Labor forum hosts governor hopefuls

Six Democrats running for governor next year focused on housing affordability, the cost of living and healthcare cuts as the most daunting issues facing Californians at a labor forum on Saturday in San Diego.

- By SEEMA MEHTA

LEADERS of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees take a photo after a gubernatorial forum Saturday.

Photographs by SEEMA MEHTA Los Angeles Times

Largely in lockstep about these matters, the candidates highlighted their political resumes and life stories to create contrasts and curry favor with attendees.

Former state Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, in his first gubernatorial forum since entering the race in September, leaned into his experience as the first millennial elected to the state Legislature.

“I feel like my experience and my passion uniquely positioned me in this race to ride a lane that nobody else can ride, being a millennial and being young and having a different perspective,” said Calderon, 39.

Concerns about his children’s future as well as the state's reliance on Washington, D.C., drove his decision to run for governor after choosing not to seek reelection to the Legislature in 2020.

“I want [my children] to have opportunity. I want them to have a future. I want life to be better. I want it to be easier,” said Calderon, whose family has deep roots in politics. State leaders must focus “on D.C.-proofing California. We cannot continue to depend on D.C. and expect that they're going to give as—about us and what our needs are, because they don't.”

Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who also served as the state's attorney general after a 24-year stint in Congress, argued it is critical to elect a governor who has experience.

“Would you let someone who's never flown a plane tell you, ‘I can fly that plane back to land’ if they’ve never done it before?” Becerra asked. “Do you give the keys to the governor’s office to someone who hasn’t done this before?”

He contrasted himself with other candidates in the race by invoking a barking chihuahua behind a chainlink fence.