Fiona Ma clears political hurdle ahead of 2026 race

Aug 30, 2024

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California State Treasurer Fiona Ma (right) and her attorney Ognian Gavrilov in Sacramento, California.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma (right) and her attorney Ognian Gavrilov. | POLITICO

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THE BUZZ: There’s no election yet, but Fiona Ma is already notching a win.

That’s because a former employee who accused the state treasurer of sexual harassment is today set to drop the complaint against her and settle other claims, ending a three-year civil court case that had become a political albatross for Ma as she eyes a 2026 bid for lieutenant governor.

“This is a complete victory for the treasurer,” Ma’s attorney Ognian Gavrilov said in a statement.

A lawyer for the former employee said in a statement that she is “pleased to have reached an amicable resolution of her case, and is looking forward to moving on with her life.”

Ma, in an interview with Playbook, called the case a distraction and a “cloud over [her] head” for the last several years. The treasurer won reelection in 2022 in spite of the allegations — which did cost her some editorial page endorsements that year — but a drawn-out case had the potential to mar her campaign as she entered a crowded field for the second-top job in the state. The plaintiff’s expected move comes just weeks before a scheduled trial was set to begin.

“I think people who know me, they know my reputation, they've been following me, they know that I'm serious about my job,” Ma said. “And they also knew I vowed to have my day in court for a jury trial to clear my name.”

We’re still 18 months away from the filing deadline for the next lieutenant governor race, but already the campaigns are starting to take shape. Ma, who got started in the meat grinder that is San Francisco city politics, served in the state Assembly for nearly a decade before becoming the chief banker for the world’s fifth-largest economy.

California’s lieutenant governors have little power, but the position is often seen as a stepping stone to higher office. Gov. Gavin Newsom held the job for eight years before his election to the governor’s office, and current Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis is a frontrunner in the already competitive race to succeed him in 2026.

Los Angeles-area state Sen. Steve Bradford has also declared his candidacy for LG. The termed-out Democrat has long been an outspoken critic of the criminal justice system, and this year has been a leading champion of reparations bills in the Capitol.

Sausalito City Councilmember Janelle Kellman is also running, along with former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, who is hoping to make a political comeback with a set of progressive priorities.

There’s no public polling on the candidates yet, but Ma has far and away raised the most money — hauling enough to put her warchest at $4 million so far this year.

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WHERE’S GAVIN? In Oakland to celebrate the launch of a first-in-the-nation hydrogen hub. He will be accompanied by Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Sen. Alex Padilla.

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STATE CAPITOL

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel looks over his notes in the Assembly.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel handed out trinkets inspired by Taylor Swift. | Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo

FLOOR DISPATCH: JESSE’S VERSION — We already know the assembly budget committee staff is full of Swifties, but Chair Jesse Gabriel made it official Thursday by wearing and handing out Eras Tour-style friendship bracelets during session. Bracelet-making has been a feature of his community events lately, and staff sent him to the floor equipped with a bag of jewelry bearing his bill numbers.

Our favorite? The one that says “see you at Ella,” referencing the restaurant popular with lawmakers near the Capitol. Guess we know where to find him after adjournment!

The state Senate also looked like a scene straight out of a Taylor Swift concert on Thursday, with members decked out in sequins and glitter as part of their end-of-session celebrations.

AFTER THE BUZZER — State Sen. Scott Wiener wants to make sure that everyone in Sacramento, cough Gov. Gavin Newsom, knows that the razor-thin Assembly floor vote Wednesday to pass his landmark legislation to regulate artificial intelligence wasn’t, well, that much of a squeaker after all.

Although the bill narrowly cleared 41-9 when the roll was initially closed, the Assembly allows members to “add on” floor votes after the fact thanks to a little-known rule.

The final Assembly vote count on Wiener’s Senate Bill 1047 was actually 48-16 (with 15 lawmakers not voting). Seven members cast “aye” votes on the bill after the fact: David Alvarez, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Isaac Bryan, Lisa Calderon, Brian Maienschein, Tina McKinnor and Buffy Wicks.

It’s not uncommon for Assembly members to wait to vote for contested bills until they’ve passed, or to remove their votes from measures after they fail — late actions that ensure they’re on the right side of tough votes.

Wiener took to X on Thursday morning to correct the record, stressing for reporters that the final, 48-vote tally was a “strong showing on a bill opposed by Big Tech.” And we get it, senator: What team that has the option to count points after the buzzer wouldn’t take it?

There’s also good reason for Wiener to emphasize support for his bill. The measure now heads to Newsom’s desk, and the governor, a frequent Silicon Valley ally, has signaled he’s hesitant to regulate AI.

Follow ongoing storylines on how the election will shape policy debates beyond 2024. Our nonpartisan insights prepared our subscribers to navigate a changed political landscape. Learn more about POLITICO Pro.

CAMPAIGN YEAR

Dave Min listens as lawmakers discuss a bill before the Senate at the California state Capitol.

A group supportive of Dave Min is facing criticism for an ad featuring police. | Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo

COP CRED — Democratic state Sen. Dave Min has been touting his endorsements from law enforcement in his fiercely competitive OC House race. An allied group was perhaps a bit overzealous in carrying that message.

Irvine City Manager Oliver Chi wrote a letter to the Min campaign last week over a television and print ad that featured the city’s police chief thanking Min for supporting the police department.

“Unfortunately, the context for Chief Kent’s statements is not included in the print flyer or the campaign video, and that has caused confusion among the public,” Chi wrote in the letter, obtained by Playbook.

“Since your release of the campaign materials, Chief Kent and other Irvine officials and employees have received multiple communications – from local residents, from law enforcement personnel, and from other Police Chiefs – asking whether Chief Kent’s statement is an endorsement of your candidacy for Congress. The answer to that question is ‘no.’”

One problem: the ads weren’t created by Min’s campaign. They were the product of Giffords PAC, a pro-gun safety group. Melissa Haley, communications director for the city, confirmed the letter’s authenticity and said that Chi did not follow up with a similar note to Giffords. A spokesperson for the PAC said the television ad buy has run its course, so it is no longer airing. — Melanie Mason

SHIFT LEFT — Meanwhile, in another hotly-contested Orange County House race, the nonpartisan campaign analysts at Inside Elections see an ever-so-slightly better outlook for Democrats in California’s 45th district, currently held by GOP Rep. Michelle Steel. The almanac changed its rating of the race from “lean Republican” to “tilt Republican” — a shift in the Democratic candidate Derek Tran’s direction.

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SACTOWN

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: HIRING SPREE — Dan Seeman, a longtime lobbyist at the state Capitol and former Newsom adviser, has joined the powerhouse public affairs firm Actum as a partner — the latest in a string of big hires.

Seeman most recently served as Newsom’s deputy Cabinet secretary, advising the governor on criminal justice issues, and was previously deputy legislative secretary to former Gov. Jerry Brown.

Actum also announced the hire of Steve Burns, a veteran Sacramento consultant and former Chevron executive, as managing director. The new hires come just weeks after former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa left Actum to launch his 2026 campaign for governor.

The firm has been on a hiring spree in recent months. Earlier this year, Actum hired former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez. It also employs former Sen. Barbara Boxer and Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s former chief of staff and Cabinet member.

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ON THE AGENDA

FLOOR SESH — The Assembly and the Senate convene at 10 a.m. for the second-to-last day of a bill-passing bonanza. We’re expecting lawmakers to come back on Saturday for some last-minute votes before the deadline.

CLIMATE AND ENERGY

END OF SESSION GAS — Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to address California's gas price spikes — and state Republicans are trying to tie him to Kamala Harris. Read more on the skirmish in last night's California Climate.

Top Talkers

NOT GOD’S JOB — Christian leaders in California are pushing back against former President Donald Trump’s claims that he would win the state in November “if Jesus Christ came down and was the vote counter.” A Berkeley minister told the San Francisco Chronicle that Trump’s statement, made this week to TV personality “Dr. Phil” McGraw, runs counter to ideals preached by Jesus.

“Jesus doesn’t pick despots,” the minister said. “He doesn’t even pick democratically elected officials.”

POLL POSITION — A new poll from Fox News shows Vice President Kamala Harris gaining on Trump in Sun Belt swing states, POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier reports. Fox’s numbers showed Harris up by one point in Arizona, two points in Nevada and behind by one point in North Carolina. Previous Fox surveys showed President Joe Biden trailing Trump by 5 points or more in each state.

AROUND THE STATE

— California is finally sharing details about alleged misconduct committed by police officers booted out of the profession. (San Francisco Chronicle)

— San Francisco Mayor London Breed has pulled her support for a ballot measure that would expand mayoral power and reduce the number of city commissions. (San Francisco Examiner)

— San Diego County is seeking a temporary restraining order against an ex-county employee who allegedly harassed election workers and accused them of voter fraud.

PLAYBOOKERS

SPOTTED: TWINNING — State Sens. Susan Rubio and Monique Limón were spotted earlier this week sporting the same Wonder Woman blazers on the floor of the Senate as part of lawmakers’ end-of-session spirit festivities. Rubio tweeted that she was “honored to be twinning” with her colleague.

PEOPLE MOVES — Katie Talbot has been appointed deputy director of public affairs at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. She was previously comms director for former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Talbot, a former journalist herself, was widely viewed within the press corps as being helpful to make the speaker accessible.

— Stacey Reardon has joined the firm Change Craft LLC as senior director of strategy. She previously worked at Rescue Agency as associate director of policy strategy.

— Sarah Peck has been promoted to VP for communications at GoFundMe.

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