Politics & City Editor

Kaitlyn Schallhorn

Kaitlyn Schallhorn is a politics and city editor with the Orange County Register. She previously served as the editor in chief of The Missouri Times, overseeing print, television, and newsletter coverage of the State Capitol. Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East. She studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., left, waits with others for the start of a news conference with California Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

What is redistricting? Your questions about maps, California’s feud with Texas and more, answered

August 15, 2025 at 9:56 a.m.

The latest feud between President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom could affect who you're voting for next year.

Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. Heath secretary, is running for governor in California in 2026. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)

Xavier Becerra launches campaign for California governor

April 5, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Becerra has a long resume in California politics, including serving in the statehouse, as California's attorney general and in Congress.

Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., waves at supporters at an election night party, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. Porter built a social media reputation by wielding a white board at congressional hearings, and that helped propelled her campaign for the Senate. But on Super Tuesday, the numbers didn’t add up for her in the primary and she’ll be out of a job in Washington come Jan.. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

What’s next for Rep. Katie Porter after she leaves Congress?

April 12, 2024 at 6:19 a.m.

The Irvine Democrat says she'll still be involved in politics despite not holding elected office come January. She also plans to return to UCI.

U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, addresses supporters on election night at The Bungalow in Long Beach, CA, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

What could be next for Rep. Katie Porter after Senate loss?

March 8, 2024 at 6:17 a.m.

Despite the loss, political experts say the three-term congresswoman's future is bright — even in politics.

Gov. Gavin Newsom needs voters to approve a ballot initiative in an off-year special election that the state has yet to officially approve and schedule. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Election 2024: Your California primary questions answered

March 1, 2024 at 11:34 a.m.

Am I registered to vote? What should I do if I've lost my ballot? Those election questions and more answered.

Legislators hold a press conference on April 20, 2023, after a special hearing on fentanyl-related legislation was announced. Included in the slate of bills earmarked for the hearing is one from Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, D-Irvine, (center) that strengthens penalties for trafficking fentanyl through social media companies.

Legislative effort to curtail trafficking fentanyl through social media stalls

April 27, 2023 at 6:10 p.m.

Public safety committees are known for becoming a “cemetery” for bills that either create new crimes, even regarding fentanyl.

A snowy owl perches on the top of a chimney of a home in Cypress on Tuesday afternoon, December 27, 2022, as bird watchers and photographers gather on the street below to see the very unusual sight.

A holiday mystery: Extremely rare snowy owl spotted in Southern California

December 30, 2022 at 8:37 a.m.

Regardless of how the owl made its way to Orange County, it's certainly a rare sight for bird enthusiasts.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that he picked Dr. Diana Ramos to serve as the next state surgeon general. Dr. Ramos is a well-recognized public health expert, a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, and an adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor, at the Keck University of Southern California School of Medicine. (Photo: Leonard Ortiz/Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange County’s Diana Ramos picked for state surgeon general post

August 26, 2022 at 9:17 a.m.

Gov. Gavin Newsom names Dr. Diana Ramos of Orange County the new state surgeon general.

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