David Hadley in The Los Angeles Times

On Principles & Values: Social moderate and fiscal conservative

"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.