Four takeaways from first debate in 2026 California governor’s race

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Posted on 09/30/2024 8:44:39 AM PDT by KingofZion

Four of the top Democrats running for California governor met Sunday morning for the first major candidate forum of the 2026 election, a cordial discussion with few fireworks and almost no jabs at the politician they hope to succeed, Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The forum in downtown San Francisco... featured gubernatorial candidates Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, state Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego and former state Controller Betty Yee.

***The four candidates were repeatedly pressed over Newsom’s track record and how they may govern differently. They mostly sided with Newsom — and with each other — including on the death penalty (they all oppose it) and California’s policy to phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 (they all support it).

All four also said they would sign legislation granting striking workers access to state unemployment benefits, a top priority for California’s powerful organized labor movement. Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year, saying that expanding benefits would make the unemployment trust fund “vulnerable to insolvency.”

The candidates were divided on whether California should have allowed school districts to determine when they reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to public schools in some urban areas remaining closed for months longer than private schools and schools in more rural areas.

***All four candidates said, to varying degrees, that they would pursue a single-payer healthcare system, which would cover all Californians and dramatically reshape the state’s medical coverage.

***All four candidates said their top priority to address California’s soaring cost of living would be building more housing.

***Three of the four candidates avoided trying to take a position on Proposition 36, an initiative on the November ballot that would impose stricter sentences for repetitive theft and offenses involving the deadly drug fentanyl.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...

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If you wonder what Kalifornia's future holds (not good) check out these losers. Every one is a certified liar.

1 posted on 09/30/2024 8:44:39 AM PDT by KingofZion

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