Monica Madden
Monica is passionate about making the nuanced issues of politics easy to understand and accessible for everyone. She loves to share her reports and behind-the-scenes on social media, with a passion for meeting younger generations where they are, so everyone can access reliable information about what is happening in their communities and government. You can follow and connect with her on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook @TheMonicaMadden.
Before coming to San Francisco, Monica was the Capitol Correspondent at KXAN in Austin, covering the biggest stories in Texas for more than a dozen Nexstar-owned stations. For three years, Monica was on the political beat covering the Texas Legislature. She also frequently crisscrossed the Lone Star State covering everything from wildfires and flooding in the north to issues along the southern border. In 2023, Monica was part of an Emmy-award winning team for best politics/government content for her reporting on the mass school shooting in Uvalde, which she heavily reported on accountability over the failed response for two years.
Prior to Austin, Monica was a political reporter and weekend anchor at WHO 13 News in Des Moines. While in Iowa, she extensively covered the 2020 Iowa Caucuses and interviewed several presidential candidates. Monica enjoyed covering the state legislature, putting into context the policies and issues that affect all Iowans.
Monica is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri, where she majored in broadcast journalism and minored in business. During Monica's time at Mizzou, she worked as a reporter, anchor and digital producer at the local NBC affiliate, KOMU 8 News. On campus, Monica was involved in lots of extracurriculars - including Mizzou Off Broadway, the Student Suicide Prevention Coalition, and various leadership roles in her sorority, Delta Delta Delta.
She's been keen on politics since a young age, in fact, Monica's "dream job" was becoming President of the United States in 2nd grade (that was short-lived). But she truly caught the bug after spending a semester in New York City interning at NBC for Andrea Mitchell Reports in 2018.
Outside of work, Monica loves being outdoors. She looks forward to taking advantage of the scenic views, hiking trails and beautiful weather in the Bay Area. She loves live music, theater and spending quality time with friends and family over a good meal! Monica grew up in Phoenix, Arizona but has always been fond of California. While she mostly covers politics, she is always open to a good story regardless of the topic. If you have story ideas, email Monica or connect with her on social media.
Monica's Stories
California controller race heats up as candidates clash over fraud, taxpayer dollars
Republican Herb Morgan is challenging Democratic State Controller Malia Cohen, who is seeking a second term overseeing an office responsible for tracking and disbursing state funds, auditing certain government spending and managing billions of dollars in unclaimed property.
As public worries about AI grow, Newsom's political calculus is changing
In recent weeks, Newsom has signed a series of AI oversight bills and called for stronger safeguards as some of the industry's own leaders warn about the risks of increasingly powerful AI systems.
Steve Hilton pitches affordability agenda as he tries to close gap in CA governor's race
In an interview with ABC7 Eyewitness News on Wednesday, Hilton laid out an ambitious agenda aimed at lowering housing costs, cutting state income taxes and bringing down gas prices - while facing questions about how he would deliver on those promises in a state where Democrats control the Legislature.
SF sues over Trump's Truth Social early-access feature, calling it 'corruption plain and simple'
San Francisco has filed a lawsuit challenging a new subscriber-only feature on Truth Social that provides early access to posts from high-ranking accounts. "In today's markets, early access means millions of dollars. This business scheme has turned public trust into private property. This is corruption plain and simple," Chiu said.
Poll finds California voters back billionaire tax and measure that could block it
California voters appear inclined to support a proposed one-time tax on billionaires, but new polling shows they may also approve two other ballot measures that could prevent the tax from taking effect.
AI boom brings new wealth to Bay Area, and new worries about growing affordability crisis
The Bay Area is bracing for a potentially enormous influx of wealth tied to private AI companies. The predicament complicates a familiar image of the Bay Area's affordability crisis, one that places highly paid tech workers exclusively on the winning side of rising housing costs.
California mail-in voting unchanged after Supreme Court blocks Trump restrictions
For California voters, the immediate takeaway is simple: The state's vote-by-mail system remains unchanged. The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump's attempt to impose new restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections.
Construction begins on development to transform SF's Candlestick Park into waterfront homes
A massive redevelopment, years in the making, is finally moving forward at the former home of the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants: Candlestick Park.
Prop 40 is dividing CA labor unions and experts argue the fight goes well beyond a billionaire tax
SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West is spearheading Proposition 40, arguing the tax is necessary to offset major federal health care cuts. But the opposition includes groups that have often found themselves politically aligned with organized labor, including the California Teachers Association, California Professional Firefighters and the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California.
Video shows moment FBI agents surround Swalwell at SFO amid federal investigation
The video shows Swalwell getting off a plane wearing a black hoodie and baseball hat before investigators approach him. He appears to cooperate and hands over what is presumed to be his cellphone to a female agent.
