It was the personal touch that won over Jay Luchs when Antonio Villaraigosa a Democrat making his second run for California governor called to talk about real estate. I respect him for picking up the phone and calling me to talk business personally and it made me interested in supporting him, Luchs, executive vice chairman at Newmark in Los Angeles, said via email. Plus there's the former Los Angeles mayor's stance on Measure ULA, a property tax which is criticized by developers in California for increasing the cost of and slowing the pace of development, despite being intended to fund housing solutions.
The Whittier Democrat is framing his candidacy as one from a "new generation of leadership." He was 27 when he became the first millennial to be elected to the state Assembly in 2012. But he was no newcomer even then - Calderon comes from a line of politicians from southeast Los Angeles County. His father, Charles Calderon, started the dynasty when he was elected to the Assembly in 1982.
While cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles - even the suburban expanse of Orange County - have launched public servants into the Horseshoe in Sacramento, Northern California's largest city has long struggled to see one of its own take the office. That's an eyebrow-raising record considering the economic and political clout San Jose amassed as Silicon Valley's capital. Moreover, Grasty's announcement comes after Mayor Matt Mahan built considerable governor hype - crafting statewide name recognition through policy pushes and Newsom naysaying -
Villaraigosa and Bass, both Democrats, have known each other for 52 years and often crossed paths while working on advocacy issues in Los Angeles before either held elected office. The longtime allies have a history of endorsing each other when running for office. Calling Villaraigosa her brother from another mother, Bass on Tuesday, Sept. 9, said she decided to endorse him the minute Antonio Villaraigosa decided to step in the race for governor in July 2024.
Cal Fire It could all change with a bad heat wave, but California's summer fire season has been modest so far, with total acres burned this year down 10% from this time last year and 50% lower than the 5-year average. Stephen Cloobeck Beverly Hills Democrat and former timeshare company CEO put more than $10 million of his own money into the race for California governor.
