California’s most loyal Democrats looked good in the broader range of jockeys on behalf of Gov. Gavin Newsom at the annual state Democratic convention held in Anaheim this weekend.
Democrats running for governor in 2026 were rushing between caucus meetings, floor speeches and afterparties. He told personal stories and spoke authentic things, such as housing affordability and increased cost of living, to tackle some of California’s most established issues.
All handshaking and selfies were done in the absence of Harris, the most prominent candidate in the race and not saying whether he would run for governor in 2026 or seek the White House in 2028.
State Supt. Public leader Tony Thurmond is on stage to deal with California Democrats.
(Carlin Steel/Los Angeles Times)
The most visible candidates for the conference were former Senate Speaker Pro Tem Toni Atkins, former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Bekera, businessmen Stephen J. Crubeck, Lieutenant Colonel Eleni Kunarakis, former state controller Betty Yi, former MP Katie Porter and State Sapter. Public leader Tony Thurmond and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigoza play less noticeable roles.
It’s still a year away, and the governor’s race is still in range. Two prominent Republicans are also taking part in the race. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News Comenco Steve Hilton.
Many democratic activists, donors and elected officials said they are waiting for Harris to make up her mind as the governor’s entry into the race can be pushed into the vote or other statewide race.
“People are waiting to see what she’s trying to do,” said San Jose president Matt Savage as he had a chia seed pudding and a breakfast burrito at a breakfast hosted by Yee. “She needs to decide right away.”
Yee told the crowd: “No matter who gets into the race, we’re staying.”
Businessman and governor candidate Stephen Crubeck speaks to his Canbuster after speaking at the Democratic Labor Caucus meeting in Anaheim on Friday.
(Allen J. Scheven/Los Angeles Times)
Surrounded by canvas that chanted his name when he spoke, political rookie Crubeck scolded Harris for not coming to a Democrat gathering after losing to President Trump in the November presidential election.
“If she decides to participate in this race, I’m embarrassed to her that she didn’t show up to the people here today, the most important people at the party,” Crubeck said. “And if she doesn’t have the IQ to show up, she’s deaf again.”
In a three-minute recorded video, Harris told Democrats that Republicans are working to cut rich taxes and to dismantle efforts to combat climate change.
“But that’s not a reason to throw away our hands,” Harris said. “That’s why I roll up my sleeves.”
According to the poll, if Harris runs for governor, she has a great advantage. A November survey by the UC Berkeley Government Institute co-hosted by the Times found that about 72% of Democrats are very likely or to some extent possible to vote for her.
Cloobeck said his campaign spent “probably hundreds of thousands of dollars” on the canvas. Canvas was wearing a royal blue shirt that adorned his name and handed out a shiny invitation to the evening of his comedy with “Roastmaster General” comedian Jeff Ross. One Canvas said he was paid $25 an hour and found a job on Craigslist.
At the party’s LGBTQ Caucus conference, Atkins, the race’s only famous gay candidate, told the cheering crowd that he dreamed of making California work for others. Atkins, 62, grew up in southwestern Virginia by coal miners and clothing workers, and moved to San Diego in his 20s.
“California has given us all the opportunities,” Atkins said. “I hope that the promise is true for everyone.”
Governor candidate and former Los Angeles mayor, Antonio Villaraigoza, spoke to the Latin Caucus at the state Democratic convention on Saturday.
(Carlin Steel/Los Angeles Times)
In the Latin Caucus, Villa Raigosa said Democrats need to focus on the affordability crisis facing working-class Californians, many Latinos.
Villaraigosa, 72, has been out of the office of choice for over a decade. He last ran for the governor in 2018, placing a distant third in the primary behind Newsom and Republican businessman John Cox. He also said he lost the mayoral race in 2001 before winning in 2005.
“It sometimes takes twice,” Villa Raigosa told the Caucus. “We’re ready. We’re invisible. We’re going to stand up for our workers and our community.”
Thurmond told the crowd during a party general session Friday afternoon that education was “the heart of our democracy.” It took his grandparents to the US and saved his life after his mother died at the age of six, he said.
“We must continue to be resistance to Donald Trump’s misguided policies,” he said. “We ensure that all students in this state have a quality education, and while we are there, we will not allow ice to come to any of the school’s campuses.”
The four candidates made a brief appearance before the party’s powerful organisational Labour Caucus, sought to argue that it was the best choice for the state’s more than 2.4 million union members.
In a 45-second speech, Cloobeck promised members that he would use union labor in hotel development projects and help them get “full, full wages” if elected, if a strike occurs.
Yee said, “We will protect and move forward your valuable pension fund.” She took a passing shot at Newsom’s now unknown dinner at the French laundry in Napa Valley during the Covid-19 pandemic. Newsom attended a lobbyist’s birthday party at a fine dining restaurant after pleading with Californians to stay home and avoid multi-family gatherings.
“I’m not about gimmicks,” Yee said. “I’m the flashiest person. Hell, I’m not stepping into French laundry. But I can tell you, I grew up in Chinese laundry.”
Kounalakis told the party’s Labour Conference that his father moved to the United States at the age of 14 and graduated from university as a waiter at the governor’s mansion before building a successful development company in Sacramento.
Her vision for the future of California is a massive investment in water infrastructure, clean energy infrastructure, road infrastructure and housing, she said.
Former US health and welfare secretary and gubernatorial candidate Xavier Beterra will speak with a state Democrat Labour member on Friday.
(Allen J. Scheven/Los Angeles Times)
At the party’s senior caucus meeting, Becerra told the Democrats that she was raised by working-class immigrant parents who bought their homes in Sacramento, questioning whether a couple without a university degree could do the same today.
He touted his experience as a member of Congress, fighting GOP’s efforts to cut social security disability insurance and as President Biden’s health director, he worked to reduce drug costs.
“We’re going to fight for you,” Becerra said.
Porter, who left Congress in January after losing her Senate run in the Women’s Caucus, said she is concerned that Trump’s budget cuts and policies will have a disproportionate impact on mothers, children and the LGBTQ+ community.
“It’s not happening on my watch,” Porter said.
Former US Rep. Katie Porter, a California governor candidate, is waiting to deal with the women’s caucus at the California Democratic Congress on Friday.
(Allen J. Scheven/Los Angeles Times)
Ann McKeun, 66, of the Acton Aguadelles Democratic Club in High Desert in Los Angeles County, said Harris wanted to become “bad” president, but Porter is the governor’s best choice.
“Kamala is better than Katie Porter,” McKeown said. “There’s no need to be good now.”
Jane Boach Enrow of Contra Costa County and her daughter spread the contents of a Democrat bag on the table, taking stock of flyers and campaign memorabilia, including Becerra for Governor’s Button, YEE’s Clear Plastic Coin Purse, “Van Fascism, “Van Fascism” rather than a book.
Boch Enrow, a middle school English and history teacher, said she thought she would support Thurmond because she understands education.
“But now there are so many people in the race that I’m not sure,” Baulch Enroe said.
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