With a possible or even probable recall of Gavin Newsom happening this year, there are rumored replacement candidates, and a few confirmed.
Usually in Gubernatorial races, major party candidates don’t really start to get serious until late in the year prior to the election year. But with election cycles now adding considerable more time, allowing for more debates and offering the public the opportunity to see more of the candidates, candidates are starting to be discussed seriously now, with many actually declaring and forming exploratory committees.
With an earlier than ever need for the GOP to find a Governor candidate, the Globe takes a look at current candidates, candidates who have formed committees, candidates who are heavily rumored, and a few speculative picks of possible candidates who have the right stuff to win in 2021… or 2022.
This is the first article in a series identifying, familiarizing and analyzing potential and named candidates for California Governor.
Kevin Faulconer
Previous experience: San Diego City Councilman 2006-2014, San Diego Mayor 2014-2020
The current favorite to get the CAGOP nod, Faulconer currently has an exploratory committee set up and may declare in the near future if all goes well.
Faulconer has had a surprising rise to prominence in San Diego, winning his first City Council election, and Mayoral election, following major corruption scandals. The first time was in a special city Council election after Councilman Michael Zucchet had wire fraud, extortion, and conspiracy charges racked up against him in a strip club scandal (really). His first Mayoral victory came after former Mayor Bob Filner was involved in a sex scandal so bad that every California Democrat in Congress at the time called for his resignation (also really).
Faulconer’s compassionate conservative tendencies have won over many on the left, with his time as Councilman demonstrating his fiscal conservative chops in raising the city’s credit rating back up, while also pulling for some social services such as housing for the homeless. As Mayor, he pulled a little more to the right: voting down minimum wage increases and signing the Newsom recall petition. But Faulconer bolstered his social views by putting more funding into homeless initiatives, being pro-choice, and supporting measures to get illegal immigrants in California citizenship.
Successes:
As San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced in January 2020 he would take a ballot initiative to combat homelessness in California, directly to the voters. Faulconer was the only big-city California Mayor who successfully reduced homelessness in his city using an “all-of-the-above” approach.
San Diego implemented the largest expansion of homeless services in City history with four bridge shelters, the expansion of safe parking lots and storage centers, a new Housing Navigation Center and more. Those efforts resulted in San Diego being the only major county in California where homelessness went down last year.
Bumbles, bungles and fumbles:
Local government real estate “debacles” have plagued San Diego. Voice of San Diego reported, “On Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s watch, multiple real estate acquisitions devolved into scandal, costing the city time and taxpayer money.” The three deals “were characterized by problems that could have been avoided,” including a lack of scrutiny, issues that weren’t flagged before they were approved by the City Council, costly delays, and uncertainty for city employees and taxpayers.”
The City also rushed to purchase a building for the Homeless Navigation Center, of which many say the city significantly overpaid.
Can He Do It?
Coming into office after a major uproar is right in Faulconer’s wheelhouse – he’s done it twice so far – and can back that up by being reelected after the special election in the same position despite having a majority of Democrat voters in the election. He’s a proven candidate, with many outlets calling him the GOP’s best shot at taking back the Governor’s seat in California, but he may face some heat from some on the right for some liberal and libertarian views.
View Comments (40)
Comrades
No politicians...proven private business disrupter and cost cutter need only apply.....
Make California Great Again - Trump for Govenor!
That would be AWESOME????????
The guy is a R.I.N.O. Worked against Trump, as per Katy's book.
Ca GOP get a clue! Jackie Lacy for Governor!! For all of the obvious reasons!
Former Mayor Faulcomer will get governor Newson reelected, this is a democrat vs democrat, game of thornes
https://faulconerfailures.org/
Compiled by Reform California, Carl Demaio's group. Demaio is a San Diego resident.
Yup. Cox is better. Businessman, attorney, accountant. and NOT Establishment like Faulconer.
Giving citizenship to illegal? that alone turns me off, NEVER reward bad behavior. NEVER.
Carpetbagger Cox should go back to Chicago....
We really do not need another fake conservative rhino. Compassionate conservative screams globalist leftist.
OK, but this guy has actually won an election in a major California city. Chances are anyone who isn't a RINO in your eyes wouldn't get 30% if "yes" on the recall prevails, in which case we'd be trading Newsom for someone like Hilda Solis.
????
Thats correct
No thank you.
Edward Ring for Governor of California! He wrote an excellent article for the Globe the other day. He would mop the floor with Newsom in a debate. Make it so!
"But Faulconer bolstered his social views by putting more funding into homeless initiatives, being pro-choice, and supporting measures to get illegal immigrants in California citizenship." Faulconer...three strikes and your out. You are no different that most democrats. Next!
Tom McClintock
John Moorlach
Ed Ring
There's the short-list....
Forget McClintock, just another weak repub, thought the election was fair when there was obvious massive election fraud.
Comrades
Once in Swamp no fire in belly. Tom good man and best to continue mucking about in the Swamp.
@ExCaliExpat, I would like to add you to the short list!
What happened to the legal current governor John Cox? Newsom never won, we don't need RINO'S in office they are no different than a democrat. We need someone who fights for us...He's not it.
You're so right. Cox was not a good candidate. I'll never vote for Faulconer, he is a rino.
Cox was a shill. he never supported Trump either. A better choice would be Travis Allen or Kevin Kiley.
You are absolutely correct, Kiley would be an excellent Governor!
Yup, I am all for Cox. I watched him on OAN, solid. Real conservative. NOT Establishment type.
Google him! He is a former Chicago Democrat!
Not this liberal San Diego Mayor. Good article????????
A RINO with a track record
Exactly, maybe you need to run before they put another RINO in.