Articles about events and initiatives at the Center for the Political Future and Unruh Institute, as well as contributions from our team to significant publications in California and beyond. For media inquiries, please contact cpf@usc.edu.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announces “Vogue World: Hollywood” a fashion event that celebrates the conversation between film and fashion scheduled for October 2025, at a news conference at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. (Source: Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Los Angeles Times – Centrist or podcast bro? Newsom’s latest rebranding effort is available to download

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H’wood Dem Donors Rage: ‘Ask Me for Another Dollar, I Dare You’ on The Ankler (Photo illustration by The Ankler)
Wednesday, March 19, 2025

The Ankler – H’wood Dem Donors Rage: ‘Ask Me for Another Dollar, I Dare You’

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A protest was organized the USC Student Coalition Against Labor Exploitation on February 27. (Source: Tamara Almoayed)
Thursday, March 6, 2025

USC Annenberg Media – USC community expresses concern over Trump’s threat to pull funding from universities over “illegal protests”

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President Trump speaks as he is joined by Elon Musk, and his son X Æ A-Xii, in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 11 in Washington. (Source: Alex Brandon / Associated Press)
Monday, March 3, 2025

Los Angeles Times – Many Californians fear that democracy is in peril

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CPF held its annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics
Thursday, February 6, 2025

USC Dornsife News – Why Trump took back the White House

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The Fetal Personhood Bill Just Introduced in Congress, Explained (Images: Getty, Design by Allie Folino)
Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Glamour – The Fetal Personhood Bill Just Introduced in Congress, Explained

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USC White House interns show what is possible when academic achievement meets a commitment to public service. (Photo/iStock)
Monday, December 16, 2024

USC Today – USC White House interns reflect on their time in the capital

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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) arrives to speak before Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) at a campaign event on Nov. 4 in Atlanta. (Source: John Bazemore / Associated Press)
Thursday, November 21, 2024

Los Angeles Times – Gaetz withdrawal as attorney general pick shows GOP can still say no to Trump. What’s next?

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CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy on NBCLA with Conan Nolan talking about voters’ concerns that convinced some to switch parties and what could have contributed to Kamala Harris’ loss in the presidential election. (Source: NBCLA/YouTube)
Sunday, November 17, 2024

NBCLA – NewsConference: Reflecting on changes the election brought

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CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy on NBCLA with Conan Nolan talking about the winners and losers of the 2024 election. (Source: NBCLA/YouTube)
Sunday, November 17, 2024

NBCLA – NewsConference: 2024 General Election’s winners and losers

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Former President Donald Trump gives the keynote speech at the CAGOP event days after the second Republican presidential debate. (Source: JASON GOODE)
Thursday, November 7, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – Looking ahead to Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office

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Students react as the results roll in during the CPF and USC Annenberg election night watch party. (Source: Mike Baker)
Wednesday, November 6, 2024

USC Today – Election watch party at USC Annenberg draws enthusiastic crowd of Gen Z voters

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The line to vote in the USC Village on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. (Source: Jason Goode)
Wednesday, November 6, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – USC community expresses mixed emotions from Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory

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Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S., October 30, 2024. (Source: Brendan McDermid/REUTERS)
Thursday, October 31, 2024

PBS News – Trump gambles with late trips to Democratic New Mexico and Virginia

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Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media on October 5 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Harris has been on a media blitz this week, making appearances on major national shows. (Source: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Newsweek – Has Kamala Harris’ Media Blitz Worked? Analysts’ Verdicts

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Ohio Sen. JD Vance, left, speaks to Sean Hannity on Fox News in the post-debate spin room Tuesday night in New York. (Source: Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press)
Sunday, October 6, 2024

Los Angeles Times – Election denial returns as focus with Vance’s ‘non-answer,’ new Trump indictment details

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The College Bowl program uses an algorithm to pair participants with someone with contrasting backgrounds and political beliefs to discuss their opinions on prevalent issues. (Source: Fin Liu / Daily Trojan)
Friday, October 4, 2024

Daily Trojan – Unify America provides space for political common ground

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Vice presidential candidates Ohio Senator JD Vance (right) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (left) at the debate. (Source: Al Drago/Bloomberg; Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Bloomberg – The Vance-Walz Debate Is Hardly ‘High-Stakes’

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USC was recognized by ALL IN, a nonpartisan civic engagement organization, as one of the “most engaged campus for college student voting” in 2022. (Source: Mallory Snyder / Daily Trojan)
Thursday, September 19, 2024

Daily Trojan – USC orgs, nonprofits register new voters

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Student groups table at an event hosted by the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future in honor of National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 17. (Source: Brianna Rieux)
Tuesday, September 17, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – USC celebrates National Voter Registration Day

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USC student Sara Xiao Stienecker, president of VoteSC and Trojan Democrats, spoke to Spectrum News 1 about the 2024 National Voter Registration Day. (Source: Spectrum News 1)
Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Spectrum News 1 – ‘Hamilton’ touring cast urges Angelenos to ‘Rise up and register’ to vote

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CPF's Nicole Pompilio spoke with Nataly Tavidian from KNX News about the 2024 National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 17. (Source: KNX News)
Tuesday, September 17, 2024

KNX News – USC students turn out for “Voter Registration Day” on campus

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A sign along a roadway shows support for former President Donald Trump on September 6, 2024, near Remington, Wisconsin. (Source: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Tuesday, September 17, 2024

CNN – Why these three states are the most consistent tipping point in American politics

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CPF Executive Director Kamy Akhavan joined the Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit podcast
Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit – How the US presidential hopefuls fared in televised debate

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Former Mayor of Stockton Michael Tubbs wants to tackle the affordability crisis and focus on implementing initiatives like universal basic income. (Source: Michael Tubbs)
Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Daily Trojan – Former USC fellow announces Lieutenant Governor Bid

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CPF Executive Director Kamy Akhavan spoke to Voice of America
Monday, September 9, 2024

Voice of America – Allegations that Iran gave Russia ballistic missiles

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Former President Obama onstage Tuesday night at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. (Source: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Los Angeles Times – News Analysis: The audacity of ‘hope’ from an incumbent Democratic Party

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CPF Director Bob Shrum's article
Thursday, August 15, 2024

DC Journal, InsideSources – Point: Political Conventions Still Matter

CPF Director Bob Shrum speaking at Politicon. (Source: Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images)
Friday, August 9, 2024

POLITICO – Will ‘Swift Boat’ Attacks Hurt Tim Walz? We Asked a Former John Kerry Strategist.

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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose during her nationwide “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour event. (Source: DAI SUGANO, Bay Area News Group via TNS)
Friday, August 2, 2024

The Sacramento Bee – Republicans’ California-bashing is full throttle. Will it hurt Kamala Harris’ White House bid?

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Kamala Harris, presidential candidate for the 2024 general election and vice president of the United States under President Joe Biden. (Source: Chris duMond/Getty Images)
Monday, July 22, 2024

Bloomberg – Democrats Clear the Runway for Kamala Harris

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Assemblymember Bill Essayli, R-Corona, left, speaks to demonstrators in favor of the Orange Unified School District’s transgender notification policy on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. (File photo by Leonard Ortiz, The Orange County Register/SCNG)
Friday, July 19, 2024

The Press-Enterprise – Inland Assemblymember Bill Essayli’s style of politics gets attention, but is it successful?

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George Clooney's op-ed in The New York Times called for President Joe Biden to step aside. (Source: Chris Smith/TheWrap)
Thursday, July 11, 2024

The Wrap – Hollywood’s Democratic Dam Breaks: As Biden Loses Celebrity Donors, Will DC Crack?

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Gov. Gavin Newsom leaves the stage after addressing attendees at his inauguration for a second term at the Plaza de California in Sacramento on Jan. 6, 2023. (Source: Rahul Lal, CalMatters)
Wednesday, July 10, 2024

CalMatters – Gavin Newsom for president? Tallying up his assets and liabilities

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U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris raise their hands during an Independence Day celebration in Washington, July 4, 2024. (Source: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)
Tuesday, July 9, 2024

The Christian Science Monitor – Is Kamala Harris ready to step up?

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President Joe Biden at first 2024 presidential debate (Source: Washington Examiner)
Thursday, July 4, 2024

Washington Examiner – Kamala Harris draws GOP attacks as Biden faces calls to step aside

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Sanei International CEO Aaron Nir Joins CPF’s Board of Councilors (Source: CPF)
Monday, May 13, 2024

Sanei International CEO Aaron Nir Joins CPF’s Board of Councilors

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Neera Tanden, domestic policy advisor to President Joe Biden, discussed the White House’s more ambitious goals to address climate change. (Source: USC Photo/Nick Neumann)
Monday, April 8, 2024

USC Today – Political leaders, scholars and activists discuss challenges ahead at Climate Forward Conference

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said her experience working in healthcare gave her a unique perspective to addressing homelessness, favoring access to social worker aid for Angelenos transitioning from living on the street. (Source: Victoria Singh / Daily Trojan)
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Daily Trojan – Bass speaks on mayoral lessons learned

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Mayor Karen Bass and Michael Tubbs, a special adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom and former mayor of Stockton, speak to students at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. (Photo by Kim Ly)
Tuesday, March 26, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – Mayor Karen Bass speaks on homelessness and leadership

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Adam Schiff carried all nine Bay Area counties in his bid for U.S. Senate, even though his congressional district lies more than 300 miles south. (Source: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Thursday, March 14, 2024

Los Angeles Times – Column: Northern California is losing its political dominance, and Adam Schiff’s victory proves it

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USC Super Tuesday panel guests talk to USC audience. (Photo by Michelle Chavez OF ANNENBERG MEDIA)
Friday, March 8, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – People didn’t care about the primary elections, according to Annenberg Super Tuesday Panel

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President Biden will speak at the State of the Union Address, which the White House is streaming live on Thursday evening. (Photo by Wesley Chen)
Thursday, March 7, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – ‘The stakes are high’: State of the Union address to set tone for general election

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Kamy Akhavan, the executive director of the Center for the Political Future, said the U.S. faces a specific type of polarization called “affective polarization.” (Source: Brittany Shaw / Daily Trojan)
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Daily Trojan – USC experts discuss growing polarization ahead of primaries

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Through Election Day on Tuesday, voters can drop off their ballots on the University Park and Health Sciences campuses. (Source: USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)
Monday, March 4, 2024

USC Today – Q&A: Why USC hosts two voting centers

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A ballot box is stationed in the USC Village for California-native Trojans to ease their voting experience. (Source: Evan Estevez Rodrigues)
Thursday, February 29, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – Why California is voting “twice” for their Senator

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks during a press availability on Capitol Hill, Feb. 27, 2024, in Washington. (Source: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – USC students, faculty offer mixed response as Mitch McConnell leaves leadership

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President Joe Biden arrives at Los Angeles International Airport, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Source: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – Biden’s Gold Rush: Fundraising campaign seeks millions from high-profile Californians

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From left, California U.S. Senate hopefuls Rep. Barbara Lee (D), Rep. Adam Schiff (D), Rep. Katie Porter (D) and former baseball player Steve Garvey, who is running as a Republican. (Source: Damian Dovarganes/AP)
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

The Washington Post – Even in bright-blue California, abortion is on the ballot

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CPF hosted a series of panels regarding the 2024 presidential election on Jan. 30. From left to right: John McConnell, Jane Coaston, Bob Shrum, Carissa Joy Smith, and Chris Cadelago. (Source: CPF)
Monday, February 5, 2024

USC Annenberg Media – ‘She’s a hater’: Experts weigh in on Nikki Haley’s presidential bid

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In anticipation of the March primary that will send the top two contenders to the Nov. 5 general election, the debate featured the top four polling candidates in the race: Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee, and former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Garvey. (Ana Hunter / Daily Trojan)
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Daily Trojan – Senate candidates spar at Bovard

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Candidates, from left, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., and former baseball player Steve Garvey, stand on stage during a televised debate Monday for candidates in the senate race to succeed the late California Sen. Dianne Feinstein in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Spectrum News 1 – Senate hopefuls debate at USC

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U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., left, speaks alongside U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., during a televised debate for candidates in the senate race to succeed the late California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Spectrum News NY 1 – California U.S. Senate candidates spar about policies, challenge each other in debate

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California Senate candidates Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee during a forum in Los Angeles on Oct. 8, 2023. | Richard Vogel/AP
Monday, January 22, 2024

POLITICO – 3 Democrats and a GOP baseball star walk onto a debate stage …

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U.S. Senate candidates, from left, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Katie Porter, and Republican Steve Garvey stand on stage during a televised debate in Los Angeles on Jan. 22, 2024. Photo by Damian Dovarganes, AP Photo
Monday, January 22, 2024

CalMatters – What you need to know from the high-stakes U.S. Senate debate

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Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley (left to right (Source: Sam Whitney/The New York Times)
Monday, January 15, 2024

The New York Times – Is Trump Steaming Toward a Candidacy-Sinking Iceberg? Three Writers Look at Iowa and Beyond.

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Left to right: Former baseball player Steve Garvey, Rep. Katie Porter of California’s 47th House District, Rep. Barbara Lee of California’s 12th House District and Rep. Adam Schiff of California’s 30th House District are running for Senate in the 2024 election. (Photos Courtesy U.S. Congress and Steve Garvey for U.S. Senate)
Monday, January 15, 2024

Orange County Register – Predictable Democrats and a substance-free GOP rookie to face off in a debate

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The Issue Is: Melanie Mason (left) and Bob Shrum (right) (Source: Fox 11 Los Angeles)
Friday, January 5, 2024

Fox 11 Los Angeles – The Issue Is: Melanie Mason, Bob Shrum, Chris Matthews

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From left, businessman and former Major League Baseball player Steve Garvey and U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff. (Photos: Courtesy of Steve Garvey and U.S. House of Representatives Office of Photography.)
Friday, January 5, 2024

USC Dornsife News – California’s US Senate candidates to meet for first debate hosted by USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future

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California Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff (center), Katie Porter (left), and Barbara Lee (right) will participate in a televised Senate race debate. (Source: Richard Vogel/AP)
Thursday, January 4, 2024

Politico – POLITICO to host first California US Senate debate

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Archived CPF News

Archived CPF News

Check out the archived news stories that highlighted CPF.