Thomas D. Elias

Thomas Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. He has won numerous awards from organizations like the National Headliners Club, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Los Angeles Press Club, and the California Taxpayers Association. He has been nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize in distinguished commentary.

Right now, it’s uncertain who will eventually prevail or what will be the next conflict between state and local authority.

Opinion |
School districts the newest front in state vs. local tug-of-war

November 6, 2023 at 6:10 p.m.

Right now, it’s uncertain who will eventually prevail or what will be the next conflict between state and local authority.

Newsom is traveling and debating now to set himself up for his dream job

Opinion |
What, exactly, is Gavin Newsom aiming for?

November 3, 2023 at 6:00 a.m.

Newsom is traveling and debating now to set himself up for his dream job

Nothing is certain in any of these swing districts.

Opinion |
Thomas Elias: California could again be key to determining control of the House

October 27, 2023 at 6:00 a.m.

Nothing is certain in any of these swing districts.

Perhaps the most infamous October campus incident occurred in a Stanford freshman class where an instructor ordered Jewish students into a corner reserved for “colonialists.”

Opinion |
Elias: Hamas’ massacre of Jews in Israel boosts anti-Semitism on California campuses

October 17, 2023 at 3:23 p.m.

Perhaps the most infamous October campus incident occurred in a Stanford freshman class where an instructor ordered Jewish students into a corner reserved for “colonialists.”

Political and mathematical reality is that if Lee (or Butler) wants to avoid diluting Democratic votes to the point where a Republican like Garvey could make next November’s runoff, this might be about the only open path.

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Opinion |
What would happen if Laphonza Butler ran for the U.S. Senate next year?

October 9, 2023 at 12:40 p.m.

Political and mathematical reality is that if Lee (or Butler) wants to avoid diluting Democratic votes to the point where a Republican like Garvey could make next November’s runoff, this...

With only a few months before the primary, and no wish to endorse any of the leading candidates, why should he elevate one hopeful at the expense of the others?

Opinion |
Newsom’s Senate caretaker vow is actually perfectly reasonable, even if Barbara Lee is mad

September 22, 2023 at 7:00 a.m.

With only a few months before the primary, and no wish to endorse any of the leading candidates, why should he elevate one hopeful at the expense of the others?

The Anti-Defamation League and several other prominent Jewish-American organizations sued the Santa Ana district claiming it adopted its ethnic studies curriculum in an illegal, discriminatory manner.

Opinion |
Thomas Elias: Antisemitism festers in California’s ethnic studies courses

September 11, 2023 at 3:22 p.m.

The Anti-Defamation League and several other prominent Jewish-American organizations sued the Santa Ana district claiming it adopted its ethnic studies curriculum in an illegal, discriminatory manner.