Joe Mathews • Zócalo, Author at Stocktonia News

A person seated at a desk with a California flag and vintage poster in the background.

Commentary: Amid a dismal field of governor candidates, let’s draft Buffy Wicks

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo Feb. 17, 2026, 6:00 a.m.Feb. 11, 2026, 11:11 a.m.

None of the declared candidates for California governor has put together a strong campaign or developed broad support, columnist Joe Mathews writes.

Protest scene with diverse crowd holding signs and flags facing uniformed police in riot gear. Tense atmosphere, divided by yellow tape.

Commentary: California can blame itself for ICE’s violence

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo Jan. 18, 2026, 6:00 a.m.Jan. 16, 2026, 1:50 p.m.

The California State Capitol building with a central dome and Corinthian columns under a clear blue sky.

Commentary: Both sides of Prop. 50 are telling lies

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo Oct. 21, 2025, 6:00 a.m.Oct. 20, 2025, 11:55 a.m.

Three flags on a pole against a blue sky: the U.S. flag, the California state flag, and a partially visible dark red flag with an emblem.

Commentary: California doesn’t need to secede; the U.S. already abandoned us

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo Oct. 15, 2025, 6:00 a.m.Oct. 13, 2025, 4:19 p.m.

Two people wearing suits greet each other behind a red podium with "ELECTION RIGGING RESPONSE ACT" written on it and a crowd holding signs and clapping behind them

Commentary: Will Gov. Newsom and Sen. Padilla swap jobs?

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo Sept. 21, 2025, 6:00 a.m.Sept. 18, 2025, 9:14 a.m.

A person wearing a suit and tie smiles in front a signs showing "YES ON 50"

Commentary: California should exit the gerrymandering war

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo Aug. 30, 2025, 6:00 a.m.Aug. 29, 2025, 11:57 a.m.

High-speed train moving through a rural landscape with agricultural fields and distant hills.

By trying to kill high-speed rail, Trump is saving it

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo Aug. 11, 2025, 4:15 p.m.Aug. 11, 2025, 4:15 p.m.

People working in a green field with a tractor and hills in the background.

Commentary: Getting undocumented Californians on Medi-Cal is a huge success

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo June 11, 2025, 6:00 a.m.June 8, 2025, 7:10 p.m.

Armed personnel in tactical gear deploying tear gas on a street in front of a building, with smoke and debris present.

Commentary: I went looking for L.A. riots after ICE raids. I found a Sweet 16 party

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo June 9, 2025, 6:00 a.m.June 8, 2025, 8:00 p.m.

Person with child on shoulders on a pier next to a sign reading "Hoi Tin Garden Restaurant."

Commentary: My mom’s love and her journalistic skepticism are inseparable

by Joe Mathews • Zócalo May 11, 2025, 6:00 a.m.Sept. 18, 2025, 8:54 a.m.