California became the 31st state on 9 September 1850 and was admitted as a free state. It is the largest state in America; its economy ranks sixth in the world. The state nickname is The Golden State, a reference to the gold rush. Today, California has 53 US Representatives. The state is usually left-of-center on cultural issues and is more secular than religious.
Introduction
With a 2006 population of 36.5 million, California is overwhelmingly multicultural, with only 46.7% of the population classified as white. Los Angeles, its largest city, had a population of 17.8 million in 2006. Chief industries are high tech, defense and Hollywood. In 2004, the largest minority (32.4%) was Hispanic/Latino, followed by Asian (10.9%). Very little of the population (less than 1 million) is classified as rural. The state is much more densely populated than the nation, with 217.2 persons per square mile versus 79.6 (2004).
Registered Votes: Democrats, 42.5%; Republicans, 34.3%; Other, 23.2%
Presidential Politics
California has 55 electoral votes.- 2004 : Kerry (D) 54.3%, Bush (R) 44.4%
- 2004 D Primary: Kerry (64%), Edwards (20%), Kucinich (5%), Dean (4%)
- 2000 : Gore (D) 53%, Bush (R) 42%, Nader (I) 4%
- 1996 : Clinton (D) 51%, Dole (R) 38%, Perot (I) 7%
In 1964, Nelson Rockefeller lost to Barry Goldwater, who went on to take the Republican nomination. In 1968, Bobby Kennedy won the primary but was shot that night. George McGovern deeated Hubert Humphrey in 1972 and went on to take the Democratic nomination.
The California primary moved from June to March in 2000. In 2008, the primary will be February 5.
Republicans are trying to have California's electoral votes apportioned by congressional districts instead of winner take all.
Federal Representation
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D, 1992)
- Sen. Barbara Boxer (D, 1993)
State Government
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was elected in 2003, in a special election, and won re-election in 2006. The Lt. Governor, Cruz M. Bustamante (D), is the first Latino elected to California statewide office since 1878.The capitol is Sacramento; the state legislature has 40 seats in the Senate and 80 seats in the Assembly. Democrats hold a majority in both chambers.
Economy
California had become a US territory in 1848, after Mexico surrendered the land under the Treaty of Guadalupe. In 1849, thousands flocked to seek their fortune mining for gold after a find at Sutter's Mill. Its economy relies on imported water and electricity; the state is known for Silicon Valley and Hollywood. It is also the richest agricultural state in the country.California is also known for its environmental politics; In 1890, Congress established Yosemite National Park; John Muir helped form the Sierra Club, in part to protect it. In 1963, California became the most populous state in the country.