| Candidates for Governor
In this June Primary Election, a top candidate from each party is being selected to run for Governor against the other parties’ candidates in the November election.
The Governor is the “top boss” in California government. Elected for four years, the Governor:
- Oversees most state departments and agencies
- Approves or rejects new state laws
- Presents an annual budget to the State Legislature
- Appoints judges and department heads
- Manages state resources during emergencies
Statements from the candidates
You vote for a candidate from the party you are registered with
Candidates are listed alphabetically within each party. The Natural Law does not have a candidate for Governor.
Candidates for U.S. Governor
Democratic Party |
Phil Angelides
State Treasurer
Age: 52
Lives in: Sacramento
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“ I have created my own business, met a payroll, and built environmentally sustainable communities. In eight years as Treasurer, I have cracked down on corporate fraud, fought for balanced budgets, and invested to create jobs and clean up the environment..” |
Priorities:
- Invest to give all our children a first-class education.
- Enact fair, balanced budgets that protect schools and transportation.
- Protect our quality of life to make California the best place to create jobs
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Barbara Becnel
Executive Director, Nonprofit
Age: 55
Lives in: Pleasant Hill
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“ I have public policy, legislative and community program experience. I worked for nearly 20 years as a public policy expert in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Currently, I oversee numerous social programs at a nonprofit agency in the Bay Area.” |
Priorities:
- Improve California’s public education system so that all children have an opportunity to achieve at high levels.
- Ensure quality and affordable healthcare for all Californians.
- Remove race and class bias from California’s criminal justice system.
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Joe Brouillette
High School Teacher
Age: 74
Lives in: Granite Bay
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“ I have taught social science classes for 44 years which includes U.S. and California government. I have a Masters Degree in Chico and a Masters of Science Degree from the University of Illinois.” |
Priorities:
- California’s overpopulation crisis is my main concern. From 6 million in 1940, to 36 million today and 64 million by 2050 unless action is taken through educating every Californian.
- Teach more government to empower voters.
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Jerald Robert Gerst
Medical Doctor, Physician
Age: 59
Lives in: Walnut Creek |
“ Born in Iowa, raised on my family’s farm, I graduated from Harvard, obtaining my MD from UC Davis and my Master’s in Public Health from UC Berkeley. I have cared for working folks over three decades as an emergency and occupational physician.” |
Priorities:
- Balanced budgets – on time.
- Universal, population-based health insurance, kept cost-neutral to business by other insurance reforms.
- Balanced funding of infrastructure spending; debt alone compromises our children’s future.
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Vibert Greene
Mechanical Engineer
Age: 57
Lives in: Newark |
“ Leadership, management and common sense. I say what I mean and mean what I say. I will deliver.” |
Priorities:
- Charge a tax to businesses that outsource jobs overseas.
- Give tax incentives to businesses that hire new employees.
- Increase salaries and benefits to state workers, teachers, fire, police and protect the environment.
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Frank A. Macaluso, Jr.
Physician/Medical Doctor
Age: 47
Lives in: Exeter |
“ I’m a small business owner with experience to deal with oil consumption and conservation. As a doctor, I can bring workable solutions to California’s health care system. I’m a strong advocate of health care for seniors and the uninsured.” |
Priorities:
- Budget - A balanced budget that does not spend more than the state takes in.
- Health care - All Californians have adequate and affordable health care.
- Immigration reform - Move forward now.
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Michael Strimling
Attorney at Law
Age: 52
Lives in: Piedmont |
“ Born in California, graduate of UC Berkeley Law, dedicated progressive, against the war and wiretaps. I have worked for courts, litigated for public agencies, and against toxic polluters. Legal advisor in the Peace Corps. A qualified lawyer, not actor.” |
Priorities:
- Universal healthcare, education, transit, childcare and eldercare.
- Schools and jobs, not jails: moratorium on capital punishment and expensive prisons.
- Tax corporations at real value of property, not at low Proposition 13 rates.
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Steve Westly
California State Controller
Age: 49
Lives in: Atherton |
“ I helped build eBay, a company that created thousands of jobs. I taught at Stanford for five years. As Controller, I clamped down on corporate tax cheats, bringing in $3.5 billion for schools, roads, and hospitals without raising taxes.” |
Priorities:
- Better funds for education so our children have the opportunity to succeed.
- Defend the environment and push for affordable healthcare.
- Help create good-paying jobs for all Californians.
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Candidates for U.S. Governor
Republican Party |
Jeffrey R. Burns
General Building Contractor
Age: 51
Lives in: Huntington Beach
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“ My 31 years in the building industry has taught me more than anything else that a good businessman keeps one eye on today and the other on tomorrow. All state government decisions must be weighed against tomorrow.” |
Priorities:
- Budgetary models required by the retirement of 78 million baby boomers.
- Coordination of emergency services for statewide disaster or terror attack.
- A national immigration policy that will meet the needs of a 21st century economy.
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Bill Chambers
Occupation: Railroad Switchman/Brakeman
Age: 50 • Lives in: Auburn
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“ I am a U.S. citizen, resident of California, registered Republican voter, taxpayer, railroad switchman/brakeman (29 years), real estate investor, landlord, occasional real estate developer (small scale), parent and grandparent. I use logic and common sense, not hype and emotion. ” |
Priorities:
- To be completely open with the public and the media (state/national security issues excluded).
- To keep within our budget and reduce, if not eliminate, pork barrel spending.
- To find solutions to our schools’ constant problems.
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Robert C. Newman II
Psychologist/Farmer
Age: 62
Lives in: Redlands
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“ I am your servant, a Bible-based 45-year married Christian, with education (AA, BA, MA, PhD) and work experience only in California, manual labor, then psychologist with experience in prison, state hospital, education, police and fire, and workers’ compensation systems. ” |
Priorities:
- Answers: I think outside the box coming up with commonsense solutions.
- Education: Let teachers teach by increasing pupil contact; reduce forms and testing.
- Budget: Live within our means by reducing overspending; increase inter-party cooperation.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California
Age: 58
Lives in: Los Angeles
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“ As Governor I have led California back from the brink of bankruptcy by not raising taxes, reducing the structural deficit, repealing the car tax, and fixing workers’ compensation. The result: 500,000 new jobs and record investments in education. ” |
Priorities:
- Strengthen California’s schools so our students are prepared for tomorrow.
- Strengthen and build California’s economy to create jobs.
- Protect California’s families with strong laws to protect our children.
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Candidates for U.S. Governor
American Independent Party |
Edward C. Noonan
Computer Shop Owner
Age: 58
Lives in: Marysville
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“ I am qualified to slow down the increased legislation that over-regulates businesses and overtaxes citizens. When I am in office I will use the veto pen as a tool to quell any further hardships to Californians.” |
Priorities:
- Cause a 2/3 majority for any new legislation to be placed on the backs of Californians. All new legislation will be vetoed.
- All budgets will be vetoed for debt reduction.
- Illegal immigration must stop.
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Candidates for U.S. Governor
Green Party |
Peter Miguel Camejo
Financial Advisor
Age: 66
Lives in: Folsom
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“ I stand for the people of California, not just the rich. I work to defend the environment and have knowledge and experience with budget issues, pensions and developing affordable housing. I oppose the death penalty and “three strikes” law.” |
Priorities:
- Education: California spends 600 dollars less per student than the national average; it can be 600 dollars more.
- Alternative Energy: We need to start now.
- Free elections in California: IRV and proportional representation.
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Candidates for U.S. Governor
Libertarian Party |
Art Olivier
Former Mayor/ Engineer
Age: 48
Lives in: Bellflower
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“ California needs a governor that can say NO to wasteful spending. As the mayor of Bellflower, I was able to eliminate the city’s lighting tax assessment and at the same time improve services through privatization and a competitive bidding process. ” |
Priorities:
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Candidates for U.S. Governor
Peace and Freedom Party |
Janice Jordan
Counselor, Activist, Grappler
Age: 41
Lives in: San Diego
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“ I was born and raised in California. My passion for social and political issues is to affect positive change in all communities.” |
Priorities:
- Healthcare.
- Livable wage.
- Immigrant rights.
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