Statewide contests to watch
This year’s races offer a window into California’s ever-changing political landscape.
The outcome of these closely contested races could shape politics and policies for years to come.
U.S. Senate
Though both of California’s candidates for U.S. Senate are Democrats who agree on many of the same policies, they have each tried to distinguish themselves in the race by highlighting their differences in style and approach.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein is going after a fifth full term in the Senate, looking to extend her 26-year career in Washington. She has emphasized her record in Congress, arguing that she has been able to achieve results under Republican control while her opponent’s accomplishments came as leader in a Legislature controlled by those in his party.
Feinstein, a centrist, says her seniority gives her an edge, citing her resistance against Trump judicial nominees, and work to secure millions in funding to upgrade transportation and water infrastructure, among other things. Her top three priorities in office are achieving universal healthcare, comprehensive immigration reform and reducing gun violence, she said.
State Sen. Kevin de León of Los Angeles is challenging Feinstein from the left, touting his progressive credentials by reminding voters of the liberal causes he advanced during his three years as leader of the California Senate. In a rebuke of Feinstein, the California Democratic Party endorsed De León in July, reflecting the increasing strength of the state party’s liberal activist core.
He is a backer of Medicare for all and has called for the impeachment of President Trump. He authored California’s “sanctuary state” bill, which limits cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration officials, and another signed into law this year that requires the state to get all its electricity from clean power sources by 2045.
Governor
California will soon say goodbye to Gov. Jerry Brown and select a new chief executive — Republican businessman John Cox or Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat.
Cox, 63, has never been elected to public office. He has highlighted his business acumen and political outsider status in his campaign, blaming Sacramento Democrats for the rise in poverty, homelessness and cost of living in the state.
If elected governor, Cox has promised to work toward repeal of California’s sanctuary state law. Cox is opposed to the state’s increased gas tax and vehicle fees, and has made it a focus of his gubernatorial bid. He is chairman of the Proposition 6 campaign committee to repeal the tax increase.
Newsom, 51, has been the state’s lieutenant governor since 2011. Before that he was the mayor of San Francisco, where he made a national name for himself by authorizing same-sex marriages in 2004. The city also adopted a universal healthcare system in 2006.
A vociferous critic of Trump and and his policies, Newsom has earned the ire of the president, who regularly insults the lieutenant governor on the campaign trail.
Newsom was a onetime critic of California’s high-speed rail project but now says he will focus on building the line between the San Joaquin Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area before connecting it to Los Angeles. That leg will be delayed until the initial line proves to be financially feasible and can attract more money from taxpayers or private investors.
He has also criticized the Republican effort to repeal California’s recently approved gas tax increase, saying it is crucial to pay for road and bridge repairs as well as mass transit improvements.
Lieutenant governor
State Sen. Ed Hernandez of Azusa and former U.S. Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis, both Democrats, are vying for the position of lieutenant governor.
Hernandez, an optometrist from the San Gabriel Valley, was first elected to the state Assembly in 2006 and then the state Senate in 2010. Kounalakis, a prominent Democratic Party donor, was appointed ambassador to Hungary by President Obama and has never held public office.
Secretary of state Alex Padilla, a former state senator and Los Angeles City Council member from the San Fernando Valley, is seeking his second term. He spearheaded a new Motor Voter program in 2015 and a new system for online business registrations.
Republican challenger Mark Meuser, an attorney, is running on a campaign to stamp out alleged voter fraud.
Controller
Democrat Betty Yee is seeking another term as state controller, the officer in charge of paying the state’s bills and administering the payroll system for state workers. Republican businessman Konstantinos Roditis of Anaheim is challenging Yee. He is pledging to defund the state’s high-speed rail project.
Treasurer
Republican Greg Conlon and Democrat Fiona Ma are facing off for state treasurer after incumbent John Chiang, a Democrat, ran for governor and lost in the primary. Conlon is a retired certified public accountant who has run for the seat twice before and lost both times. Ma is a former CPA, San Francisco supervisor and state assemblywoman.
Attorney general
Brown appointed then-U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) to replace Kamala Harris as the state’s top cop after she was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016. The Democrat will face Republican Steven Bailey, a retired judge and defense attorney from El Dorado County in Northern California.
Insurance commissioner
Steve Poizner, who held the position as a Republican between 2007 and 2011, is running for the seat again as an independent. If he beats state Sen. Ricardo Lara (DBell Gardens), Poizner would be the first “no party preference” candidate to win statewide office. If Lara is elected, he would also make history as the first statewide elected official to have come out as gay.
Superintendent of public instruction
The state schools chief runs the California Department of Education and executes policies set by the state Board of Education.
Marshall Tuck, an education consultant, ran a charter school organization and was chief executive of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, which managed some low-performing schools. He is being backed by charter supporters.
Tony Thurmond is a former social worker in Bay Area schools. He was elected to the Richmond City Council and the local school board before moving to the Legislature. He is backed by teachers unions.
Board of Equalization
The Board of Equalization is tasked with setting rates for gas taxes and pipeline levies and making sure counties fairly assess property taxes.
District 1: Tom Hallinan (D) and Ted Gaines (R)
District 2: Malia Cohen (D) and Mark Burns (R)
District 3: Tony Vazquez (D) and G. Rick Marshall (R)
District 4: Mike Schaefer (D) and Joel Anderson (R)
javier.panzar@latimes.com Twitter: jpanzar Times staff writers Howard Blume, Patrick McGreevy, Seema Mehta, John Myers, Joy Resmovits, George Skelton, Dakota Smith, Ralph Vartabedian, Sarah D. Wire and Phil Willon contributed to this report.