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Governor’s race: Newsom, Villaraigosa top field in early polling
In its latest statewide survey of California registered voters, The Field Poll asked voters whether they would be inclined or not inclined to support each of eight prominent Californians who have been mentioned as possible candidates for Governor in 2018.
In this setting three Democrats – former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti – receive the largest proportions of early voter support. Greater than four in ten voters say they would be inclined to vote for Villaraigosa (42%) and Newsom (41%), and nearly as many say this about Garcetti (36%) if they were to be candidates for Governor in 2018.
Another 29% of voters say they would be inclined to support two other Democrats, environmentalist Tom Steyer and state Treasurer John Chiang, while 25% are inclined to back San Diego Mayor Kevin Falconer, a Republican. Two other potential candidates, Democratic state Controller Steve Westly and Fresno Mayor and Republican Ashley Swearengin receive another 22% and 19% of voter support, respectively.
The complete survey and an explanation of its methodology can be seen here.
There are differences in voter inclinations to support each of the potential gubernatorial candidates according to the party registration, region and race/ethnicity of the voter. For example, each of the Democrats scores better among rank-and-file Democrats, and the two potential Republican candidates far outpace the others among voters of their own party.
Villaraigosa and Garcetti do best among voters in the ten-county Southern California region, while Newsom receives the highest level of potential voter support among Northern Californians. Villaraigosa obtains greater support than the others among Latinos, while Newsom receives a slightly higher level of voter support among white non-Hispanic voters.
There are big partisan differences in potential support the eight possible gubernatorial candidates. Each of the six Democrats do significantly better among voters of their own party, with Newsom and Villaraigosa doing the best. Conversely, the two potential Republican candidates measured score far better among rank-and-file GOP voters than any of the others.
Some differences in voter preferences are also observed between Southern and Northern California voters. For example, Villaraigosa and Garcetti fare the best among voters living in the ten counties of Southern California, while Newsom receives the highest level of early voter support among voters in the forty-eight Northern California counties.
The poll also finds differences in early voter support for the eight potential candidates measure by the race and ethnicity of voters. For example, Villaraigosa maintains a big preference advantage among Latinos. Among white non-Hispanics Newsom receives a slightly higher level of early support than the others.
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Villaraigosa is not popular in Los Angeles. His attempts to take over LAUSD are not forgotten by families of students with disabilities and English language learners who were labeled “LEFTOVERS” (that’s exactly how it was printed) in his 40-some page “plan” towards the end of the document. We forced a public forum with the help of Jackie Goldberg and Villaraigosa slipped out the back door before the Q & A session.
He had a podium prepared outside the venue for media coverage, but did not expect resistance. Parents carrying signs made sure they were seen. Plain-clothes police in suits pushing parents out of the camera site lines claiming we were a “danger to the mayor’s safety” when nowhere near him (I was one of those pushed and bullied. I’m a 5’1″ woman and was 50 years old at the time – a real threat).
Our LAUSD Special Education Community Advisory Committee wrote him a letter earlier voicing concerns with his “plan” calling our children “LEFTOVERS” and he NEVER responded. We had hoped to ask the same questions at the forum, but he ducked out like a coward.
Another time, he used the background of one of his “Partnership” schools for a speech. Landscaping was trucked in (grass/plants) and the front of the school painted for a clean-looking photo op. He used our children for his personal agenda. The next day the grass was rolled up and removed with the plants and the paint began peeling off the front of the building within a month. That’s the kind of “service” we can expect from Villaraigosa – the “appearance” of support that is only a facade in real life.
This is the Villaraigosa I know. He fakes and controls public appearances and does not return calls nor answer questions of constituents unless they have a big wad of $$$ to help promote his agenda.
Villaraigosa would be a disaster for California. He did little to nothing for Los Angeles but piggy-back on other people’s accomplishments, taking credit for doing things that others have done.
The one that will prevail is the one who takes the point position bringing sedition
charges against the Fifth Columnist Maila Cohen / SF Board Supervisor.