California Gubernatorial Candidates Address State Issues

Candidates at the California Business Outlook dinner discuss pivotal state issues.

News Summary

At the California Business Outlook dinner on June 4, 2025, six gubernatorial candidates discussed critical issues affecting the state, including the cost of living, homelessness, and health care reforms. The event highlighted differing viewpoints on various topics such as the minimum wage and approaches to the fentanyl crisis. The potential impact of Vice President Kamala Harris’s candidacy on the election was also a focal point. As the political landscape evolves, candidates are preparing for the upcoming Democratic primary in June 2026.

California Gubernatorial Candidates Discuss Key Issues at Business Outlook Dinner

Six candidates vying for the California governorship participated in a panel discussion during the California Business Outlook dinner held on June 4, 2025. The event, moderated by John Myers, the CalChamber senior vice president of communications and external affairs, focused on critical issues facing the state as the candidates prepare for the upcoming election.

The participating candidates included Toni Atkins, former Senate President Pro-Tem; Chad Bianco, Riverside Sheriff; Steve Hilton, author, podcaster, and business founder; Eleni Kounalakis, the current Lt. Governor; Katie Porter, former U.S. Representative; and Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles. Their diverse backgrounds and viewpoints highlighted the dynamic political landscape in California.

The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber), which hosted the event, is actively striving to reform regulatory rules to make them more workable for businesses. Additionally, Liz Snow has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of Political Affairs at CalChamber, underscoring their commitment to engaging with political issues. The dinner also introduced a new policy advocate focused on health care and taxation matters.

Key Discussion Points

The discussions at the panel included various topics pertinent to California residents, with many candidates emphasizing the urgent need to address the rising cost of living in the state. Notably, four Democratic candidates voiced a consensus on not raising the minimum wage, reflecting a shared priority to approach economic challenges pragmatically.

Homelessness and affordable housing were also recurring themes, with candidates providing differing perspectives on how to tackle these pressing issues. Lt. Governor Kounalakis particularly pointed to her experience in real estate development as a strong qualification for enhancing housing affordability in California.

COVID-19 school district closures sparked debate among the candidates, demonstrating a range of opinions on how the pandemic has impacted education and the community. Additionally, the strategies surrounding workplace violence prevention standards were discussed, with candidates addressing common misconceptions in this area.

The candidates showed a united front in their support for exploring a single-payer healthcare system, citing the potential to streamline health care access and affordability for all Californians. However, they expressed divided views on Proposition 36, an initiative that targets repetitive theft and addresses issues related to the fentanyl crisis, indicating the complexity of addressing crime and substance abuse in California.

Implications of Kamala Harris’s Potential Candidacy

Speculations around Vice President Kamala Harris‘s potential candidacy for governor continue to circulate without a definitive commitment from her. Some Democratic insiders believe that her entry into the race could significantly impact vulnerable Democrats and energize Republican voters. Critics argue that her involvement could pose challenges for Democrats in competitive districts, while proponents support her experience and leadership capabilities as substantial assets for the gubernatorial role.

Despite inquiries, California Democratic Rep. Dave Min refrained from commenting on whether he supports Harris’s potential run, while Rep. George Whitesides expressed a welcoming stance toward her candidacy but emphasized his focus on his own campaign.

Looking Ahead

The field of gubernatorial candidates may continue to expand, with more announcements anticipated in the coming months. As it stands, California has not elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006, and the upcoming Democratic primary is scheduled for June 2026, where the top two candidates will advance to the general election.

As the political landscape evolves leading up to the gubernatorial election, the discussions held at the California Business Outlook dinner signify the importance of critical issues that candidates must address to earn the support of voters across the state.