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<\/p>\nBy Bo Tefu | California Black Media\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Republican Kevin Lincoln Launches Campaign for U.S. Congress\u00a0<\/p>\n
Former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln announced Nov. 6 that he will run for Congress in California\u2019s newly redrawn 13th District, setting up a high-profile contest with incumbent Democratic Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA-13).<\/p>\n
Lincoln, a Republican and former U.S. Marine, previously ran for Congress in 2024, losing to Democrat Josh Harder in California\u2019s 9th District by 51.8% to 48.2%. He served as Stockton\u2019s mayor from 2021-2025 and has described his political work as a \u201ccall to service,\u201d portraying himself as a \u201cbridge builder\u201d prepared to extend that approach to Washington.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a Marine and former mayor, I\u2019ve always dedicated my life to serving others,\u201d Lincoln said in a statement. \u201cI\u2019m running for Congress to defend our families, fight for our farmers, and restore faith in the American Dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 13th District was reshaped under Proposition 50, which expands the boundaries south from Stockton\u2019s downtown to include parts of Stanislaus, Merced, and Fresno counties. The district now leans Democratic by roughly 15 percentage points \u2014 although Gray won the 2024 race by fewer than one percentage point, making it one of California\u2019s closest House contests.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) responded to Lincoln\u2019s announcement with criticism of his record as mayor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKevin Lincoln can run for Congress wherever he wants, but he can\u2019t run from his record of skyrocketing housing and utility costs, rampant crime, and taxpayer-funded perks for himself,\u201d said DCCC spokesperson Anna Elsasser.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam Gray wins tough races because he knows every inch of the Valley, shows up, and delivers. That\u2019s why he\u2019ll win again next November,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lincoln\u2019s tenure as mayor drew criticism for rising crime rates, mismanagement of law enforcement, higher housing and utility costs, and city spending on arena upgrades and office renovations. He has also faced scrutiny for anti-choice positions and for celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade without clarifying his stance on abortion access for military service members.<\/p>\n
State Republicans have filed a lawsuit in federal court to block the new congressional maps, arguing they give Democrats an unfair advantage. A separate ballot initiative aims to limit use of the new maps to one election cycle if it qualifies for the 2026 ballot.<\/p>\n
California Elected Officials Respond to Nancy Pelosi\u2019s Decision to Not Seek Reelection\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi\u2019s announcement last week that she will retire from Congress at the end of her term has prompted tributes from California lawmakers who hailed her as a trailblazer, moral force and skilled political negotiator in American politics.<\/p>\n
Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif,), praised Pelosi\u2019s nearly 40-year tenure representing San Francisco in Congress, highlighting her record of defending democracy, advancing women\u2019s rights, and shaping national policy.<\/p>\n
Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, announced she will step down at the close of her current term, ending a career marked by historic legislative achievements such as the Affordable Care Act and major infrastructure investments.<\/p>\n
\u201cNancy Pelosi has never been a politician of convenience,\u201d Simon said in a statement. \u201cFor four decades, she has stood in the storm, defending democracy, women, children, queer people, and working families with a kind of courage that cannot be taught.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simon said Pelosi\u2019s decision \u201cdoes not mark her exit; it marks a new type of presence,\u201d noting that her leadership and mentorship will continue to shape new members of Congress.<\/p>\n
Padilla called Pelosi \u201ca torchbearer of Democratic and California values,\u201d crediting her for breaking barriers as the first female speaker and for standing \u201cas our nation\u2019s chief defender against Donald Trump\u2019s attacks on our democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that she was a consistent champion for LGBTQ+ rights and a steady voice through \u201cour country\u2019s greatest triumphs and biggest tests.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco since 1987, is among the most powerful and influential Democrats in U.S. history. Her leadership defined much of the party\u2019s agenda for decades and solidified California\u2019s influence in national politics.<\/p>\n
Attorney Gen. Bonta Says He\u2019s Worried About Midterm Election Security<\/p>\n
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Nov. 6 that he is concerned President Donald Trump could use federal power to interfere with the 2026 midterm elections, citing a \u201cdisturbing pattern\u201d of attempts to undermine state election procedures and voter confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m wary about this president, and he\u2019s earned it. He\u2019s earned the distrust on this issue. He has tried to interfere with elections in the past,\u201d Bonta said in an interview, referencing Trump\u2019s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.<\/p>\n
Bonta said the state monitored Justice Department election observers during the recent vote on Proposition 50, a first in California history, to ensure federal officials did not improperly influence the outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in unprecedented territory with this administration,\u201d Bonta said. \u201cTrump hates California. Trump is targeting California.\u201d<\/p>\n
The attorney general also highlighted concerns about potential misuse of the National Guard or the U.S. Postal Service to influence California elections, as well as attempts to access voter lists that could be used for voter suppression.<\/p>\n
A White House spokesperson accused Bonta of \u201cfearmongering to excite a radical leftwing base,\u201d claiming that California\u2019s mail-in voting and local voting policies create risks of fraud. The Justice Department defended its monitors, saying they are trained professionals protected by federal law.<\/p>\n
Bonta said he expects support from fellow Democratic attorneys general, including Virginia Attorney General-elect Jay Jones, who he said will join a coalition to resist potential interference by the Trump administration.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolitical violence has no place in our discourse and in our democracy,\u201d Bonta said, referencing controversial messages sent by Jones in previous years. \u201cHe\u2019s part of the Democratic attorneys general now, and I think he is ready, willing, able, to join the fight and add a lot of value to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonta emphasized that California\u2019s elections are secure, accurate, and reliable. He pledged that the state is using every legal tool to protect election integrity and ensure voter confidence in the electoral process remains strong.<\/p>\n
FBI: Criminals Are Impersonating ICE Agents to Commit Crimes\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The FBI is warning that criminals are increasingly posing as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to carry out violent crimes. The bureau is also urging law enforcement agencies to ensure officers properly identify themselves during operations.<\/p>\n
In an Oct. 17 bulletin, obtained through a public records request, the bureau cited cases in New York, Florida, and North Carolina in which perpetrators used ICE-branded clothing or claimed to be ICE officers to intimidate victims. Reported crimes include robberies, kidnappings, sexual assaults, and other violent acts.<\/p>\n
\u201cCriminal actors are using ICE\u2019s enhanced public profile and media coverage to their advantage to target vulnerable communities and commit criminal activity,\u201d said the FBI.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese criminal impersonations make it difficult for the community to distinguish between legitimate officers conducting lawful law enforcement action and imposters engaging in criminal activity, which damages trust between the local community and law enforcement officers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some examples highlighted in the bulletin include: in August, three men in New York robbed a restaurant, tying up staff who initially complied because the suspects identified themselves as ICE agents; in April in Florida, a woman was kidnapped after agreeing to leave with someone impersonating an ICE officer; in February in Brooklyn, a woman was assaulted by a man who posed as an ICE officer; and in January in North Carolina, a man posing as an ICE officer sexually assaulted a woman, threatening deportation.<\/p>\n
The FBI is urging law enforcement to \u201cclearly identify themselves during operations and cooperate with individuals who request further verification, such as calling their local precinct to verify the officer\u2019s identity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Critics have argued that the anonymity provided by masks and the lack of insignia in some ICE operations not only enable impersonation crimes but also shield officers engaging in misconduct. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, introduced legislation earlier this year to require officers to display identifying insignia and prohibit masks during operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you uphold the peace of a democratic society, you should not be anonymous,\u201d said Espaillat, emphasizing that masked ICE officers create confusion and fear in communities, particularly among immigrants.<\/p>\n
Former ICE director Tom Homan has expressed mixed views on officers wearing masks, acknowledging that anonymity can sometimes protect officers\u2019 safety but noting the practice is controversial.<\/p>\n
Gov. Newsom Proclaims November Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Awareness Month\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed November 2025 as \u201cAlzheimer\u2019s Disease Awareness Month,\u201d highlighting California\u2019s ongoing efforts to prevent, treat, and support those affected by the degenerative condition.<\/p>\n
In his proclamation, Newsom emphasized that California is taking steps to reduce Alzheimer\u2019s rates while addressing the growing number of residents living longer and at risk of dementia. The state is home to roughly 720,000 people living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, as well as their families, who often face financial, emotional, and caregiving challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose of us familiar with this progressive, degenerative disease with no cure know the toll it takes by erasing precious memories, reducing cognitive abilities, and draining financial resources and independence,\u201d Newsom stated in the proclamation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that Alzheimer\u2019s disproportionately affects women, who statistically live longer than men, and Black, Indigenous, Latino, and LGBTQ communities, due to persistent health and socioeconomic inequities.<\/p>\n
California has taken a leadership role in research, prevention, and care. The California Department of Public Health launched the state\u2019s Neurodegenerative Disease Registry on July 1, 2025, enabling health professionals to track the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer\u2019s and other neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Huntington\u2019s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).<\/p>\n
Additionally, Newsom highlighted initiatives under the Master Plan for Aging (MPA) that focus on meeting the needs of individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer\u2019s over the next two years. State-funded programs and partners include 10 university-led Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Centers, 33 Area Agencies on Aging, 11 Caregiver Resource Centers, 21 Regional Centers, and 28 Independent Living Centers. These organizations provide critical support for California\u2019s diverse family caregivers, who form the backbone of long-term care.<\/p>\n
The governor also recognized the work of the Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and Related Conditions Advisory Committee and Californians who contribute to research through the state\u2019s voluntary tax check-off program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis November, I ask all Californians to join me in recognizing Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Awareness Month, an opportunity to educate ourselves and offer our support to those living with the disease, and their caregivers,\u201d Newsom said in the proclamation issued Nov. 5.<\/p>\n
\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Bo Tefu | California Black Media\u00a0 Republican Kevin Lincoln Launches Campaign for U.S. Congress\u00a0 Former Stockton Mayor…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":51128,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[17419,32795,32796,912,12870,536,4514,457,32797,32394,8669,2794,121,123,122],"class_list":["post-51127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sacramento","tag-adam-gray","tag-anna-elsasser","tag-bo-tefu","tag-carousel","tag-cbm","tag-donald-trump","tag-federal-bureau-of-investigation","tag-gavin-newsom","tag-josh-harder","tag-kevin-lincoln","tag-nancy-pelosi","tag-rob-bonta","tag-sacramento","tag-sacramento-headlines","tag-sacramento-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51127","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51127"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51127\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}