It is the update you didn’t ask for, but due to the sheer number of folks running, and Eric Swalwell going up in flames, I feel compelled to comment.
There are about 200 folks running to replace Gavin Newsom as the next California governor, and to be honest, most Democrats that I speak with do not like the slate of choices they have.
What folks who live outside of California do not understand is, if you get elected governor, you are essentially a favorite to be the next nominee for President when you decide to run. During recent presidential years, the California Legislature has moved the traditional June primary way up to the beginning of March in an attempt to be relevant to the Presidential nominee selection process. The number of delegates available in California is about 1/5 of what you need to secure the nomination of either Party.
So, to my commentary.
I do not know if the candidates that make it to the November general election will be 1 from the GOP and 1 Democrat or 2 Democrats, it’s really that fluid. Here are the candidates at the top of the field and my thoughts on each.
Sheriff Chad Bianco
He is the MAGA sheriff from Riverside County. He is big into deportation and enforcing the law. (duh). He was/is my likely choice; I get a good vibes from him and feel we need a straight-talking sheriff. That being said, I think he finishes 4th. His talking points are not going to play here except in the very red and sparsely populated areas of the state. Trump endorsed Hilton (for reasons I do not understand) and as a result, his poll numbers fell about 5%. One thing to consider, the CAGOP did not endorse for governor which tells me he has strong backing in the party.
Xavier Becerra
I don’t get this guy. His entire campaign is “Trump bad!” He has no ideas. Just so people understand, the housing affordability crisis is even bigger in California than the rest of the US. A burger, fries, and a coke at Burger King is $18. Becerra is your classic “get me in the top 2 vs a Republican and I will win” candidate. He will finish in the top 3. My prediction is vague because he does have support from unions but mostly because his competition is……
Billionaire Tom Steyer
He has spent likely a hundred million dollars on TV ads. He wants to break up Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which I doubt could happen or actually lower costs, but go for it! PG&E is an evil empire out here in California so picking on them does move the needle. PG&E has said it will spend 10 million to defeat him, classic stupidity as the ads will likely raise Steyers vote total. Steyer is also all in on the billionaire tax that qualified for the ballot in November. (More on that in another blog). Steyer is all in on flaunting his wealth, and I think that’s a mistake in the Democrat Party. Prediction, I think he finishes 2nd-3rd. He has been constantly second in the polling. Credit where it’s due, he actually has ideas.
Steve Hilton
Former Fox News host who hails from LA. He is leading the polls and will finish 1st-2nd. As mentioned, Trump endorsed him, so he has gotten a boost in polling. Trump carries a lot of weight. However, I won’t be voting for him. Hilton gives me an odd vibe; similar to how I feel about Sean Hannity. Hannity claims to hate New York City, yet says I’ve called New York home most of my life. Hannity drives and openly brags about his hybrid car, again it’s an odd vibe for a conservative. Hilton has lived here for years, immigrated from Britain. He doesn’t really have any ideas, it’s mostly boiler plate GOP talking points. He seems like a Country Club RINO Republican that the Republican voters in this state love. On social issues, I’ve heard there is no difference between Hilton and the Democrats. I will say this, I will not cast a ballot for him in either election.
Katie Porker
The babe who berated her staff constantly has zero chance. She will likely be 5th. She has now bizarrely stated it’s because she is a woman. Yup, that’s how I decide who to vote for, you got a vagina; stick to the kitchen and make babies, and while you’re at it, make me a sandwich toots. Maybe if she used the term “birthing person” and not a gender specific one, she would fare better?
Editor Comment: when did Democrats decide a woman has a vagina? Clearly the Chief has not been sufficiently indoctrinated during his employee training classes. I will have HR look into this lapse of judgment. Dear Democrat readers, please excuse his sexist presumptions about the rainbow of genders with which you can identify in the great republic democracy of California.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see, things will be interesting down the stretch here. I only lament that if Trump didn’t endorse, we may have been able to sneak 2 Republicans through. Such is life though. What I do think is exciting is we could have a vast array of finishes when all the votes are counted. I do not typically trust polling, but I feel confident saying Hilton gets one of the two slots. Steyer and Becerra are intriguing. Either could take the other slot. Do Democrats vote for the billionaire? Is simply being anti-Trump enough to get elected? It’s the flip of a coin; Becerra has been the late riser in the polling with Swalwell being eliminated.
Grab your popcorn, buckle your seat belt, and enjoy the ride.
One thing that could be interesting, Billionaire Tom Steyer vs Steve Hilton. While Steyer is simultaneously campaigning for governor and the billionaire tax, Gavin Newsom said he will pour resources into defeating the ballot measure. Democrats do not typically like billionaires. Is it vote blue no matter who? Or could Hilton backdoor his way to the governorship as an Arnold Schwarzenegger? At least Hilton is not promising to blow-up boxes like Arnold did. After all, boxes are a legitimate type of housing in many cities in California. That folks is proof that Hilton is a compassionate conservative.
The Chief