LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer says he's running for California governor and made the formal announcement Tuesday in Los Angeles.
"I'm Kevin Faulconer. I'm running for governor of the great state of California because it's time for a California comeback," he said.
Faulconer is the first major Republican to formally step into the contest as signatures are being gathered for a recall effort against Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Faulconer says that California has become a failed state under Newsom, accusing him of botching such issues as homelessness and dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.
"Mr. Governor, sending unemployment checks to convicted murderers isn't progressive. Letting people live on the streets isn't compassion, and partying with lobbyists during a lockdown isn't leadership," he said.
However, Faulconer could face an uphill fight in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1.
