California 2010 - Notable Races
(Photos: top to bottom, left to right) Governor: Jerry Brown (D), Meg Whitman (R), Lt. Governor: Gavin Newsom (D), Abel Maldonado (R), Secretary of State: Debra Bowen (D), Damon Dunn (R), Attorney General: Kamala Harris (D), Steve Cooley (R), Insurance Commissioner: Dave Jones (D), Brian Fitzgerald (R), U.S. Senate: Barbara Boxer (D), Carly Fiorina (R)
The primaries are over and the race to November has begun.
California has a $19 billion budget deficit and its citizens are desire new leadership. Arnold Schwarzenegger campaigned as a fiscal conservative in 2003, but after 7 years as Governor, he has left the Golden State in worse shape than when he came into office. Without a doubt, the two biggest races for California this November will be the race for Governor and U.S. Senate.
Jerry Brown, California’s current Attorney General, was governor from 1975 - 1983. At age 72, he has decided to run again. With no viable opponent in the primary, he did not have to put too much time or money into campaigning. In the general, he will have the muscle and money of the unions behind him, and he’s going to need it. Meg Whitman, former eBay CEO and billionaire, will be tough competition. The approximate $80 million she spent in the primary is evidence of her desire to win and her platform rings true with many Californians. Whitman states that she is running to fix the economy, create jobs, eliminate government waste, and repair California’s broken education system. Her success in the business world will be one of her biggest assets; however, her lack of previous, personal, political involvement may prove be a handicap; although, it didn’t do her too much damage in the primary (she was not registered to vote until 2002).
Barbara Boxer has held her seat as California’s U.S. Senator for 17 years, and she served as a U.S. Representative for 20 years before that. Boxer has been a strong opponent of the Iraq war, big on environmental issues and a long-time supporter of universal healthcare. Carly Fiorina, like Whitman, is a fresh face, successful businesswoman, and she just might give Boxer the fight of her life. She began running an ad attacking Boxer’s position on global warming and national defense during the primary. Senator Boxer has already expressed interest in debating her new opponent; a move that’s rare for incumbents. This truly will be a race to watch.