Cox gets Trump’s plug for governor

President Trump gave Republican John Cox the endorsement he’s wished for Friday, supplying the San Diego- area businessman with an instant boost in the June 5 primary for governor.

“California finally deserves a great Governor, one who understands borders, crime and lowering taxes,” the president said in an afternoon tweet. “John Cox is the man — he’ll be the best Governor you’ve ever had. I fully endorse John Cox for Governor and look forward to working with him to Make California Great Again!”

That’s heady stuff for a GOP candidate who didn’t even vote for Trump in the November 2016 election — he backed Libertarian Gary Johnson, although he’s been apologizing for that since his campaign began.

“I wasn’t sure ( Trump) was a conservative,” Cox said during a San Jose debate earlier this month. “Now I know. He’s a conservative.”

For Cox, who’s been working to position himself as the GOP alternative to a host of bigname — and deep- pocketed — Democrats, Trump’s endorsement gives him a chance to put away underfunded Republican opponent Travis Allen. The Orange County assemblyman has argued that he is the real conservative in the race.

“I am honored and deeply grateful to my president and I am looking forward to working with him to make California great again,” Cox said in a statement. “Like the president, I’m a businessman who knows how to get things done. We’re going to secure the border, empower California small businesses, lower taxes, and make our state affordable.” Allen wasn’t so grateful. “CALIFORNIANS DESERVE A GREAT GOVERNOR,” Allen tweeted. “One who actually VOTED for President @ realDonaldTrump - @ JoinTravisAllen.”

Cox also got endorsements from House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

The next step for Cox is to make sure every Republican and conservative- leaning independent knows he’s the president’s choice and gets behind him in the primary, where only the top two finishers, regardless of party, advance to the November ballot.

Running under the president’s political umbrella could be enough for a strong finish by Cox in the primary — particularly if Democratic votes are split among the party’s four major candidates.