The back bencher candidate in the California Governors race has surged to the lead - the reason why might tell us a lot about 2028 and what the Democratic Party needs
Mike, thank you for getting up early on a Saturday morning to go do this important work. While I'm not a California voter, your method/methodology could be used in other places. I suspect we have an anti-establishment sentiment going on with distrust of our national political parties. You can feel it when your Republican neighbors joined in the No Kings Rallies. Keep up the good work and thank you for what you're doing for us.
Bob I think you’re exactly right! I’m glad that was coming through the story (I’m new to all of this). It’s clear to me that the instruments were using aren’t capturing public sentiment in a way that is meaningful
My husband has always been interested in politics but his main concern were about the process. You were right when you pointed out that the Democratic party should embrace the number of candidates in this race rather than try to chase candidates out of the race. I wonder how many people in the audience were Bernie voters or didn't vote at all in 2024.
My husband and I do not always vote for the same person. However, each of us often votes third party in an attempt to get the candidate matching funds. This time the first person I did ask his opinion of was Becerra. It just so happened that my husband was considering voting for him as well.
Xavier Becerra was my first choice, but when Swalwell got the race I felt I had to support him because he had the best chance of winning. But I have to say I am so happy to have Becerra at the top. The man is very experienced and he will be a great governor.
You kept a cool head when many of us were wringing our hands at the possibility of 2 republicans on the ballot. I think the inclination was to clear the field before anyone else had a chance to play. That's no way to rally to the polls.
I don't know enough about Becerra to say that I'm all in (yet), but I appreciate what this means for the primary.
My partner and I were discussing what we perceive as a recent “shift” in the air. It’s intangible but palpable. What we sense is that the “we need somebody from outside government to run things” mantra is fading out. We got what we wished for (an outsider with no experience) with the presidency and it has been an unmitigated disaster. We got burned and the price for the shiny new thing was too high. We’re exhausted and frustrated by the incompetence and the chaos of having people who know nothing about how government is supposed to work in charge. There appears to be a growing feeling that maybe we *do need people who have experience doing the work we elect them to do. I mean, I could have the best dentist in the world but I wouldn’t have him operate on my brain, verdad?
Appreciate this story. I've seen so much about Javier surging in the polls on Social Media in the past week. So much so, it felt inauthentic, and propagandized. This widens my lens and gives me hope the race is just beginning.
Mike, great job with the video. It was really well done. I'm so grateful to hear the word "experience" being used so often. There are major issues to deal with in California that will need the attention of someone with the experience and background to take them seriously. On another note, is it just me or have the two Republican candidates reached their peaks? I know there are a lot of undecideds left, but I've not seen there numbers change more than a point or two for several weeks.
Californian here! 🐻💪🏽 Thank you for bringing this to Substack. I am definitely supporting Xavier Becerra and I hope he continues to surge in the polls.
What a fabulous choice of moderator! What a refreshing group of serious candidates with real views. California will be fortunate in choosing any of the participants. If I were a CA resident my vote would be for Becerra or Betty Yee. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Appreciated your coverage on this, Mike! In my opinion the CA gubernatorial race will be foundational for the national Democratic Party as it reshapes. The voters will decide, as they should, and it seems like you interviewed some insightful constituents. Good to see people embrace the process.
I’ve been with Beccera since he announced. I was resigning myself to the fact that I was gonna have to vote for Swalwell, having a gut feeling he was a creep. I am so energized now and so excited to vote in June now.
So I moved to Orange Co from Whittier in 4th grade (1973)
Wow what a different world. My friends were not fully conservative, but many were. Still a MAGA hotbed. 🤮
I was undecided until yesterday in the Governor's race. No one really had my interest after Katie Porter's anger management issues. There was something about Swawell that just didn’t sit with me. I had NOT heard any of the rumors about his escapades.
I watched the debate last night. The two who got my attention were Becerra and Yee. They both have the background. I figure Betty would have a hard time capturing the hearts and minds cause she's all substance and Zero flash. But I still wanted to look at her more. My female friend circle is very smart and savvy. They would look at her too, just as I was. But now I see she has withdrawn. I still think she has a lot to offer.
So for now it seems Becerra.
He's got the experience. Not flashy. Seems even-keel and measured. In a good way.
Cause it's the Primary, I will not vote ahead. Too much can happen last minute. It seems that if Becerra had any serious baggage, it would have come out by now. But that is just how I deal with the primary.
Yay! I’m so glad! I liked Becerra from the start, but thought it was Swalwell’s race for awhile. Then the scandals broke and now we’re back to the stronger choice all along. From watching the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce debate, I thought he came across as likable, both substance and style, and most importantly, a fighter for regular Californians. He’s been doing it all his career! I thought Mahan did well too at the debate. I liked a lot of his ideas. They were practical, actionable and no-nonsense. But he didn’t have the charisma that other candidates had. Steve Hilton gave me the ick. But it would be a mistake to underestimate him. He’s slick like a car salesman. He knows how to package the same putrid MAGA policies and rhetoric with cute little bows of rebranding names. There’s nothing affordable about what he’s proposing. It’s all bullying and punching down on groups he doesn’t like. The questions were about what he would do to solve a problem. He turned every answer into who’s to blame. The same hateful, Trump-aligned ideology, now in a British accent. Hilton is icky.
See my comment above. I worked for him as a peon in the DOJ IT department when he was AG. He came and thanked us personally in a small team, closed door meet and greet after we brought in a major high profilr project within the deadline. He came across as genuine, normal and empathetic. 35 years in State government. That was not normal, it was unheard of - a pol thanking and personally connecting with the "little people". He's a good guy, really. I shook hands, took a pic, and spoke with him. Impressed. And I'm a cynic about pols after having served the legislature. Govs office etc during my long career. So he x was a surprising breath of fresh air. Now, do I think the people he sometimes has to delegate to and rely on are the same embedded political animals? Yes. I despised his chief of staff who normally did the messaging during Bacerra's tenure as AG. His chief was obviously the status quo, slimy pol class and, surprise, surprise he got caught dipping into Bacerra's campaign funds last year. But Bacerra? He's down to earth, the real deal. Let's elect him and hope he's gotten a little less naive about the sharks that inhabit the waters around him. The alternative is Tech Bros, nepo babies or crazy, performative chest beaters that have no experience with how real people struggle to survive.
Mike, thank you for getting up early on a Saturday morning to go do this important work. While I'm not a California voter, your method/methodology could be used in other places. I suspect we have an anti-establishment sentiment going on with distrust of our national political parties. You can feel it when your Republican neighbors joined in the No Kings Rallies. Keep up the good work and thank you for what you're doing for us.
Bob I think you’re exactly right! I’m glad that was coming through the story (I’m new to all of this). It’s clear to me that the instruments were using aren’t capturing public sentiment in a way that is meaningful
My husband has always been interested in politics but his main concern were about the process. You were right when you pointed out that the Democratic party should embrace the number of candidates in this race rather than try to chase candidates out of the race. I wonder how many people in the audience were Bernie voters or didn't vote at all in 2024.
My husband and I do not always vote for the same person. However, each of us often votes third party in an attempt to get the candidate matching funds. This time the first person I did ask his opinion of was Becerra. It just so happened that my husband was considering voting for him as well.
Our Revolution the Bernie led pack endorsed Steyer the billionaire! I don’t understand this at all.
Because zTax the Rich and Medicare for all are big pieces of his agenda.
When Becerra was Attorney General, he filed over 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration, so he's got that going for him.
Xavier Becerra was my first choice, but when Swalwell got the race I felt I had to support him because he had the best chance of winning. But I have to say I am so happy to have Becerra at the top. The man is very experienced and he will be a great governor.
You kept a cool head when many of us were wringing our hands at the possibility of 2 republicans on the ballot. I think the inclination was to clear the field before anyone else had a chance to play. That's no way to rally to the polls.
I don't know enough about Becerra to say that I'm all in (yet), but I appreciate what this means for the primary.
Also, great video!
My partner and I were discussing what we perceive as a recent “shift” in the air. It’s intangible but palpable. What we sense is that the “we need somebody from outside government to run things” mantra is fading out. We got what we wished for (an outsider with no experience) with the presidency and it has been an unmitigated disaster. We got burned and the price for the shiny new thing was too high. We’re exhausted and frustrated by the incompetence and the chaos of having people who know nothing about how government is supposed to work in charge. There appears to be a growing feeling that maybe we *do need people who have experience doing the work we elect them to do. I mean, I could have the best dentist in the world but I wouldn’t have him operate on my brain, verdad?
Haha. Well put. As I said in the interview with him. He does seem to be the “Insider and outsider” at the same time
Appreciate this story. I've seen so much about Javier surging in the polls on Social Media in the past week. So much so, it felt inauthentic, and propagandized. This widens my lens and gives me hope the race is just beginning.
Thank you! It’s definitely organic - how long it lasts is anybody’s guess but it’s definitely capturing this moment in time for the voters
Mike, great job with the video. It was really well done. I'm so grateful to hear the word "experience" being used so often. There are major issues to deal with in California that will need the attention of someone with the experience and background to take them seriously. On another note, is it just me or have the two Republican candidates reached their peaks? I know there are a lot of undecideds left, but I've not seen there numbers change more than a point or two for several weeks.
Thank you Mark. Appreciate your supportive words 🙏🏼
Californian here! 🐻💪🏽 Thank you for bringing this to Substack. I am definitely supporting Xavier Becerra and I hope he continues to surge in the polls.
What a fabulous choice of moderator! What a refreshing group of serious candidates with real views. California will be fortunate in choosing any of the participants. If I were a CA resident my vote would be for Becerra or Betty Yee. Thank you for sharing this with us.
How tied/beholden to Trump would Hilton be? Is there a chance he will be elected?
Thanks, Mike! I've been waiting all last week for your take. And hey, you're pretty good at these non data assessments. Great video too. Keep it up!
Thanks Amy 🙏🏼
Appreciated your coverage on this, Mike! In my opinion the CA gubernatorial race will be foundational for the national Democratic Party as it reshapes. The voters will decide, as they should, and it seems like you interviewed some insightful constituents. Good to see people embrace the process.
I’ve been with Beccera since he announced. I was resigning myself to the fact that I was gonna have to vote for Swalwell, having a gut feeling he was a creep. I am so energized now and so excited to vote in June now.
So I moved to Orange Co from Whittier in 4th grade (1973)
Wow what a different world. My friends were not fully conservative, but many were. Still a MAGA hotbed. 🤮
I was undecided until yesterday in the Governor's race. No one really had my interest after Katie Porter's anger management issues. There was something about Swawell that just didn’t sit with me. I had NOT heard any of the rumors about his escapades.
I watched the debate last night. The two who got my attention were Becerra and Yee. They both have the background. I figure Betty would have a hard time capturing the hearts and minds cause she's all substance and Zero flash. But I still wanted to look at her more. My female friend circle is very smart and savvy. They would look at her too, just as I was. But now I see she has withdrawn. I still think she has a lot to offer.
So for now it seems Becerra.
He's got the experience. Not flashy. Seems even-keel and measured. In a good way.
Cause it's the Primary, I will not vote ahead. Too much can happen last minute. It seems that if Becerra had any serious baggage, it would have come out by now. But that is just how I deal with the primary.
So for now, it's Becerra.
Thank you for all of your insight.
Valerie
Thank you for covering this Mike. At some point can you discuss who is the money behind the candidates? Thanks!
I 2nd that request
Yay! I’m so glad! I liked Becerra from the start, but thought it was Swalwell’s race for awhile. Then the scandals broke and now we’re back to the stronger choice all along. From watching the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce debate, I thought he came across as likable, both substance and style, and most importantly, a fighter for regular Californians. He’s been doing it all his career! I thought Mahan did well too at the debate. I liked a lot of his ideas. They were practical, actionable and no-nonsense. But he didn’t have the charisma that other candidates had. Steve Hilton gave me the ick. But it would be a mistake to underestimate him. He’s slick like a car salesman. He knows how to package the same putrid MAGA policies and rhetoric with cute little bows of rebranding names. There’s nothing affordable about what he’s proposing. It’s all bullying and punching down on groups he doesn’t like. The questions were about what he would do to solve a problem. He turned every answer into who’s to blame. The same hateful, Trump-aligned ideology, now in a British accent. Hilton is icky.
See my comment above. I worked for him as a peon in the DOJ IT department when he was AG. He came and thanked us personally in a small team, closed door meet and greet after we brought in a major high profilr project within the deadline. He came across as genuine, normal and empathetic. 35 years in State government. That was not normal, it was unheard of - a pol thanking and personally connecting with the "little people". He's a good guy, really. I shook hands, took a pic, and spoke with him. Impressed. And I'm a cynic about pols after having served the legislature. Govs office etc during my long career. So he x was a surprising breath of fresh air. Now, do I think the people he sometimes has to delegate to and rely on are the same embedded political animals? Yes. I despised his chief of staff who normally did the messaging during Bacerra's tenure as AG. His chief was obviously the status quo, slimy pol class and, surprise, surprise he got caught dipping into Bacerra's campaign funds last year. But Bacerra? He's down to earth, the real deal. Let's elect him and hope he's gotten a little less naive about the sharks that inhabit the waters around him. The alternative is Tech Bros, nepo babies or crazy, performative chest beaters that have no experience with how real people struggle to survive.