The Trump-endorsed former Fox News pundit and election-denying MAGA conspiracy theorist distilled their governing philosophies down to easily digestible, utterly unserious sound bites. The debate was a challenge for any thoughtful and serious candidate, in particular, Xavier Becerra.
As a former California attorney general and U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, Becerra has the gravitas, public service executive experience and temperament to excel in the governor’s office.
If he has any shortcomings, it’s that he isn’t a loud, obnoxious campaigner, which, unfortunately, attracts attention in a state this big.
I hope that Becerra can raise his profile (and poll numbers). It’d be a shame for our state to miss out on this gem of a candidate.
After watching the gubernatorial debate on Wednesday, I concluded that only one candidate has the competence, experience and character to govern our state: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
As mayor of a major city, Mahan has demonstrated the ability to deal with complex situations, unions, utilities, different agencies and budget, and has shown a calm demeanor under pressure.
I was not impressed by Tom Steyer, Katie Porter and Xavier Becerra, who only complained about the situation in California and expressed disapproval of many decisions made by Gov. Gavin Newsom without providing realistic solutions.
Mahan’s opponents also don’t have sufficient experience in managing multiple organizations, a quality necessary to run a state like California.
The person who really should pull out of the race, besides those polling at 1%, is Tom Steyer, who has bought his position in the polls.
California hasn’t supported billionaires trying to win office, but Steyer has somehow convinced my fellow liberals that he can run the most complicated state in the nation despite a lack of any experience. Sound familiar? Donating to initiatives isn’t any more relevant to governance than hosting a reality show.
Steyer has spent hundreds of millions first trying to buy the presidency and now the governorship. If he really cared about Californians, that could have been spent on affordable housing.
Say no to Steyer’s ego. Mahan showed in the debate that he deserves our support. As did Katie Porter.
Nicole Leschinsky, Novato