| | | | |  | | By Lara Korte and Dustin Gardiner | | Presented by |  | | | |  George Whitesides is among the Democrats out today with new messaging criticizing Republican rivals. | Susan Montoya Bryan/AP Photo | THE BUZZ: FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — It’s clear Democrats are staking their pathway to the House on abortion. Today, they’re taking a new tack to try to appeal to women voters — dinging Republicans on the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. Campaigns for George Whitesides and Will Rollins today are blasting out new messaging criticizing California Republican Reps. Mike Garcia and Ken Calvert for voting against the landmark act in the past, which was signed by former President Bill Clinton on this day in 1994. The digital ads, which will run today, highlight the ongoing importance of gender issues and women’s rights in California’s swing seats, which could determine control of Congress. The law was the first comprehensive federal policy that sought to prevent violence against women and provide support for survivors. It received ongoing bipartisan support for nearly a decade, but in 2013 and 2019 ran up against resistance from Republicans, who took issue with Democratic additions related to LGBTQ rights and gun restrictions for abusers. In the new digital ad, Whitesides’ campaign knocks Garcia for claiming in a recent TV spot that he “co-sponsored” the Violence Against Women Act. Garcia voted against reauthorizing the act in 2021 after Democrats added new provisions, instead supporting an alternative GOP stop-gap measure to renew the law for one year that ultimately failed to move forward, according to the Los Angeles Times. The version he did not support was later signed into law and is in effect today. “The Violence Against Women Act is a tremendously important part of our protective fabric for women that we should be celebrating,” Whitesides told Playbook. “And to use that moment of celebration in a way to mislead your constituents seems pretty bad.” Garcia’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment on his claims about the act. Rollins in CA-41, which includes parts of Palm Springs, is also running a digital ad knocking Calvert for voting against the original act in 1994, and then against reauthorization in 2019 and 2021. Democratic state Sen. Dave Min, who is running for Rep. Katie Porter’s open seat in Orange County, is also seizing on the chance to once again tie Republican Scott Baugh to comments made by JD Vance at a Christian high school in 2021. Vance at the time suggested divorce was not the solution to unhappy marriages, even those that involved violence. Baugh, a trustee of the high school that invited him to speak, told Playbook last month: “Domestic violence is never acceptable, in any circumstance. I stand by victims of domestic violence and, frankly, all crime.” In light of the VAWA anniversary, the Min campaign is reupping an ad it debuted last month featuring Min’s wife Jane Stoever, director of UC Irvine’s Domestic Violence Law Clinic, somberly describing the terrors faced by victims of domestic violence and decrying Baugh for supporting the VP pick. “It’s important that Californians see for themselves just how far these House Republicans are willing to go to dismantle protections for victims and survivors of domestic violence, demolish women’s fundamental freedoms, and deceive their own neighbors about it on the campaign trail,” said Dan Gottlieb, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. GOOD MORNING. Happy Friday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. You can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on X — @DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.
| | | | A message from Uber: What Happens When You Need Help During an Uber Ride?
Uber’s RideCheck feature checks in when something may be wrong. Using GPS and sensors, it detects possible issues like crashes or long stops. Both riders and drivers receive notifications to confirm safety or take action, such as using the emergency button. This ensures immediate assistance and peace of mind on every trip, making Uber’s app a vital tool for enhancing travel safety. Learn More. | | | |  | SAN FRANCISCO | | |  Christine Pelosi was a key figure at a press conference with San Francisco firefighters. | Adele Gilani, courtesy of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 | SMOKE SIGNALS — Christine Pelosi, the daughter of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was front and center — literally — at a press conference Thursday as the city’s firefighter union launched their campaign in support of a pension ballot measure. Ostensibly, Christine was there as a stand-in for her mother, who has endorsed the measure. But city insiders are buzzing about the optics of the move. It was the latest in a series of tea leaves that suggest the younger Pelosi could be preparing to run for the city’s coveted congressional seat when her mother retires — setting the stage for a fierce contest with state Sen. Scott Wiener, who’s long eyed the seat. The ballot measure, which aims to lower the retirement age at which firefighters can receive a full pension, has been endorsed by both Nancy Pelosi and Wiener. Christine Pelosi, a party organizer and attorney, was the most prominently-featured dignitary in photos and a video the firefighters circulated after Thursday’s event held at the firefighters’ union hall. The photos show Christine standing next to the podium, in front of a vintage red fire engine. Wiener’s team, meanwhile, said he had another event on the calendar. "We're glad to see the speaker emerita support this important measure,” Erik Mebust, a spokesperson for Wiener’s campaign, told Playbook in a statement. “Senator Wiener previously endorsed the measure but was unable to attend today's event due to a longstanding scheduling conflict.”
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | FOR GOOD MEASURE | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: PROP 33 COMPLAINT — Opponents of Proposition 33, the rent control measure backed by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, are filing a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission today over a recently-released ad that features Vice President Kamala Harris. The ad, which we told you about last week, includes Harris’ voice speaking over clips of everyday people and footage of her on the campaign trail. It declares in the captions that she and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation are “fighting back” — cribbing heavily from a speech Harris made in Atlanta last month where she promised to “take on corporate landlords and cap unfair rent increases.” Opponents, led by the California Apartment Association, argued at the time that the ad insinuated Harris endorses Prop 33 — when her campaign confirmed she doesn’t — and called the spot a “bald-faced lie.” The Yes campaign ran with it anyway, airing it in Los Angeles markets this week with a disclaimer clarifying that the “use of Kamala Harris’ likeness and words does not imply endorsement.” But that didn’t appease the opposition, which argues in its complaint to the FEC that the campaign has violated federal law by making an “approximately $500,000 weekly in-kind contribution to Harris for President.” “They did so against Vice President Harris’ interests, exploiting her name, image, and campaign messages without her authorization to falsely suggest that the Vice President supports Proposition 33 when, in fact, Ms. Harris’ campaign has clearly stated that she does not support the ballot measure,” the complaint said. Michael Weinstein, head of the AHF who is leading the campaign, told Playbook that the complaint is “an act of desperation.” “We're not telling anyone to vote for her,” he said. “She is the vice president of the United States and she has come out for rent caps. All this back and forth doesn't change the fact that this is her position and the position of the president.”
| | | | A message from Uber: Is Uber's New Tech the Future of Transportation Safety?
Uber’s app has been steadily revolutionizing travel safety with a suite of advanced features. Riders can share their trips with trusted contacts, access safety agents, and reach 911 directly through the app, all designed to enhance security and peace of mind.
Central to this transformation is RideCheck. By leveraging GPS and sensor data, RideCheck can detect possible issues like crashes or long stops. When something unusual is detected, both riders and drivers receive notifications to confirm safety or take action. This proactive approach ensures immediate assistance when needed.
With these comprehensive safety measures and 24/7 support, Uber is setting a new standard in ridesharing, making every journey safer and more secure. Learn More. | | | | | CLIMATE AND ENERGY | | AI PARADOX — California utilities are hoping artificial intelligence can help them spot wildfires faster and manage the grid better — but they're also worrying it'll put more load on the grid than they can keep up with. Read more about the promises and perils of AI in last night's California Climate.
| | TOP TALKERS | | ONE AND DONE — Former President Donald Trump does not want a second debate against Harris, announcing Thursday on Truth Social that “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” And while pundits widely declared Harris the winner of Tuesday’s face-off while Trump cried foul about the moderators, the former president sees it differently: “When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are, “‘I WANT A REMATCH.’” NEW TRIAL, NEW CHARGES — Harvey Weinstein is facing additional sex crime charges ahead of a New York retrial in his landmark #MeToo case, the Associated Press reports. The charges could be unsealed as early as Sept. 18.
| | AROUND THE STATE | | — A San Francisco city official is on leave after her department granted multiple six-figure contracts to a nonprofit whose leader shares a home address with her. (San Francisco Standard) — Up to 10 Los Angeles schools could opt out of most standardized tests as soon as next fall. (Los Angeles Times) — Fresno State is joining the Pac-12 in 2026 as the ghost-town college football conference eyes a revival. (The Fresno bee)
| | | PLAYBOOKERS | | PEOPLE MOVES — Rowena M. Tomaneng has been selected as deputy chancellor of the California Community Colleges. She currently serves as president of San Jose City College. — Lara Shortz has been appointed managing partner in the Los Angeles office of the law firm Michelman & Robinson. She is also the firm’s employment advice, counsel and executive disputes chair. BIRTHDAYS — Landon Klein of the Future of Life Institute … state Democratic Party Executive Director Yvette Martinez … Maya Polon of Paschal Roth Public Affairs … Marie Lloyd at Amazon … Katerina Ioannides of Harris Victory Fund … R. Jacob Francisco, field rep for Assemblymember Lori Wilson …Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) … Danielle Burr … Amazon’s Suzanne Beall and Tina Pelkey … C.J. Jackson … Sanette Tanaka Sloan … BELATED B-DAY WISHES — (was Thursday): Henry Waxman … Emmy Rossum … Joe Lonsdale WANT A SHOUT-OUT FEATURED? — Send us a birthday, career move or another special occasion to include in POLITICO’s California Playbook. You can now submit a shout-out using this Google form. CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Rebecca Haase to find out how: rhaase@politico.com. | | | | 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 | | | | |
