Here’s the latest news out of California:
With only three weeks before the midterm election, a poll done by SurveyUSA shows that Gavin Newsom leads John Cox in the governor's race and that the 2017 gas tax may be repealed with the passage of Proposition 6.
In the survey, 762 likely voters were asked how they would vote in the governor's race and Gavin Newsom came out with 52 percent of the vote, while Cox got 35 percent and 14 percent of those polled were undecided.
But of those voting for Cox, 65 percent said they were enthusiastic about their vote for him, while only 57 percent of those voting for Newsom were enthusiastic. And only 26 percent of those who voted for Cox had reservations compared to 30 percent who had reservations voting for Newsom.
Cox also narrowly leads Newsom in the Central Valley and Inland Empire, but Newsom leads by 18 points in greater Los Angeles and 47 points in the Bay Area.
The poll also found U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D. CA) leading Kevin de Leon (D. CA) by 14 points. Newsom is clearly the best person for the job and The Los Angeles Times makes a great case for him in their endorsement:
Even as lieutenant governor, a largely ceremonial job, Newsom was able to use his position to persuade voters to pass ballot measures to tighten state gun controls and to legalize recreational marijuana. As an ex officio member of the University of California Board of Regents, he distinguished himself by consistently opposing tuition increases and pushing budgeting efficiencies.
As governor, he says, it would be a priority to establish universal preschool and expand prenatal care as part of a package to improve educational outcomes for Californians.
Readers may recall that the Los Angeles Times editorial board endorsed former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the June gubernatorial primary. But Newsom was a close second choice. Our quibbles — about his squishiness on high-speed rail and the future of single-payer healthcare in the state, among other things — remain. We noted that some critics called him a whirlwind of ambition, and that some wondered just what he stood for. We hope he will buckle down in this job and articulate a clear and achievable agenda for the state.
The next governor will face a severe housing crisis, crumbling infrastructure, enormous unfunded pension liabilities, failing schools, rampant homelessness and regular mudslides, floods and mega-fires. California cannot afford a dilettante or an amateur. It needs a seasoned leader who is savvy and charismatic, politically adroit, compassionate and innovative.
Newsom is ready to be California’s next governor. Cox is not. It’s that simple.
Let’s make sure the Blue Wave hits California hard. Click below to donate and get involved with Newsom and his fellow California Democrats campaigns:
Gavin Newsom for Governor
Eleni Kounalakis for Lt. Governor
Dianne Feinstein for Senate
Xavier Becerra for Attorney General
Alex Padilla for Secretary of State
Fiona Ma for Treasurer
Josh Harder for Congress
Katie Hill for Congress
Gil Cisneros for Congress
Katie Porter for Congress
Harley Rouda for Congress
Mike Levin for Congress
Jessica Morse for Congress
TJ Cox for Congress
Andrew Janz for Congress
Ammar Campa-Najjar for Congress