago after finishing in first place. Voter Jonathan Padilla, who agreed to pay more than $300,000 for the recount, worked for Liccardo’s 2014 mayoral campaign and as a policy director for the City of San Jose in 2015 and 2016 while Liccardo was mayor. He also donated $1,000 to Liccardo’s campaign in December. A spokesperson for Liccardo’s campaign denies working with Padilla or funding the recount. Low’s campaign isn’t convinced. “There’s zero doubt that Sam Liccardo orchestrated this recount and Padilla’s declaration that the recount is on our campaign's behalf is simply disingenuous. Clearly Sam Liccardo doesn’t think he can win a three-way race because he’s showing he will do anything to avoid one,” spokesperson Whitney Larsen told Playbook Wednesday on behalf of Low, bemoaning the “expensive and time consuming” recount.
|  Assemblymember Evan Low | AP/Rich Pedroncelli | The backstory: Last week, county elections officials announced that Assemblymember Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian had landed in an extremely rare draw for second place in the March 5 top-two primary to succeed outgoing Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo. Both Simitian and Low seemed content to head into a three-way general election — the protocol for ties — but are now facing an imminent recount because of Padilla’s request. In his request, Padilla wrote that he is “not coordinating or communicating with any candidate or candidates' agents,” but that he was making “this request on behalf of Evan Low.” Low’s campaign denies any association with Padilla and says it opposes a recount. According to Santa Clara officials, Low’s representatives even called to see if there was any recourse, but were told the only way to stop the recount is if Padilla rescinds his request or fails to pay for it before it’s set to begin at 8 a.m. Monday. Simitian’s campaign declined to comment. Padilla and his attorney have not responded to requests for comment, but in a post on X, Padilla rebuffed comments from Low’s campaign. “Why other Democrats don’t believe in counting votes and ensuring that the will of the people is transparently reflected confuses me,” Padilla wrote. Liccardo's camp says he's in a strong position regardless of the number of opponents. A poll funded by the Liccardo campaign and obtained by Playbook shows Liccardo still has a modest lead with 26 percent, followed by Low with 21 percent, Simitian with 20 percent and 24 percent undecided. IT’S WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to sgtaylor@politico.com. | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | |  | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY | | | 
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California President and CEO Jodi Hicks | Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo | NOT TRUSTING TRUMP: Abortion is back in the news in a big way this week, which gives new resonance to one of the biggest questions underlying Democrats’ 2024 strategy: Is a campaign message about abortion compelling in blue states like California, where protections have only increased since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision? Democrats here tried to capitalize on the issue in 2022, easily passing an initiative to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state’s constitution. But they still came up short in key congressional races, which ended up being decisive in handing House control to the GOP. This year, Democrats’ hopes of retaking the House almost certainly hinges on winning some of those California seats. POLITICO spoke to Jodi Hicks, president of Planned Parenthood California, on the lessons learned from that fight and what this busy week of abortion news — former President Donald Trump appearing to side against a national ban and the Arizona Supreme Court upholding a 1864 state law imposing a near total ban — means for the abortion rights movement. Read Melanie Mason’s interview with Hicks.
| | ON THE BEATS | |
RIP WFH: Gov. Gavin Newsom will require state employees to return to office at least two days per week starting in June, the most sweeping in-person work requirement in California since the start of the pandemic four years ago.
The state’s 150 agencies, departments and offices have been allowed to set their own remote work policies for the state’s 240,000 workers, but have not met expectations, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO. Read more from Wes Venteicher. ARTIFICIAL ELECTIONS: Democrats who warn democracy’s at stake in 2024 aren’t just worried about the return of Trump: They’re wary of deepfakes, robocalls and similar chicanery generated by artificial intelligence. An Assembly Elections Committee hearing today was dominated by bills seeking to limit the damage. “In this challenging landscape, we confront our first AI election,” said Chair Gail Pellerin, who saw the committee pass her measure restricting "materially deceptive” communication. “AI is changing rapidly and we need an army to ensure it does not destroy our democracy.” The committee advanced multiple bills to disclose when GenAI is used in political content — the difference, Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo said in presenting her bill, between “airbrushing a pimple” and creating “fake individuals.” Assemblymember Marc Berman’s bill requiring platforms to label and, in some cases, block AI-generated content around election time faced the fiercest pushback, with tech industry foes arguing it was burdensome and unworkable. — Jeremy B. White | | | | GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE. | | | | | | | WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY | |
MONEYBALL: Shohei Ohtani will avoid paying an estimated $90 million in California state income taxes as a result of deferring nearly all of his record-setting $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now lawmakers want to close the loophole. (The Athletic)
BIGGEST LOSER: Health care giant Kaiser Permanente is facing new allegations that patients are improperly losing mental health care, months after a sweeping agreement with state regulators to improve its mental health services. (Los Angeles Times) ANOTHER CA VP: Today Cornel West named UCLA professor and Black Lives Matter activist Melina Abdullah his running mate for president. (POLITICO) | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
