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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 …

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Google's Bay View campus in Mountain View, Calif. The company spent a record $1.5 million lobbying California lawmakers and regulators from January to September. (Source: David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Los Angeles Times – Why Google’s lobbying in California skyrocketed this year

Israeli soldiers take positions near the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel. A recent poll indicates that most California Democrats say the U.S. should not take sides in the Gaza war. (Source: Ohad Zwigenberg / Associated Press)
Monday, December 18, 2023

Los Angeles Times – Column: In an eye opener, most California Democrats don’t want U.S. siding with Israel

Joanna Maniti with members of her non-profit orphanage (Source: USC Dornsife)
Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Upworthy – Student gets inspired to start her non-profit orphanage while delivering a speech in class

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom took the debate stage on Nov. 30, and CPF hosted a watch party joined by students and political experts. In this image, DeSantis is speaking in Des Moines, Iowa, left, and Newsom is speaking in Sacramento, Calif., right. (Source: AP Photo)
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – Students react to fiery, and at times chaotic, Newsom-DeSantis Debate

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running for president, went head-to-head in a debate moderated by Sean Hannity. (Source: Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News and Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Friday, December 1, 2023

Business Insider – The Newsom-DeSantis debate talked about 2024 — but it really sets the stage for 2028

A demographic shift toward millennials, Gen Z and other young voters could signal a long-term change in party dynamics. (Image: Letty Avila via DALL-E.)
Friday, November 17, 2023

USC Dornsife News – Rising tide of independent voters sweeps across America

Last best chance? (Photographer: Angela Weiss/AFP)
Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Bloomberg – Why Democrats Are Ride or Die for Biden

The USC Center for the Political Future held a discussion ahead the 2024 presidential election on Nov. 1, led by Democratic campaign manager Addisu Demissie and former RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. (Source: USC Center for the Political Future)
Monday, November 13, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – The 2024 election may depend on if voters perceive the race as a “referendum” on Biden

President Donald Trump meeting with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (Photo courtesy of Trump White House Archive)
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – How tall does a presidential candidate need to be to win the elections?

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is 81; President Joe Biden will be the same age on Nov. 20. (Source: Photo/Patrick Semansky, The Associated Press)
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

USC News – How old is too old to be president?

Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, spoke about his experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and his experience in the Navy Reserves when “don’t ask, don’t tell” was repealed. (Source: Sasha Ryu / Daily Trojan)
Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Daily Trojan – Buttigieg talks future of American politics

Andrew Yang speaks at a panel hosted by the USC Political Union. (Photo by Aditya Thiyag)
Saturday, October 21, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – Andrew Yang discusses the state of American democracy with USC students

“Solutions not only offer the tangible ways to address the challenge, but they also provide hope,” Hoesung Lee said in his keynote address. (USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)
Wednesday, October 18, 2023

USC News – USC hosts leaders in climate research at Solutions for a Sustainable Future conference

Jericho Steve, of Pennsylvania, a supporter of the Jan. 6 defendants and former President Donald Trump, protests outside federal court, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in Washington, where sentencing had been expected for members of the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys. (Source: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Wednesday, October 11, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – Does USC have a polarization problem on campus? It depends who you ask.

CPF Pizza and Politics event on Wednesday, Oct. 4, with CPF Fellows Arnon Mishkin and Mike Schmuhl. (Source: Clera Rodrigues)
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – Pizza and Politics primes students for civic conversations

Kevin McCarthy has been ousted as the Speaker of the House. (Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture/Tanya E. Flores)
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – McCarthy ousted as Speaker of the House

Illustration of former President Donald Trump’s federal indictments (Source: Kimi Jung/Daily Bruin staff)
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Daily Bruin – Faculty reacts to former President Donald Trump’s federal indictments

California Governor Gavin Newsom names Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein Senate Seat. (Source: USC ATVN)
Monday, October 2, 2023

USC ATVN – Governor Gavin Newsom names Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein Senate Seat

Laphonza Butler has been appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom fill the U.S. Senate seat made vacant by Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death. (Source: AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Monday, October 2, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – Laphonza Butler appointed to vacant California Senate seat

Andrew Yang opened the event with a brief statement on his career, describing his experience as a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. (Source: Reo / Daily Trojan)
Friday, September 29, 2023

Daily Trojan – Students look forward with Andrew Yang

Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign event, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in Boiling Springs, S.C. (Source: AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – Will any candidate break Trump’s grip in tonight’s debate?

Vote and USC Political Student Assembly stickers (Source: ATVN)
Tuesday, September 19, 2023

USC ATVN – USC Celebrates National Voter Registration Day

President Joe Biden left and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy right (Source: Gage Skidmore)
Monday, September 18, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – Speaker McCarthy opens an impeachment inquiry into President Biden

Students and USC President Carol Folt Fight On at National Voter Registration Day on September 20, 2022. (Source: Louis Chen)
Monday, September 18, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – USC hosts National Voter Registration Day

Avril Haines, director of national intelligence, oversees a team in charge of the President’s daily intelligence briefing, which brings together information from across the CIA, FBI and other agencies. (Source: Jordan Renville / Daily Trojan)
Friday, September 15, 2023

Daily Trojan – National intelligence director on US security

President Joe Biden. (Source: The White House via Wiki Commons)
Friday, September 15, 2023

USC Price News – How Biden probe compares to previous impeachment inquiries

California Gov. Gavin Newsom commenting on California’s high-stakes Senate contest. (Source: The Messenger)
Wednesday, September 13, 2023

The Messenger – Newsom Comments Roil California’s High-Stakes Senate Contest

CPF Director and Democratic strategist Bob Shrum, Politico writer Melanie Mason, and California Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins join
Friday, September 1, 2023

Fox 11 Los Angeles – The Issue Is: Bob Shrum, Melanie Mason, Toni Atkins

A person visits memorials for Jerrald Gallion, Angela Carr and Anolt Joseph Laguerre Jr. near a Dollar General store where they were shot and killed two days earlier, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Source: Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Yahoo! News – Jacksonville shooting: 5 experts on the culture fueling racist attacks against Black people

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Source: Associated Press)
Monday, August 21, 2023

Los Angeles Times – Column: Newsom-DeSantis debate would be good for voters — and two ambitious politicians

John Kerry (left) and George W. Bush (right) (Source: InsideSources)
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

InsideSources – Point: Do Presidential Debates Still Matter?

Former President Trump continues to claim the ongoing criminal investigations are acts of politically motivated persecution. (Source: Unsplash)
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Daily Trojan – “A real stress test”: USC experts talk Trump’s third indictment

President Joe Biden. (Source: AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Saturday, August 12, 2023

Las Vegas Review-Journal – COMMENTARY: Democrats take a risk on Joe Biden

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) (Source: lev radin/Shutterstock)
Sunday, August 6, 2023

Alternet – ‘Simply deranged’: MTG lambasted for claiming ‘Biden administration is a communist regime’

Headshot of Joe Biden (Source: NH Journal)
Tuesday, August 1, 2023

NH Journal – ANALYSIS: NH Dems Make Risky Bet on Biden

Vice President Kamala Harris gives remarks during a speech in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Source: SEAN MCINNIS)
Thursday, July 13, 2023

The Fresno Bee – Fact check: Is Kamala Harris the most unpopular vice president ever?

Vice President Kamala Harris listens as President Joe Biden speak during the State of the Union address Feb. 7 from the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Source: Jack Gruber/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Thursday, July 13, 2023

The Sacramento Bee – Republicans love to bash Kamala Harris going into the 2024 election. Here’s why

Beg To Differ podcast graphic highlighting episode with Bob Shrum
Friday, June 30, 2023

The Bulwark – A Week Where Decades Happen

Former President Trump arrives at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. after pleading not guilty in a Miami courtroom to dozens of felony counts that he hoarded classified documents and refused government demands to give them back. (Source: Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)
Sunday, June 25, 2023

Los Angeles Times – Prosecution vs. the presidency: Trump cases present looming legal crisis for nation

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) pushed to impeach President Biden. Some Republican insiders fear the damage this might have done. (Source: Video from The Hill)
Friday, June 23, 2023

The Hill – The Memo: Boebert’s ‘frankly stupid’ impeachment push leads to GOP groans, Dem glee

Rep. Adam B. Schiff after being formally censured by House Republicans. The move gives a boost to the Burbank Democrat’s bid for the U.S. Senate.(Source: Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
Friday, June 23, 2023

Los Angeles Times – Column: For Adam Schiff, censure is a gift from House Republicans

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event on May 31 in Salix, Iowa. (Source: Charlie Neibergall/AP)
Monday, June 12, 2023

Los Angeles Times – Column: Hey DeSantis, real tough guys don’t use vulnerable immigrants as political pawns

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, acknowledges supporters after speaking during the launch of her campaign to succeed Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate, at Laney College in Oakland on Feb. 25. Source: Ray Chavez Bay Area News Group via TNS
Tuesday, June 6, 2023

The Sacramento Bee – The Democrats running for Feinstein’s seat vote the same. A closer look reveals differences

Back of Donald J. Trump participating in a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 28, 2018 (Source: Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
Sunday, May 28, 2023

NH Journal – In 2024 Presidential Race, Does Military Service Still Matter?

Photo of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida
Monday, May 22, 2023

The Week – Mickey Mouse vs. GOP: fallout continues from battle between Disney and DeSantis

Colorado Springs Gazette photo graphic showing Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) and Donald Trump (right)
Thursday, May 4, 2023

Colorado Springs Gazette – Trump’s main 2024 GOP primary opponent could be Trump fatigue

Donald Trump and Joe Biden participate in the final presidential debate at Belmont University on Oct. 22, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee.(JIM BOURG-POOL/GETTY IMAGES)
Friday, April 28, 2023

U.S. News & World Report – The 2024 (Un)Popularity Contest

The second annual Communicator of the Year Awards honor five USC Dornsife scholars for engaging with the public through media, social media and other channels. (Image: Letty Avila.)
Thursday, April 27, 2023

USC Dornsife News – USC Dornsife honors 5 scholars with Communicator of the Year Award for outstanding public engagement

Joe Biden jogs across the White House lawn after returning from his annual medical checkup in February. (Getty Images)
Wednesday, April 26, 2023

BBC News – How Joe Biden’s campaign hopes to overcome his age problem

Center of the Political Future Director Bob Shrum (left) and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown (right) in discussion at the Davidson Conference Center Thursday.
Sunday, April 23, 2023

Daily Trojan – Former U.K. prime minister talks Russia, China, Great Recession at USC

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

The Bulwark – Iowa Is a Big Problem for Trump

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – USC students on campus political polarization

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

USC Annenberg Media – USC hosts annual Climate Forward Conference

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

USC News – Hard-earned professional lessons shared at Young Women’s Leadership Conference

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Daily Trojan – ‘You want to fight terrorists? Educate!’: EU ambassador to U.S. speaks at USC

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Daily Trojan – Students bite into politics and pizza

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Newsweek – Can GOP’s Culture War Gamble Help it Win in 2024?

Thursday, January 12, 2023

The Sacramento Bee – It’s on: Gavin Newsom, Republican lawmakers in D.C. launch a verbal slugfest

CPF Board Marshall Silberberg Headshot
Monday, January 9, 2023

Longtime Southern California Attorney Marshall Silberberg Joins CPF’s Board of Councilors

Friday, January 6, 2023

Los Angeles Times – Analysis: Only a minority in the GOP sees Jan. 6 as a sad day, poll finds

Friday, January 6, 2023

The Sacramento Bee – California GOP on McCarthy Speaker bid: ‘The Republican Party is entirely dependent on him’

Friday, January 6, 2023

Courthouse News Service – As Newsom kicks off second term, speculation about White House run grows

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

CityBiz – Repairing America’s Broken Democracy: Bridge Alliance Members Take Action – Kamy Akhavan, Executive Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

USC News – USC works to get out the vote

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

CalMatters – Gavin Newsom’s reelection campaign looks more like a run for president

Monday, October 3, 2022

Los Angeles Times – Column: Jan. 6? Climate change? War in Europe? The voters have other things on their minds

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Finger Lakes Times – Ewing Forum opens Sunday with political discussion

Friday, September 23, 2022

Daily Trojan – Hispanic White House leaders visit USC

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Washington Monthly – USC Recognized for High Voter Registration Rates

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Insider – What Kanye West, Oprah Winfrey, and The Rock have in common: They’re top third-party alternatives to the Biden-Trump 2024 presidential binary.

Monday, July 25, 2022

BBC Reel – Why conspiracy theories are so hard to challenge

Monday, June 6, 2022

Los Angeles Times – With unprecedented spending, Caruso is everywhere. Can the billionaire become overexposed?

Friday, June 3, 2022

USC Annenberg Media – College students could be spending their time partying outside of the classroom. Instead, they’re thinking 30-50 years ahead about the future of politics.

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Daily Trojan – Student club helps unhoused communities in L.A.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Beverly Press – CD13 candidates debate in virtual forum

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Los Angeles Magazine – L.A. Mayoral Debate: Informative, Entertaining and Truly Bashtastic

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Spectrum News 1 – Caruso on receiving end of attacks during mayoral debate with 5 top candidates

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

CNN – Los Angeles mayoral race shows shift in policing debate in heavily Democratic city

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

LA School Report: ‘Not for the faint of heart’: Education experts and leaders warn school boards dominated by politics

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Los Angeles Times – Stakes are high as 5 leading candidates for L.A. mayor finally meet

Graphic with the words
Monday, February 28, 2022

Statement from the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Daily Trojan – Center for the Political Future discusses history, present of China

CPF Board Kevin S. Parikh Headshot
Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Avasant CEO and Chairman Kevin S. Parikh Joins CPF’s Board of Councilors

CPF Board Yar Chaikovsky Headshot
Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Paul Hastings Litigation Department Partner Yar Chaikovsky Joins CPF’s Board of Councilors

Friday, February 18, 2022

Daily Trojan – Students participate in political challenge

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Daily Trojan – Jamie Raskin talks new memoir

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Daily Trojan – ‘Is California Still a Golden State?’

Friday, January 21, 2022

WBUR – The Democrats’ messaging problem, and how to fix it