July 14, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Election 2014: Republican Neel Kashkari Challenges Governor Jerry Brown Today:

Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown will seek an unprecedented fourth term in today’s election, facing Republican Neel Kashkari, who has focused his campaign on creating jobs and improving education.

Brown has done little campaigning on behalf of his re-election, concentrating instead on trying to win passage of Propositions 1 and 2, the water bond and “rainy day” measures on today’s ballot.

Brown has also discussed California’s improved economy, reduced unemployment and increased spending for education since he returned to the governor’s office in 2011. His campaign website touts Brown’s efforts to reduce the state government’s debt, improve its credit rating and protect funding for education and public safety.

Kashkari is a former Treasury Department official making his first run for office. He has recently focused on the lawsuit seeking to overturn state laws governing teacher tenure and layoffs, criticizing Brown for appealing the ruling that found those laws unconstitutional.

“Jerry Brown had a choice — fight for our kids or side with the unions who have backed his political career,” Kashkari said in a recent campaign commercial. “Brown sided with the unions and he should be ashamed of himself.”

Brown joined state Attorney General Kamala D. Harris in a one-page appeal of Vergara v. California, arguing that “changes of this magnitude, as a matter of law and policy, require appellate review.”

Kashkari has also called for cancellation of the state’s high-speed rail project, calling it “a symbol of Sacramento having the wrong priorities” and dubbing it “The Crazy Train.”

Brown has long defended the project, claiming it will create jobs, transform the Central Valley and be cheaper in the long run than building or improving highways and airports.

Brown topped the field of 15 candidates in the June “Top Two” primary with 54.3 percent of the votes, with Kashkari finishing second with 19.4 percent. Republican Assemblyman Tim Donnelly was the only other candidate to receive at least 3 percent of the vote, finishing third with 14.8 percent.

Brown is running for statewide office for the seventh time. He has lost just once, falling to Pete Wilson in a 1982 bid for a U.S. Senate seat. Brown was first elected governor in 1974 when Kashkari was 15 months old.

The son of immigrants from India, Kashkari was raised in the Akron, Ohio, suburb of Stow and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois. He moved to California in 1998 and worked as a design engineer at TRW in Redondo Beach, developing technology for NASA space missions.

Kashkari returned to college and received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002, then worked in the San Francisco office of the investment bank Goldman Sachs, eventually leading its information technology security practice.

Then-Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson hired Kashkari in 2006 as a special assistant on energy policy. He was appointed by then-President George W. Bush in 2007 as assistant secretary of the Treasury for international economics and development.

Kashkari was among several Paulson aides who wrote the legislation that created TARP, then oversaw it as interim assistant secretary of the Treasury for financial stability, a position he filled during the initial months of the Obama administration.

Following his government service, Kashkari worked for the Newport Beach-based global investment management firm PIMCO, resigning last year to explore running for governor.

in News
<>Related Posts

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...