Kamala Harris’ Democratic colleagues and Republican opponents are no doubt thrilled that the former vice president announced that she would not be running for California’s governor. Given her name ID, she would have been the front-runner to replace Gavin Newsom whatever her merits and demerits. The race had been effectively on hold awaiting her decision—and now other candidates can get moving.
As senator, Harris governed as a mainstream liberal. As AG, she largely held a finger in the wind. She often did the bidding of the police unions—and then tried to depict herself as a progressive criminal-justice reformer when that looked like a winning position. We found her tiresome. We would have expected Harris’ governorship to be similar to Newsom’s—not a compliment.
With its myriad problems—a homelessness and housing crisis, crumbling infrastructure, wildfire and water challenges—California is desperately in need of innovative, market-oriented ideas. Harris would not have provided them, but the remaining field doesn’t inspire much confidence. The primary is in June, so kudos to Harris for providing time for a boisterous race.
Attention will focus on the Democratic candidates, as no Republican has won the governorship (or any statewide office) since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. GOP statewide candidates are lucky to break 40%. With the top-two primary, it’s not even a certainly a Republican will make it into the general election.
The Democratic field is, to put it kindly, underwhelming. Candidates include establishment figures, ideologues and has-beens. Of the former, there’s Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Controller Betty Yee and former legislative leader Toni Atkins. Kounalakis and Yee haven’t established any distinctive positions. Atkins is progressive, but with a reputation for personal graciousness. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is a mouthpiece for teachers’ unions.
In the has-been camp, there’s former AG Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Becerra was a constant embarrassment and mouthpiece for police unions. Villaraigosa took some praiseworthy positions, such as his support for educational choice, but a lot has changed since he was a political powerhouse.
Katie Porter, the former Orange County representative, is the field’s highest-profile ideologue. Every Democrat will promote high tax, big-government policies. It’s a matter of degree, with Porter likely to be the most aggressive in, say, embracing single-payer healthcare and “battling” corporate interests.
The GOP side shows the hallmarks of recent debacles—candidates with strong appeal among conservative voters, but who will struggle beyond the base. That includes former Fox News TV host Steve Hilton, who vacillates between thoughtful reformer and bomb-thrower. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is a hero of the law-and-order Right. He might do well running in a state such as Alabama, but probably not in California.
One interesting possibility: Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso, who spent $100 million on a losing race for LA mayor, has indicated interest in running again for office. He hasn’t declared his intentions, but is a moderate Republican-turned-independent-turned Democrat. He is focused on nuts-and-bolts reform issues and stayed in the limelight highlighting LA’s wildfire failures. He has deep pockets, which can help him compete. We see echoes of the late Richard Riordan, a businessman who served as a competent LA mayor.
There’s still time for new voices to emerge to shake up the race. California certainly can use them.
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