Politics Reporter

Grace Hase

Grace Hase is the politics reporter for Bay Area News Group. She is a lifelong Bay Area resident and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with degrees in investigative reporting and political science. Before joining the Bay Area News Group she covered San Jose City Hall, housing, transportation and the COVID-19 pandemic for Metro Silicon Valley/San Jose Inside.

California gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan, left, and Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings. (AP Photo/The New York Times)

Pro-Matt Mahan committee refunds $1 million to major donor as another PAC shuts down

May 26, 2026 at 10:44 a.m.

The request adds to a difficult final stretch for Mahan, who remains behind several Democrats and Republicans competing for two November runoff spots.

Candidates for the California gubernatorial race are, from top left: Antonio Villaraigosa, Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton, and Matt Mahan. From bottom left: Tony Thurmond, Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra and Katie Porter. (TNS)

Poll: Democrats rally around Becerra, Steyer as Republicans consolidate behind Hilton

May 14, 2026 at 6:19 p.m.

The top two vote-getters will advance to the November election.

Gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer, entrepreneur, speaks during “The Race for California Governor” gubernatorial debate presented by the Black Action Alliance at The Bayview Opera House in San Francisco on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Steyer’s hedge fund past complicates his run as California’s anti-billionaire billionaire

May 13, 2026 at 11:29 a.m.

His fossil fuel, private prison investments face scrutiny in California governor’s race.

Tom Steyer, left, Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco and Matt Mahan participate in a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CNN at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Here’s how to watch the May 6 California governor race debate

May 6, 2026 at 4:16 p.m.

The seven leading candidates are back on the debate stage less than 24 hours after last night's debate.

From left, Tony Thurmond, Chad Bianco, Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan and Antonio Villaraigosa stand on stage during a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CBS LA at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Here’s how to watch Tuesday night’s California governor’s debate

May 6, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

As ballots start arriving in mailboxes this week, seven of the leading candidates for California governor will take to the stage for back-to-back debates this week, with the first one...

Only 16% of households could qualify to purchase a median-priced single-family home in the second quarter, the California Association of Realtors reported Friday. That’s down from 19% in the first quarter and 17% a year earlier. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

California governor candidates race to claim pro-housing mantle

April 27, 2026 at 12:57 p.m.

California governor candidates are leaning into pro-housing policies as YIMBY influence grows, even as they diverge on how to build more homes.

(L-R) Matt Mahan, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, Xavier Becerra, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, Chad Bianco, Republican gubernatorial candidate for California, Steve Hilton, Republican gubernatorial candidate for California, Tom Steyer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, and Katie Porter, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, during a gubernatorial debate at KRON Studios in San Francisco, California, US, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. California will hold its primary election on June 2, where the top two finishers advance to the general election in November regardless of party affiliation. (Photo by: Jason Henry/Nexstar/Bloomberg – Pool/Getty Images)

Democrats dig into each other on debate stage in crowded California governor race

April 23, 2026 at 3:04 p.m.

The zingers were flying in prime time as 6 candidates for California governor duked it out in the first televised debate since Eric Swalwell's exit.

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell attends the SEIU-United Service Workers West’s Gubernatorial Candidate Worker Forum at Meruelo Studios in Los Angeles, California, on January 10.

Rep. Eric Swalwell faces calls to resign, exit governor’s race after sexual assault allegations

April 13, 2026 at 5:23 a.m.

A former staffer says Swalwell assaulted her in 2019 and 2024; he denies the allegations as allies and rivals call on him to step aside.

File photo of a drone view of the Sorrento at Dublin Ranch housing development in Dublin in 2023. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

A proposal to exempt homeowners 60 and older from property taxes would cost local governments billions

February 25, 2026 at 9:34 p.m.

The proposed measure was cleared for signature-gathering earlier this month.

Gubernatorial candidates Matt Mahan, center, San Jose mayor, looks at Steve Hilton, political commentator, as Tom Steyer, entrepreneur, speaks during “The Race for California Governor” gubernatorial debate presented by the Black Action Alliance at The Bayview Opera House in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Sparks fly as San Jose mayor fends off rivals from left and right in first gubernatorial debate

February 5, 2026 at 7:04 a.m.

The televised debate saw few attacks in a race that recently got more crowded.

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