State of California Archives: on Principles & Values
Alex Padilla:
Son of Mexican immigrants; taught him value of education
My parents, Ernesto and Lupe Padilla, came to California in 1968. They met in Los Angeles, both recently arrived from Mexico. They got married and applied for green cards in that order.
I grew up in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. It was there my parents taught us about the value of education. They taught us that no matter who you are or where you live you can be anything. That's the California Dream I was raised to believe in.
Source: 2022 California Senate campaign website Alex-Padilla.com
Dec 23, 2020
Alex Padilla:
Became a teenage activist on crime, environmental racism
It was the conditions in his neighborhood growing up and the feeling that the Northeast Valley was always overlooked and left behind that awakened Alex's political activism.
As a teenager, he had helped organize neighbors to take back the streets from crime. At the age of 15, he joined his mother to protest environmental racism and demand closure of the Lopez Canyon Landfill.
Source: 2022 California Senate campaign website Alex-Padilla.com
Dec 23, 2020
Alex Padilla:
Dedicated to having as an inclusive democracy as possible
Padilla sees his life as a "full circle": "I started off as a young man trying to organize, to register people to vote to today, where I serve as the chief elections officer for the state of California.
If Proposition 187 was an attempt by some to exclude Latinos and others from the California dream, I am dedicating myself to have as an inclusive democracy as possible."
Source: KCET San Bernadino on 2022 California Senate race
Oct 21, 2020
Alex Padilla:
What drives my public service passion are issues of equity
What drives my public service passion since day one is issues of equity. The inequities that I've witnessed as a young Latino growing up in Los Angeles, you know, born in the '70s, kind of raised in the '80s and '90s,
it was not always an easy experience to go through. And really inspired by the movement against Proposition 187, Latino scapegoating, anti-immigrant measure in the state of California.
Source: Washington Post on 2022 California Senate race
Mar 23, 2021
Arnold Schwarzenegger:
It is time to return California to the people
“I come from Austria, a socialist country. There you can hear 18-year- olds talking about their pension....
Individualism is incompatible with socialism. I felt I had to come to America where the government wasn’t always breathing down your neck or standing on your shoes.”
California became a beacon for the rest of the nation and the world.But today we are in a different place. There is an enormous disconnect between the people of California and the politicians of California.
We the people, are doing our job--working hard, paying our taxes and raising our families. They, the politicians are not doing their job. They fiddle, they fumble, and they fail.
It is time to return California to the people.
Source: Californians for Schwarzenegger website, www.JoinArnold.com
Aug 18, 2003
Brian Dahle:
I pledge to tell you the truth, restore power, work hard
I Pledge:- TELL YOU THE TRUTH: It's time we know the truth about why Sacramento is failing and what can be done to fix it and turn this state around.
- RESTORE THE POWER TO THE PEOPLE: One party has ruled over California for 25 years.
It's time for a change. I will restore power to the people and common sense to Sacramento.
- WORK HARD FOR YOU: It's time to hold Sacramento accountable for the crushing regulations and wasteful spending. No more excuses, we will get results.
Source: 2022 California Governor campaign website BrianDahle.com
Feb 21, 2022
Caitlyn Jenner:
Conservative on economy; progressive on social issues
I love this country. I'm a patriot. I love this state. The state's done so much for me over the years, and I've watched it crumble right in front of my eyes. And you've got to stand up, you know? And so, I knew it would not be easy. I knew it would be
tough. But you know what? California's worth fighting for, and that's what I'm doing.I have always been on the Republican side, just because I have conservative economic values. You know, the old saying, lower taxes, less regulations,
you know, a more friendly business environment, and we don't have that in California. But socially, I've been much more progressive all my life. I get it. People do need help. You know, we need programs.
But you cannot have social programs without an economy -- doesn't happen. You just don't have the finances to do it.
Source: Fox News interview: 2021 California Governor recall race
May 6, 2021
Caitlyn Jenner:
I don't like labels, I'm kind of middle of the road
[On political party]: "We label everybody. I don't like labels. I'm me, OK?" Jenner added. "Just because I have conservative economic philosophy -- that's the only thing that the Republicans are kind of on that I'm on. ... I don't know. Maybe you call
me a libertarian. Maybe you call me in the middle. I really don't know because when it comes to social issues, I'm much more progressive, much more liberal. So I'm kind of a middle of the road.""I didn't even vote," Jenner [said, referring to the
2020 presidential election]. "I didn't see any propositions that I really had one side or the other. And so it was Election Day and I just couldn't get excited about it. And I just wound up going to play golf and I said, 'I'm not doing that.' "
Jenner did actually vote by mail in the 2020 elections, but she only voted on the ballot propositions and did not vote in the presidential race or other down ballot races, according to a campaign official.
Source: CNN Politics on 2021 California Governor recall race
May 12, 2021
David Hadley:
Social moderate and fiscal conservative
Arguing that California is at a crucial crossroads, Republican David Hadley is announcing a bid to be the state's next governor. The former assemblyman, who voted against Donald Trump in the fall, is a social moderate and fiscal conservative whose
2018 candidacy could galvanize the GOP establishment in a state where it is at a significant disadvantage."I've decided that I can fill an important role in this election, I think we can win this race,
I think we can bring important changes and important reforms to California, and I think I'm the right guy to do it," Hadley told The Times. "We can't have this race be a debate between a Democrat and a socialist."
He didn't specify about whom his remarks were directed at, but the best-known Democratic hopefuls in the race are Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2018 California gubernatorial race
May 21, 2018
Dianne Feinstein:
Asked state Dems to not endorse, but they endorsed opponent
California Democratic Party leaders took a step to the left, endorsing liberal state lawmaker Kevin de Le¢n for Senate in a stinging rebuke of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. De Le¢n's victory reflected the increasing strength of the state party's
liberal activist core, which was energized by the election of Republican Donald Trump as president.The endorsement was an embarrassment for Feinstein, who is running for a fifth full term, and indicates that Democratic activists in California have
soured on her reputation for pragmatism & deference to bipartisanship.
De Le¢n received 65% of the vote of about 330 members of the state party's executive board-- more than the 60% needed to secure the endorsement. Feinstein 7%, and 28% voted for "no
endorsement."
The Feinstein campaign weeks ago launched an aggressive effort to persuade Democrats in Oakland to vote "no endorsement" in the Senate race, flooding delegates with calls and text messages and drafting the help of political surrogates.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2018 California Senate race
Jul 14, 2018
Gavin Newsom:
Strict separation of church and state
I'm glad we can so vigorously agree on the need to keep a clear,
unwavering separation of church and state.
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 California gubernatorial race
Jun 11, 2017
James Bradley:
Cardi B's "WAP" made me want to pour holy water in my ears
Bradley claimed to have heard the Cardi/Meg collab "accidentally," but it clearly unnerved him. "Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion are what happens when children are raised without God and without a strong father figure,"
[he] wrote on Twitter. "Their new 'song' The #WAP (which i heard accidentally) made me want to pour holy water in my ears and I feel sorry for future girls if this is their role model!"
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2022 California Senate race
Aug 7, 2020
Jerry Brown:
Proclaim May 2 as California "Day of Prayer"
Each year, in accordance with Public Law 100-307, the President proclaims the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer.A National Day of Prayer is an occasion for each of us to reflect more deeply on the eternal verities and those matters
which transcend our everyday routines. Through prayer, one opens the heart and stills the mind so that the Divine Presence may be directly encountered.
I encourage Californians to participate in this day in the manner that is most appropriate to their own religious or spiritual beliefs and experience.
NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim
May 2, 2013, as a "Day of Prayer" in California.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 1st day of May 2013.
Source: California governor's website press release
May 2, 2013
Kamala Harris:
First Indian-American to serve in the U.S. Senate
Kamala Harris' win will make her the first Indian American to serve in the U.S. Senate. She will also be just the second black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, and the first black senator from California.Harris' race and ethnicity were never a
focal point of the contest, which she was projected to win handily. Many people focused more on the possibility that California might have elected the first Latina to the Senate if Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Orange) had won.
Harris' mother,
Dr. Shyamala Harris, emigrated from India. Her father, Donald Harris, emigrated from Jamaica. According to the U.S. Senate's website, just nine black Americans have ever served in the Senate. Democrat Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois became the first
black woman to serve in the body in 1993. A handful of Indian Americans have served in the U.S. House, including California's Dalip Singh Saund from 1957 to 1963 and current Rep. Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove), who was first elected in 2012.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2016 California Senate race results
Nov 9, 2016
Larry Elder:
Our government is what's ruining the Golden State
Elder says: "I'm running for governor because the decline of California isn't the fault of its people. Our government is what's ruining the Golden State. Our schools are closed to both students and their parents. Our streets aren't safe from rising
violent crime or the disaster of rising homelessness. And the scandals of Sacramento aren't going to stop on their own. It's time to tell the truth. We've got a state to save."
Source: 2021 California Governor campaign website ElectElder.com
Jul 22, 2021
Larry Elder:
My parents taught this great truth: Hard work wins
I am a Pico/Union, South-Central boy. I walked those hard streets. My two brothers and I were motivated by the dreams and goals of my mother and my father--who always taught us this great truth: Hard work wins. You get out of life what you put into it.
You cannot control the outcome, but you are 100% in control of the effort. And finally, my parents taught us that no matter how hard we worked, how good we were, how we deal with bad things that happen will define our character.
Source: 2021 California Governor campaign website ElectElder.com
Jul 22, 2021
Mark Meuser:
Vote twice: short-term and long-term Senate on same ballot
Please share to educate California voters:When Kamala Harris became Vice President, she resigned her Senate seat. The U.S. Constitution permits Gavin Newsom to appoint her successor but that appointment is only valid until Election Day (November 8th).
As such, I am on your ballot twice, once for the short term which covers November 9th to January 3. This means California can end the 50/50 Senate and make sure there is no lame duck session after the #RedWave2022.
You can vote for me a second time for the full term that begins January 3rd.
I am the only challenger to Gavin Newsom's appointed Senator who purchased a ballot statement for both the short term and the full term.
Do not split your vote, #VoteTwice for me to be your United States Senator.
Source: 2022 California Senate campaign website MarkMeuser.com
Jun 12, 2022
Mark Meuser:
Compared seized Trump documents to raid on Obama
A Republican candidate is facing criticism after comparing the FBI's raid of Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence to hypothetical law enforcement action against top Democrats. "Imagine the backlash if while he was in office,
Trump had Obama's home raided and AOC's phone seized," Mark Meuser, a constitutional and election law attorney, wrote in a Twitter post. "Are you tired of the double standard?" he added.
Source: Newsweek magazine on 2022 California Senate race
Aug 11, 2022
Mark Meuser:
Calls those saying he can't win "uncircumcised Philistines"
Rev. Jerry Cook set the stage for "meet the candidates" at Freedom's Way Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, California. Meuser invoked a term David used to describe Goliath before killing the giant: "Many people say, hey, you live in
California, the home of the fruits, the nuts, and the flakes. You have no chance to win. And every time somebody tells me I have no chance I mutter under my breath, another uncircumcised Philistine."
Source: Word & Way on 2022 California Senate race
Aug 30, 2022
Michael Eisen:
Ran and lost for Student Council and Genetics Board
Q: Why are you running?A: My motivation was simple. I'm worried that the basic and critical role of science in policymaking is under a bigger threat than at any point in my lifetime. We have a new administration and portions of Congress that don't
just reject science in a narrow sense, but they reject the fundamental idea that undergirds science: That we need to make observations about the world and make our decisions based on reality, not on what we want it to be.
For years science has been under political threat, but this is the first time that the whole notion that science is important for our politics and our country has been under such an obvious threat.
Q: Have you ever run for anything?
A: Student council in high school.
Q: Did you win?
A: No. I also ran for a spot on the board of the Genetics Society of America, which I also did not win. I've had a long and testy relationship with the scientific establishment.
Source: Science Magazine on 2018 California Senate race
Jan 27, 2017
Norma Torres:
Elected to City Council, State Assembly, and State Senator
I have dedicated my life to serving the people of this community. I have served as a 9-1-1 emergency dispatcher, as a City Councilmember, Mayor, Member of the State Assembly District 61 and District 52, and now as a California State Senator.
I am proud of my long record of representing the Pomona Valley and Inland Empire. From working to secure billions in federal funding to helping families avoid foreclosure, to fighting for better jobs for the Inland Empire,
to forcing state agencies to do a better job in enrolling our families for low cost health care; I have worked hard every day to make government work for the people I represent.In Congress I will continue my fight for better jobs,
to protect families from the fallout from the housing crisis, to improve local transportation infrastructure, protect Medicare and Social Security, and to help Ontario Airport regain its footing as a hub of regional economic activity.
Source: 2014 California House campaign website, NormaTorres.com
Oct 10, 2014
Steve Knight:
Judeo-Christian framework is moral; Shariah is a threat
Q: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution?Knight: Strongly Disagree>
Q: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government?
Knight: Agree
Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values?
Knight: I am a Bible-believing Christian who rests his faith in Jesus Christ, and His ability to change lives through selfless sacrifice and undying love.
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 California House race
Sep 30, 2014
Xavier Becerra:
Appointed as California's first Latino attorney general
Gov. Jerry Brown has tapped House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) to be the next attorney general of California. He will succeed Kamala Harris, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in November.Becerra has served 12 terms in
Congress and was making a bid to become the ranking Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee when Brown called him unexpectedly to offer the job. "It's a phenomenal opportunity," Becerra said. "It means I get to be home a lot more."
Becerra, who is the highest-ranking Latino in Congress, would be the state's first Latino attorney general. He worked in the Civil Division of the attorney general's office from 1987 to 1990 before entering Congress.
A vocal advocate for Hillary
Clinton's presidential bid, Becerra was briefly floated as an option for vice president or a cabinet position. With Clinton's loss Nov. 8 and no upward mobility available in House leadership, Becerra's future political career was unclear.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2016 California Senate race results
Dec 1, 2016
Zoltan Istvan:
I'm pro-choice, pro-small business, and secular
As one of America's leading libertarian politicians, I'm running for Governor to restore equality, fiscal responsibility, and prosperity to California. Born in Los Angeles, I'm an Ivy-league graduate, former National Geographic journalist, successful
Bay Area entrepreneur, and one of the world's top science and technology policy makers. A shortlisted potential running mate of Presidential candidate Governor Gary Johnson,
I have the executive experience to lower taxes, end the drug war, defend your freedoms, and create new jobs. I'm pro-choice, pro-immigration, pro-small business, and secular.
As a husband, father, and citizen, I share your values in seeing California restored with a powerful new vision. Vote Zoltan!
Source: IVP Network on 2018 California gubernatorial race
Mar 20, 2018
Brian Dahle:
On 2020 election: Yes, Biden is our president
Dahle refused to answer directly when The Los Angeles Times asked him in a May article whether Biden was legitimately elected, saying only that Biden is "our president." In late April, the website CalMatters reported that Dahle "notably did not affirm
the 2020 election results, even after CalMatters pushed his team to clarify Dahle's position on Trump's conspiracy theory about widespread voting fraud. In a TV interview a day later, he said: 'Joe Biden is our president, no doubt.'"
Source: CNN on 2020 Election Denial in 2022 California Governor race
Sep 9, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023