On June 3, Californians who cast their vote in the state primary election will narrow down the final candidates who will run for our state’s leadership before the election in November. One of the key offices that will be decided is the race for governor.
The governor serves as the chief executive for the state. Among the major duties the position is responsible for submitting the state budget and ensuring the laws of the state are enforced, as well as appointing judges to the state’s Supreme Court. The governor is also the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard.
Incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, has been in politics for most of his public life. Born in San Francisco, he is the son of the state’s 32nd governor, Edmond G. “Pat” Brown. He attended private and public schools before matriculating on to the University of California at Berkeley and Yale Law School. He was a member of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees from 1969 to 1971, and was California Secretary of State, before being elected the 34th governor of California from 1975 to 1983.
Gov. Brown appointed the first African American (Wiley Manuel), first Latino (Cruz Reynoso) and the first woman (Rose Byrd) judges to the California Supreme Court.
Over the years, Jerry Brown has made three (1976, 1980, 1992) unsucessesful attempts to run for president.
After he left the governorship in 1983, he traveled internationally to study Buddhism in Japan and worked in a hospice with Mother Teresa in India. After returning to the U.S., Brown worked as Chairman of the California Democratic Party, was elected Mayor of Oakland (1999-2007), and most recently served as Attorney General of California, before his re-election in 2010 as the current governor.
During that campaign, Brown ran on a platform to balance California’s budget and create more jobs for the state’s residents, particularly Clean Energy Jobs.
In 2012, he signed a budget that made deep cuts in social services, offset by tax increases under Proposition 30, a 2012 voter-approved measure which raised personal income taxes for those making more than $250,000 annually.
In May of 2014, he released a revised state budget that is supposed to provide healthcare to Californians, pay down $11 billion in debt and fund the teachers’ retirement system over time. He also has a long-standing reputation as an environmentalist and supporter of women’s right to choose.
Republican opponent Tim Donnelly was born in Atlanta, Ga., and grew up in Michigan. As the third oldest of 14 children, Donnelly paid his own tuition at a private high school by working different jobs. Graduating from the University of California Irvine with a bachelor’s degree in English, he went to work in his father’s family business which supplied parts to plastic manufacturers.
Donnelly later started his own business consulting with companies on manufacturing problems.
Donnelly worked in prison ministry at the Pilot Rock Camp for eight years, and in 2005 founded the largest chapter of the Minutemen, a volunteer group that patrols California’s borders to prevent people from illegally entering the United States.
In 2010, Donnelly ran for and won the seat for the 33rd District of the California State Assembly. During his time in the assembly, he introduced AB 1721 which forced the California Air Resources Board to give written warnings to businesses that are out of compliance, rather than fine them for environmental infractions.
He also served on a variety of legislative committees including the Appropriations Committee, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
If elected governor, Donnelly intends to fight to create a constitutional amendment that would declare Obamacare unconstitutional, and repeal the DREAM Act, which provides educational funding to illegal immigrants in return for military service, or if they have lived in the United States and gone to the primary public school system before the age of 16.
He will also work to reverse the Realignment action introduced by Gov. Brown which transferred prison inmates to county jails to avoid overcrowding at the state level.
A pro-life candidate, he has also worked to audit California Child Protective Services on their accountability after reports of abuse of authority by the agency.
Donnelly also says he will review the efficiency of government services to determine if those jobs would be better performed in the private sector.
Green Party candidate Luis J. Rodriquez says that as governor, he would curb corporate domination and align resources to end poverty; overhaul the costly and ineffective prison system with evidence-based healing, treatment, job training, and restorative justice practices; provide a clean and green environment for everyone; offer free quality education and healthcare; and ensure access to arts and culture in every neighborhood.
Independent candidate “Bo” Bogdan Ambrozewicz is a supporter of rights for women and minorities and advocates no fees for new businesses for the first year and a 25 percent reduction for existing businesses. He also believes business investment depreciation should be accelerated by 50 percent; property taxes should cut by half; reduce building permits 50 percent; repeal the fire tax; and reduce college tuition 25 percent. He also wants to create a senior discount plan and implement immigration reform.
Republican Andrew Blount moved to California 20 years ago with $17 and hope for a better life. California, in turn, offered him the freedom to build a software business, raise a family, and serve as mayor of the City of Laguna Hills.
“California is different than other states. We dream it bigger, we grow it bigger, and we build it bigger. What I ask from you is no less. In that spirit, I have taken a different path . . . a Californian path. Throughout this election, I have not asked for your hard earned money, but only for your vote to elect me governor. California is not for sale and neither is this election. If you believe that your income should grow faster than your expenses, then vote for me. If you believe that schools should teach employable skills, then vote for me. If you believe that college is too expensive, then vote for me. If you believe that all hard working women and men should have an equal opportunity to provide for their families and save enough for retirement, then vote for me. Be excited! All Californians have what it takes to realize the greatness inherent in each of us. Let’s make prosperity today’s reality.
Joe Leicht believes that as an independent, he is uniquely qualified to work with leaders of both parties to put California back on the right track.
“By voting for me, you will send a strong message to both parties that you expect, nay, demand results. Together we can build the California we desire.”
Cindy L. Sheehan, who represents the Peace and Freedom Party, is committed to working together to create a peaceful, prosperous, and environmentally clean and sustainable state with high-quality education and healthcare for all. This includes people earning living wages, and community control of abusive police and prisons. “I vow to tax the super-rich more to end poverty.”
Republican Glenn Champ says he is the only candidate who will clean up the mess by holding elected officials accountable to the Constitution in a way that will improve our economy.
