IT ALL CAME OUT' — Gavin Newsom Blows Up After Being Exposed Live On Air
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — June 21, 2026
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has drawn renewed scrutiny over his use of behested payments, a practice in which elected officials solicit donations from corporations, wealthy individuals, and organizations to support specific causes or charities.
State disclosure records show that Newsom has reported more than $347 million in such payments since 2011. That figure represents more than 62 percent of all behested payments reported by California elected officials over the past 15 years, according to data from the California Fair Political Practices Commission. By comparison, former Gov. Jerry Brown solicited roughly $35 million in behested payments during his time in office.
Behested payments are legal under California law, but critics have long argued that the practice creates opportunities for influence peddling by allowing officials to direct money from interests that have business before the state outside of traditional campaign finance limits.
Records indicate that approximately $4.8 million in behested donations have gone to the California Partners Project, a nonprofit co-founded by Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Critics have raised concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest in those arrangements.
Several large donors to Newsom-backed initiatives later received favorable state actions. Blue Shield donated $20 million during the pandemic and subsequently received a no-bid contract related to vaccine distribution. Kaiser Foundation contributed nearly $10 million before later receiving a major role in California’s Medi-Cal system. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria donated millions while benefiting from state decisions involving tribal gaming.
Newsom has paid a $31,500 ethics fine related to the late disclosure of certain behested payments. He and his wife are also the subjects of multiple federal investigations, though details of those probes have not been publicly disclosed.
Supporters of the practice note that many of the funds have supported wildfire recovery, education programs, healthcare initiatives, and disaster relief efforts. Critics, including political strategist Dan Schnur and Sean McMorris of California Common Cause, have described the system as ripe for abuse and noted that politicians often solicit donations primarily from entities with interests before them.
Assemblyman David Tangipa has characterized behested payments as a vehicle for political influence peddling, arguing that while the practice may be legal, it raises serious ethical concerns.
The issue has gained attention amid broader debates about transparency, campaign finance, and the influence of money in California politics. Newsom has not issued a detailed public response to the latest round of scrutiny beyond previously defending the charitable uses of the funds. The controversy continues to fuel discussions about whether California’s behested payment system requires reform to reduce the potential for conflicts of interest.
Leading Democrat Stabs Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in the Back, Switches Parties, Becomes Republican
HONOLULU, Hawaii — June 22, 2026
Hawaii state Representative Elle Cochran has announced she is leaving the Democratic Party to join the Republicans, modestly expanding the GOP’s presence in the heavily Democratic state legislature.
Cochran, who represents parts of West Maui and Lahaina, said her decision stemmed from frustration with how she was treated within the Democratic caucus. She stated that she felt marginalized and viewed as an outcast after it became clear she would not consistently align with party leadership.
“I was basically treated as a minority in the majority caucus,” Cochran said. “Once it became clear I wasn’t going to be a rubber stamp, I was treated as an outcast.”
Her district includes Lahaina, an area heavily impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires that killed more than 100 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. Cochran said one of her primary motivations for switching was the need for stronger advocacy for her constituents as the region continues to recover. She argued that her efforts to secure support and resources were not adequately addressed within the Democratic caucus.
“My pleas and asks for my constituents have been basically ignored or sabotaged,” she said.
In announcing her switch, Cochran emphasized the importance of political balance and open debate. She said Hawaii’s government functions best when multiple perspectives are considered and when lawmakers are free to challenge one another’s ideas.
“I believe Hawaii works best when there is balance in government,” she said. “When different perspectives are welcomed, and ideas are debated openly for the good of the people.”
Cochran also expressed support for what she described as the Republican caucus’s openness to differing viewpoints. She said she was drawn to the GOP’s emphasis on limited government, fiscal responsibility, and stronger advocacy for local communities.
Her move increases the size of the Republican caucus in the Hawaii House to 10 members out of 51, marking its largest presence in nearly two decades. While Republicans remain firmly in the minority, the addition of Cochran provides a new geographic dimension to the caucus, which had previously been composed primarily of lawmakers representing Oahu.
State Rep. Diamond Garcia welcomed Cochran to the party, noting that party switches in this direction are relatively rare.
Cochran has not yet confirmed whether she will seek re-election under her new party affiliation. Several candidates, including Democrats and members of the Green Party, have already filed to run for her seat.
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Political analysts often view such switches as indicators of internal party dynamics rather than large-scale ideological shifts. Individual lawmakers may change affiliation due to local issues, personal beliefs, or conflicts with leadership. Cochran told constituents that while her party affiliation is changing, her core priorities remain the same. The switch reflects ongoing discussions about representation and effectiveness in a legislature long dominated by one party.
