Democrats running for governor will talk about plans for state’s biggest concerns

JOHN CHIANG johnchiang.com Age: 55 Residence: Torrance (Los Angeles County)

Elective offices: State Board of Equalization (1997-2007), state controller (2007-15), state treasurer (2015 to present) Cash on hand as of June 30: $9 million

Endorsements: Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County), Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park (Los Angeles County), Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles County)

Path to victory: Despite nearly 20 years in public office, Chiang isn’t particularly well-known, which might not be a bad thing, since it enables him to introduce himself to the state as a fresh figure. The son of Taiwanese immigrants, he’s also able to tap into the growing political clout of the state’s Asian American community.

Liabilities: Chiang’s time in politics has been spent in a succession of “green eyeshade” jobs — Board of Equalization, controller, treasurer — that don’t provide the type of wide-ranging executive experience some of his opponents have.

DELAINE EASTIN delaineforgovernor.com Age: 70 Residence: Davis Elective offices: Union City City Council (1980-86), state Assembly (1986-94), state superintendent of public instruction (1995-2003) Cash on hand as of June 30: $106,723

Endorsements: state Superindent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, National Women’s Political Caucus California, NorCal4OurRevolution

Path to victory: As the only woman to serve as superintendent of public instruction, education is a main focus. She has experience working in the Legislature and as a statewide official.

Liabilities: It’s been more than a decade since she held office, and her name recognition is low. She’s had trouble raising money. K-12 education, which she oversaw as the state’s schools chief, is not a top priority of voters, according to a Berkeley IGS Poll taken in September.

GAVIN NEWSOM gavinnewsom.com Age: 49 Residence: Kentfield Elected office: San Francisco supervisor (1997-2004), San Francisco mayor (2004-11), state lieutenant governor (2011 to present) Cash on hand as of June 30: $16 million

Endorsements: San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, California Teachers Association, California Nurses Association, California Teachers Association

Path to victory: High name recognition, thanks in part to having championed ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana and strengthen gun controls. Strong support in progressive community for leadership on same-sex marriage while mayor of San Francisco and support of single-payer Medicare for All.

Liabilities: His progressive stands help him with coastal voters and the well-to-do, but not in the Central Valley and Inland Empire or among those earning less than $40,000 a year.

ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA antonioforcalifornia.com Age: 64 Residence: Los Angeles Elective office: State Assembly (1994-2000), Los Angeles City Council (2003-05), Los Angeles mayor (2005-13) Cash on hand as of June 30: $4.76 million

Endorsements: California Latino Legislative Caucus, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, former Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina

Path to victory: Villaraigosa’s eight years as Los Angeles mayor give him huge name ID in Southern California. He’s the lone Latino in the race so far, a potential advantage among the state’s sizable contingent of Latino voters.

Liabilities: A nasty divorce after a 2007 affair with a TV news reporter won’t help, nor will his long-running disputes with the unions that are a major source of support for Democratic campaigns.