KQED Newsroom
Friday, Nov. 9, 2018
7 p.m. on Channel 9
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Midterm Results, Women in Politics
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
This week, President Trump issued a proclamation to deny asylum to anyone entering the U.S. illegally, a stark reversal of decades of immigration policy. In a separate move, the president also forced out Attorney General Jeff Sessions and appointed Matthew Whitaker as his replacement. We talk to newly re-elected San Jose congresswoman Zoe Lofgren about this latest news, and how the Democratic Caucus plans to move forward. Rep. Lofgren sits on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, and is in line to lead the Committee on House Administration after the new Congress begins in January.
Midterm Results
In the days following Tuesday’s midterm elections, we take stock of notable wins in California races. With the Democrats winning a majority in the House, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is poised to resume her role as speaker, and has outlined an agenda that leads with issues like prescription drug costs and infrastructure. We also discuss Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom’s plans for the state, including issues like gun control in the wake of the latest mass shooting in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday night. Plus, a look at the state propositions on housing that won and lost, and what it says about the mindset of voters when it comes to housing affordability.
Guests: KQED’s California Politics and Government Desk
- Scott Shafer, Senior Editor
- Marisa Lagos, Reporter
- Guy Marzorati, Reporter and Producer
- Katie Orr, Reporter
Women in Politics
This year’s midterm elections saw record numbers of women running for office. Nationwide, at least 121 women have won so far out of a field of almost 300 female candidates for governor and Congress. Among the wins are many firsts, including the first two Native American women elected to Congress, the first woman senator from Tennessee, and the first female governors of Maine and South Dakota. Women candidates were also a force behind flipping a number of traditionally red seats to blue, giving the Democrats control of the House. We discuss these historic results and what they mean for the future of women in politics.