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KOUNALAKIS’ WAR CHEST EXCEEDS $9 MILLION
More than two years out from the 2026 California gubernatorial election, candidate and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis’ campaign announced that has more than $9 million on hand.
That includes a haul of $1.4 million in the first six months of 2024, according to her campaign.
Since announcing her bid, Kounalakis has raised nearly $5.4 million — that’s in addition to the $4.4 million she had stashed in her lieutenant governor campaign committee.
While it’s still early days, Kounalakis has racked up endorsements from politicians as varied as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former California Sen. Barbara Boxer, and sitting Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman.
This show of force comes as the California governor’s race field continues to grow.
Former Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former State Controller Betty Yee all are running on the Democratic side, with Attorney General Rob Bonta, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa all rumored to be considering a run.
On the Republican side, there is an effort underway to draft Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to run on the GOP ticket.
Sitting Gov. Gavin Newsom himself term limits out of office in 2026.
ANTI-RFK JR BILLBOARD GOES UP IN HOLLYWOOD
Fresh off of a Vanity Fair piece alleging independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a sexual predator, the Democratic National Committee has arranged for a billboard to go up in Hollywood showcasing the allegations and RFK Jr.’s non-denial..
He said “I am not a church boy” in an interview.
The billboard went up Wednesday and stayed up all day.
DNC spokesman Matt Corridoni released a statement saying, “The shocking details uncovered in the Vanity Fair story about RFK Jr. are damning, but it’s even more damning that RFK Jr. isn’t denying them. The only thing we know for sure about RFK Jr. is that he has a closet full of skeletons.”
According to a Public Policy Institute of California survey published in June, President Joe Biden leads former President Donald Trump, 55-31 in California. While the PPIC didn’t poll for RFK Jr. specifically, “someone else” scored 13% of likely voters.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Of course, yes.”
– California Gov. Gavin Newsom, reiterating that he would not seek the presidency against Vice President Kamala Harris should President Joe Biden decline to seek reelection, during a press conference.
Best of The Bee:
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California Democrats couldn’t kill ballot measure changing Prop. 47. What’s their new strategy? Via Lindsey Holden.
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If Democrats decide to replace President Joe Biden as nominee, how would it happen? Via David Lightman.
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Will California Democrats in close House races be affected by pressure on Joe Biden’s candidacy? Via Gillian Brassil.
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