Articles by Crystal Innabi

In August, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) held its annual National Geothermal Summit in Reno, Nevada. The event brought together energy companies, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the energy challenges facing the nation and the trade. Among those in attendance was California State Senator Ben Hueso (D-Logan Heights), author of Senate Bill 1139, a major focal point of the summit's debates. California and neighboring states are trying to attract Tesla’s plans to build a “Gi...

California Democrats are struggling to hold on to their supermajority in the State Assembly as the California GOP prepares to take back a number of seats in the lower chamber. One of the many races vital to the GOP's efforts to regain some ground in the legislature is Assembly District 36. Following the June 3 primary, Republican Tom Lackey led with 41.1 percent of the vote, while incumbent Steve Fox (D) finished in second with 32.8 percent. However, after the field of candidates was narrowed f...

Republican incumbent Anthony Cannella will defend his state Senate seat in November against Democrat Shawn Bagley. Yet party labels don't appear to matter much in California's 12th Senate District. Cannella has maintained a high approval rating despite the fact that 46 percent of the district's voters are registered Democrats. The twelfth district covers part of central California, including Merced, Monterey, and San Benito Counties. It is also home to a significant Latino population -- 45 perc...

“With Liberty and Justice for All” -- the phrase should be familiar. The idea is a recurring theme in our pledge, our constitution, and our judicial system. But do Americans truly feel they live in a nation that provides liberty and justice for all? A yearly poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports examines how Americans view their country. When asked if they agree with the closing line of the Pledge of Allegiance, 46 percent answered yes. However, when asked if they truly believe America is a natio...

Although deemed a strongly Democratic district, the race for Assembly District 57 is turning into a toss up. Following the June nonpartisan, top-two open primary, small business owner Rita Topalian (R) gained significant support with 52.2 percent of the vote. Her opponent, incumbent Assemblymember Ian Calderon (D), came in second with 47.8 percent. Does Calderon still have a fighting chance? If history is any indicator, the answer is definitely. In 2014, Calderon will have to face numerous obs...

On June 3, County Supervisor Jeff Stone (R) and businesswoman Bonnie Garcia (R) narrowly beat Glenn Miller (R) and Philip Drucker (D) for the top two spots in California's twenty-eighth state Senate district. Stone came in first with 21.9 percent, only 2 percentage points ahead of Garcia. Miller, who placed third, was short just 449 votes behind Garcia.Although both Stone and Garcia are Republicans, under California’s new nonpartisan primary system, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party ...

There is a shift in the types of candidates and campaigns that will win general elections in California and current contenders are not in a place where they can do what they may have done in previous elections. In 2014, as a result of California’s nonpartisan, top-two open primary system, Republicans are seeing tossups in areas of the state usually considered easy-wins for GOP candidates, while Democratic candidates have to re-strategize for intra-party campaigns. Under the new primary system,...

California’s primary system was initiated to curb the well-established partisanship in state politics. Following the 2012 elections, the first under the new primary, the state’s strong Democratic lean resulted in a super majority in the state Legislature for Democrats. Consequently, Republicans will need to rethink how to be competitive in a state with a voting population that is 45 percent Democratic and 20 percent No Party Preference. Yet, the current civil war plaguing the party may signific...

On Tuesday, Californians across the state will go to the polls to vote. It will be the second time Californians have voted in the state's nonpartisan, top-two open primary since it was passed by 53 percent of voters in 2010. In this system, the top two vote getters in the primary, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election to face off. So who are the California races to watch? Here is the breakdown: Statewide Races California Governor While Democratic incumbent Jerry ...