Updating . .   

California’s credit rating upgraded after Prop. 2 passage -- A day after voters passed Proposition 2, which creates a “rainy day fund” to cushion the state budget from future economic downturns, major credit-rating house Standard & Poor’s on Wednesday upgraded California’s general obligation bond rating. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/14

Honda's lead over Khanna narrows, with many ballots still uncounted -- Rep. Mike Honda held a substantial but narrowing lead over Democratic challenger Ro Khanna on Wednesday, with both campaigns sounding defiant as tens of thousands of vote-by-mail ballots remained uncounted. Josh Richman in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/5/14

Democrats pick up House seat in Inland Empire, 2 years behind schedule -- With a handful of key congressional races still too close to call Wednesday, Democrats can savor one victory, at least: Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar delivered an open Inland Empire seat into their hands. Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

GOP wave hits California — gently -- Though the final chapter is still unwritten on Election 2014, we know this much: Republicans took advantage of a traditional dip in midterm turnout and some big spending in targeted races to pick up enough legislative seats to end Democrats’ supermajorities in both houses. Anthony York Capitol Weekly -- 11/5/14

Ose leads Bera but many ballots left uncounted -- It could take days to determine a winner in the closely watched race for suburban Sacramento’s 7th Congressional District. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/14

No Senate supermajority for California Democrats, Assembly margin still in doubt -- Two years after California Democrats swept to commanding two-thirds majorities in both houses of the state Legislature, they were unable to again claim the same margin in the Senate and the Assembly remained in doubt with key races too close to call. Jeremy B. White in the Sacramento Bee$ Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ Judy Lin Associated Press Aaron Kinney in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/5/14

Republican Rob McCoy concedes Ventura County Assembly race -- Democrat Jacqui Irwin has won an Assembly seat in Ventura County, in a race that attracted a surge of independent spending. Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Marshall Tuck concedes to Tom Torlakson in state schools chief race -- Challenger Marshall Tuck conceded Wednesday morning to incumbent Tom Torlakson in the contest for California superintendent of public instruction, a race that became the most expensive on the state ballot. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Torlakson narrowly beats Tuck in California schools chief race; Democrats Yee, Padilla also win -- In a nonpartisan contest that has traditionally been sleepy, labor favorite Torlakson found himself throughout the campaign struggling to keep up in the polls with Marshall Tuck, a former charter school network operator and fellow Democrat backed by wealthy education reformers. Katy Murphy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/5/14

Money talks: Biggest spenders on CA ballot props won -- Doctors and insurance companies (and a few stray tech execs) wrote the biggest checks in support of — or opposition to — the state ballot measures, and for the most part, they were rewarded with victories. Of the top 20 spenders on California ballot campaigns this year only one — the California Nurses Association — spent money on a losing campaign. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Thousands of ballots remain uncounted in tight L.A. County races -- As the sun rose Wednesday on a late night of election-returns watching, thousands of ballots were still left to be counted in Los Angeles County, which could tilt some closely fought races. Emily Alpert Reyes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Republican Andy Vidak wins Central Valley state Senate seat -- Republican state Sen. Andy Vidak defeated Democratic challenger Luis Chavez on Tuesday in a Central Valley district seen as a key battleground as Democrats tried to regain a super-majority in the upper house. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

San Jose mayor's race: Sam Liccardo appears to have slim win -- Councilman Sam Liccardo was headed for a narrow victory over county Supervisor Dave Cortese in Tuesday's hotly-contested battle to become the next mayor of San Jose. Mike Rosenberg in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/5/14

Sheila Kuehl claims victory in L.A. County supervisor race -- With preliminary election results showing her far ahead, former state lawmaker Sheila Kuehl said her competitor in the race for Los Angeles County supervisor, Bobby Shriver, called Wednesday morning to concede the closely watched contest. Catherine Saillant, Ben Welsh, Emily Alpert Reyes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Libby Schaaf defeats Jean Quan, wins Oakland mayoral race in landslide -- Councilwoman Libby Schaaf romped to victory becoming Oakland's third mayor in the last five years. Jean Quan becomes the city's first incumbent to lose re-election in nearly a quarter-century. Matthew Artz in the Contra Costa Times$ -- 11/5/14

DeMaio, Peters race virtually tied -- With 144,100 votes counted so far, 752 separate congressional race. Mark Walker UT San Diego$ Tony Perry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Voters supporting Alameda County transportation tax -- The 30-year tax measure, nearly identical to one that narrowly failed in 2012, would extend an existing half-cent sales tax and tack on another half cent. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Cities in San Diego County reject medical marijuana dispensary measures -- While voters in Alaska, Oregon and Washington D.C. were approving pro-marijuana measures, residents in two San Diego County cities on Tuesday made a different decision. Tony Perry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

How Did Berkeley Pass A Soda Tax When Other Cities Failed? -- The city of Berkeley was basking in glory Wednesday over its passage of the nation’s first soda tax, an accomplishment that the beverage industry dismissed as just a whacky – and inconsequential – victory. Frances Dinkelspiel KQED -- 11/5/14

Musings on the state GOP, Congress, pot & Kansas -- California GOP: Tuesday’s results seem to be a vindication and victory for the “Brulte Doctrine,” spelled out by the state GOP chairman at his party’s convention in March: Don’t waste much effort trying to win unwinnable statewide races, but instead rebuild the party by “grinding it out on the ground” in local races – a strategy that will take several election cycles to bear larger fruit. Josh Richman Political Blotter -- 11/5/14

Quinn: First Take On The Election -- Unlike what happened in 2010, the great Republican tide of 2014 seems not to have stopped at the Sierras. While it will take awhile to get all the votes in, it looks like California Republicans may actually makes some gains in this election. Tony Quinn Fox & Hounds -- 11/5/14

Fox: The Democratic Wall in CA has Leaks -- The Republican election day tide which saw a gain of 7 senate seats, 13 House seats and 3 governorships across the nation banged into the Sierra Nevada wall that has often separated California metaphorically from the rest of the country with Democrats once again sweeping all the statewide offices. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 11/5/14

Democratic disaster casts shadow on Nancy Pelosi -- All but overlooked in the Republican Senate landslide is the double-digit loss of seats for Democrats in the House. The outcome casts a cloud on House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s future, potentially throwing the House out of reach for Democrats in 2016 and dashing Pelosi’s dream of serving as House speaker with a President Hillary Rodham Clinton. Carolyn Lochhead in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

National GOP Wave Almost Hits California -- Democrats Alex Padilla and Betty Yee won posts as Secretary of State and State Controller in highly unusual close races against moderate Republicans Pete Peterson and Ashley Swearingen, respectively. Jill Stewart LA Weekly -- 11/5/14

California election results defy national trends -- mostly -- The wave of Republican victories in Washington and state capitals across the nation turned into a small, but not insignificant, trickle by the time it hit the shores of California after Tuesday’s election. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Sandra Fluke, Feminist Made Famous by Rush Limbaugh, Loses Badly in Bid for State Senate -- It was a rough night for Democrats, and here in L.A., there's one more disappointment for national Democratic activists. Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown law student who rose to fame when Rush Limbaugh called her a slut, was trounced in her bid for California state senate. Gene Maddaus LA Weekly -- 11/5/14

Dress-wearing male Republican candidate hospitalized on election day -- Stephen Meade, the dress-wearing Republican candidate for Congress in southern San Diego County, was rushed to the hospital on election day and may undergo open-heart surgery. Tony Perry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Ex-Murrieta mayor, who resigned after alleged DUI crash, is reelected -- Alan Long, who resigned as mayor of Murrieta after being accused of a DUI crash that injured four high school cheerleaders, has been reelected. Veronica Rocha in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

It's on: Battle for soul of the GOP -- Now, the Republicans will have to live up to the expectations — and see if they can get on the same page. David Nather Politico -- 11/5/14

How the Democrats lost the Senate -- Tuesday provided a stunning end to a campaign that saw Democrats unable to cope with problems. Edward-Isaac Dovere, Manu Raju, John Bresnahan Politico -- 11/5/14

California Policy & Politics This Morning   

Torlakson wins superintendent race -- Tom Torlakson has won a second term as state superintendent of public instruction. The 65-year-old incumbent, a former veteran legislator, defeated Marshall Tuck, a former charter school executive who was little known outside of Los Angeles, 52.2 percent to 47.8 percent with 98 percent of precincts reporting. John Fensterwald EdSource Tom Chorneau Cabinet Report Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/14

Higher minimum wage wins with big support in San Francisco and Oakland -- San Francisco voters, keenly aware of the rising cost of living in one of the most expensive cities in the nation, voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. John Coté in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Voters defeat health insurance rate initiative -- California voters on Tuesday shot down a ballot initiative that sought to expand the state insurance commissioner's authority after health insurance companies poured millions of dollars into advertising to fight it. Amy Taxin Associated Press -- 11/5/14

California voters reject Propositions 45, 46, 48; pass 47 -- California voters soundly rejected two hotly contested propositions Tuesday night -- one that would have halted excessive health care insurance rates and another that would have raised the state's 39-year-old cap on medical malpractice damage awards. An Indian gaming proposal also failed. Tracy Seipel and Jessica Calefati in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/5/14

Proposition 1, a water bond measure, passes -- Proposition 1 has passed, AP reports. It authorizes state officials to borrow $7.12 billion and repurpose $425 million in bonds approved earlier to pay for new water projects. Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Californians OK Proposition 2, on rainy day fund -- A constitutional amendment with bipartisan support, the measure was placed on the ballot by the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown. Under the measure, state officials will be required to put aside at least 1.5% of the general fund every year. Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times$ John Fensterwald EdSource -- 11/5/14

Closely watched, expensive Bera-Ose race a dead heat -- Two years ago, Rep. Ami Bera didn’t learn he had won his suburban Sacramento swing seat until nine days after the election. This year, after facing a challenge from former GOP Rep. Doug Ose, Bera will have to wait some more before learning whether he’ll continue to represent the 7th Congressional District. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/14

Ami Bera, Doug Ose fight too close to call -- The race was among the tightest House contests in the country as Republicans battle to take back a seat they had lost two years earlier, when Bera defeated then-Rep. Dan Lungren in the 7th Congressional District, in the Sacramento suburbs. Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Brownley-Gorell congressional race too close to call -- Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) and Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) are running neck-and-neck in Ventura County. Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

DeMaio clings to lead over Peters -- With 144,100 votes counted so far, 752 separate congressional race. Mark Walker UT San Diego$ Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Democrat Ted Lieu to succeed Waxman in Congress, AP reports -- State Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) has beat gang prosecutor Elan S. Carr, a Beverly Hills Republican, in the race to succeed Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills), who is retiring after 40 years in Congress. Jean Lerl in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Republican Janet Nguyen wins O.C. Senate seat, AP says -- Republican Janet Nguyen was elected Tuesday to a state Senate seat in Orange County that had been targeted by both major parties. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva concedes in Orange County Assembly race -- Democratic Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva has fallen to a challenge from Republican Young Kim in one of the year’s most expensive Assembly races. Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times$ Thy Vo VoiceofOC.org -- 11/5/14

Catharine Baker clings to lead in East Bay Assembly race -- In one of California’s most hotly contested and expensive legislative races, Republican attorney Catharine Baker narrowly led Democratic Mayor Tim Sbranti of Dublin early Wednesday for an East Bay Assembly seat. in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Democrat Alex Padilla holding slim lead over Republican Pete Peterson for California secretary of state -- The race was too close to call Wednesday, as both Padilla and Republican Pete Peterson spent the early morning hours watching vote totals that were trending the Democrat's way. Justin Pritchard Associated Press -- 11/5/14

Democratic Assemblyman Steve Fox loses Palmdale seat, AP says -- Democratic Assemblyman Steve Fox has been defeated by GOP challenger Tom Lackey in a closely watched Palmdale-area Assembly race. Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Lopez: Hope for a GOP resurrection is alive and well in Pasadena -- The oldest Republican club in the United States rents a storefront on East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, next door to Resurrection Tattoo & Body Piercing. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Pan leads Dickinson in 6th Senate District -- In the hotly contested Democrat-on-Democrat fight to replace Sen. Darrell Steinberg in the state Senate, Assemblyman Richard Pan defeated Assemblyman Roger Dickinson Tuesday night. Pan had 53 percent to Dickinson’s 47 percent, with all Sacramento precincts reporting. Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/14

Voters in Berkeley pass tax on sugary drinks -- Voters in Berkeley became the first in the country to pass a tax on sodas and other sugary drinks, after similar measures were previously rejected in more than 30 other cities and states. Ellen Knickmeyer Associated Press -- 11/5/14

Results are mixed on soda tax and anti-fracking ballot measures -- In Northern California's San Benito County, a proposed ban on the oil extraction method known as fracking was approved by voters, but an anti-fracking measure in Santa Barbara County was defeated. Amanda Covarrubias in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Sheila Kuehl takes slim lead over Bobby Shriver in supervisor race -- Former state lawmaker Sheila Kuehl, whose election drive was buoyed by significant backing from public employee unions, took a slim lead Tuesday over former Santa Monica City Council member Bobby Shriver in a pivotal race for an open seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Catherine Sailant, Abby Sewell, Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Libby Schaaf takes lead in Oakland mayor’s race -- Oakland City Councilwoman Libby Schaaf took the lead in the Oakland mayor’s race, outpacing 14 other candidates Tuesday night in a ranked-choice vote contest that could take several days to sort out. Will Kane, Carolyn Jones and Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Sacramento’s strong-mayor measure defeated -- Measure L, the Sacramento ballot measure proposing to grant new powers to the mayor’s office, was defeated Tuesday night. With all precincts reporting, the measure trailed 57 percent to 43 percent. Ryan Lillis in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/14

Jerry Brown makes history, wins fourth term -- Forty years after vaulting onto the national stage as California’s young and quixotic new governor, Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. won an historic fourth term Tuesday as the seasoned elder who led the state’s recovery from near fiscal disaster, according to the Associated Press. Michael Finnegan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Walters: Jerry Brown’s fourth term still fuzzy -- Jerry Brown, a political wunderkind who morphed into California’s crusty elder statesman, entered the record books Tuesday by handily winning a fourth term as governor. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/14

Greenhut: State quiet as nation sends loud message -- California Election Day upholds status quo, but GOP makes inroads. Steven Greenhut UT San Diego$ -- 11/5/14

Dave Jones reelected California insurance commissioner, AP says -- California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has won a second term, AP reports. The Sacramento Democrat ran well ahead of Republican challenger Ted Gaines, a state senator from Rocklin. Marc Lifsher in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Democrat John Chiang elected California treasurer, AP reports -- Democrat John Chiang has won the contest for California treasurer, defeating Republican Greg Conlon. Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Democrat Newsom re-elected lieutenant governor -- Democrat Gavin Newsom defeated a lesser-known Republican Tuesday to coast to a second term as California's lieutenant governor, a low-profile post that has little actual power. Gillian Flaccus Associated Press -- 11/5/14

San Francisco’s Chiu ahead of Campos in state Assembly race -- San Francisco Supervisor David Chiu held a narrow lead over Supervisor David Campos in their race for a state Assembly seat with most votes counted Tuesday night in the bruising, yearlong battle between the two liberal Democrats. Marisa Lagos in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Five Takeaways From Election Day In California -- It was, as one political observer called it, the “meh election” in California — a mismatch in the state’s marquee race, a nasty and largely confusing fight over health care initiatives, and an electorate both a little gloomy about the future … but mostly unwilling to cast a vote for change. John Myers KQED -- 11/5/14

Transportation measures in San Francisco, Alameda County win support -- Voters in San Francisco and Alameda County appeared willing Tuesday to put their money where their commutes are by backing ballot measures to raise billions for transportation improvements that put an emphasis on transit, bicycles and pedestrians. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

L.A. County parks tax and Santa Monica airport Measure D in jeopardy -- A tax to raise money for Los Angeles County parks and a measure to keep Santa Monica airport open were in jeopardy in election returns Tuesday night, while the results for a proposition to control development in Malibu were too close to call. Dan Weikel in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

McDonnell claims victory in L.A. County sheriff's race -- Jim McDonnell gave a victory speech to his supporters Tuesday night, with early returns showing him ahead of Paul Tanaka in the race for Los Angeles County sheriff by a margin of 75% to 25%. Cindy Chang in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Ed Lee expected to announce re-election run -- With Tuesday’s election in the rearview mirror, look for San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee to announce that he’ll seek re-election — setting the stage for next year’s political battle royal. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Bay Bridge tower’s water-exposure problems worsen -- More than one-fourth of the 400-plus steel rods anchoring the tower of the new Bay Bridge eastern span have gaps in protective grout, and many are feared to be flooded by potentially corrosive water, officials said Tuesday. Jaxon Van Derbeken in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Education

Cal State 'success fees' draw growing criticism -- Undergraduates in the California State University system already pay historically high tuitions: an average of $5,472 a year not including books, room and board. Carla Rivera in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Parents seeking preschool slots start early -- Miranda Pan, who runs a daycare and preschool offering a Mandarin immersion program, said signing up for preschool in San Francisco can be as intense as applying for college. Lisa Fine EdSource -- 11/5/14

Drought  

In California, water use is all over the map -- In posh parts of northern San Diego County, residents on average used more than 580 gallons of water a day in September. During the same month, Angelenos in less-affluent East L.A. used an average of 48 gallons a day, according to data that state water officials released Tuesday, which shows for the first time just how dramatically water use varies among California communities. Matt Stevens in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

San Francisco residents praised for using least water in state -- San Francisco consumes less water per person than any community in California, a new state survey shows — a behavior that stands up as exemplary during the prolonged and damaging drought, water experts say. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/5/14

Environment

'Dead' Solar Plant May Rise From Grave -- A controversial solar power tower project proposed for Riverside County that was recently pulled by its owners from consideration by the state of California will be brought back to the table by one of those owners, it was announced Tuesday. Chris Clarke KCET Rewire -- 11/5/14

Asian citrus psyllid proposal worries organic farmers -- To combat pests like the Asian citrus psyllid, exotic fruit fly and glassy-winged sharpshooter that threaten the state's food supply, the California Department of Food and Agriculture is weighing a new plan that some organic farmers say doesn't do enough to prevent their crops from being ruined by pesticides. David Pierson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

Also . . .

Oregon voters legalize recreational marijuana -- Oregon voters legalized recreational pot use Tuesday, making the state the third to approve the drug for commercial sales. Nigel Duara Associated Press -- 11/5/14

LAPD moves one step closer to on-body cameras for officers -- After months of testing, Los Angeles police officials have picked the company they would like to use to outfit hundreds of officers with on-body cameras. Kate Mather in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/14

POTUS 44    

No Obama pivot after midterms -- Voters demanded change from Washington on Tuesday, and Republicans say it’s now up to President Barack Obama to deliver it. But don’t count on that happening. Carrie Budoff Brown Politico -- 11/5/14

Beltway

Battle for the Senate: How the GOP did it -- One night in early September, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called a longtime colleague, Sen. Pat Roberts, from his living room in Louisville, furious about the 78-year-old Republican’s fumbling and lethargic reelection campaign. Philip Rucker, Robert Costa in the Washington Post$ -- 11/5/14

After drubbing, all eyes on Hillary Clinton -- For the Democratic Party, Tuesday night was brutal. For Hillary Clinton’s future, however, there were many silver linings. Maggie Haberman Politico -- 11/5/14

Big win for conservative big money -- Conservatives tweaked their playbook to spend bigger and earlier to define Democratic candidates. Kenneth P. Vogel Politico -- 11/5/14