Laura J. Nelson is a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, covering politics and campaign finance. Since joining The Times in 2012, she has also covered transportation and worked as an investigative and enterprise reporter. She was part of the team that won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the San Bernardino terrorist attack, and the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a dive-boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Nelson grew up in Kansas and graduated from USC.
Latest From This Author
Tuesday night, Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey will hold the only debate for one of the most coveted jobs in California politics, a U.S. Senate seat.
Garvey owes as much as $750,000 to the IRS, while Schiff has made as much as $2 million from his 2021 book, “Midnight In Washington.”
Oct. 7, 2024
Democrat Laura Friedman squares off against Republican Alex Balekian in the race to replace longtime Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank.
Oct. 3, 2024
Democratic Assemblymember Luz Rivas and Republican community advocate Benito ‘Benny’ Bernal are vying to represent the eastern San Fernando Valley district in the U.S. House.
Oct. 3, 2024
Cities will be able to issue permits that allow cannabis dispensaries to host live performances and serve hot food and nonalcoholic drinks.
Sept. 30, 2024
Democrats running for California governor met Sunday morning for the first major candidate forum of the 2026 election, a cordial discussion with few fireworks and almost no jabs at the politician they hope to succeed, Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Sept. 29, 2024
The forum will feature state Sen. Toni Atkins, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former state Controller Betty Yee, and state superintendent of education Tony Thurmond.
Sept. 25, 2024
Nearly 75,000 Americans, including 6,850 Californians, died of fentanyl overdoses last year. But only a few politicians have recorded ads about the synthetic opioid crisis.
Sept. 18, 2024
Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump, was in 2022 focused on lining up volunteers to help Ukraine win its war against Russia.
Sept. 16, 2024
An Oct. 8 auction features jewelry, art and political memorabilia owned by longtime California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died last year.
Sept. 13, 2024