Candidates, please: in governor’s race, put California first

How to fix California.

That should be the focus of gubernatorial candidates in the runup to the June 2 primary.

Yes, Gov. Gavin Newsom has burnished his national brand — among leftists, anyway — by posing as a world leader and trolling President Trump.

California needs none of that. 

President Trump speaks with California Governor Gavin Newsom upon arrival at LAX on January 24, 2025 to visit the region devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. AFP via Getty Images

Rather, voters would be well-served by a campaign centered on solutions to the troubles plaguing the state.  

Those ills are many, and include chronic high rates of homelessness; a staggering lack of affordability; stubborn housing, water, energy and road-capacity shortages; abysmal public education outcomes; overtaxation — including an absurd proposed billionaire tax; woeful underperformance by state government; rampant fraud; widespread crime; union and other special-interest capture of Sacramento; and more.

Californians need practical solutions to that mess, not would-be governors consumed with Trump, “resistance” or ICE.

Toward that end, the addition to the field of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is welcome; let’s hope he contributes the pragmatic voice that many have predicted.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in San Jose, Calif. MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Yes, federal policy matters and those who aspire to governor will have opinions on national issues. 

But reflexively opposing Trump on every issue is not leadership. It’s not a solution. And it’s not a plan to govern California. 

Voters have a broad range of candidates vying to lead the state for four years.

They deserve a campaign centered squarely on state business.

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Running California, after all, is a full-time gig.

Gubernatorial hopefuls should demonstrate a capacity — and willingness — to do that job, rather than telling the president how to do his.