California’s Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon might be considering running for governor in 2018, although reports indicate he will not be making an announcement on his decision during the California Democratic convention this weekend.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, speculation was ramped up about de León’s potential gubernatorial bid when he released a new video this week called “Proud”:
However, when approached by the Times about whether the video, de León reportedly said, it is “a values statement.”
De León will term out of the state Senate in 2018. Asked when the public can expect to hear an announcement about his future political plans, de León told the Times, “When I know, everyone else will know.”
De León made headlines earlier this year when he announced that “half” of his family in California are living here illegally and in violation of U.S. immigration laws.
Breitbart News reported that in March, he pushed legislation to make California a “sanctuary state,” or a safe haven for illegal aliens, by “prohibiting state law enforcement agencies in California from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.”
In April, the California State Senate approved de León’s “Sanctuary State” bill (Senate Bill 54), in defiance of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. De León once claimed that Trump’s immigration crackdown was based on the “principles of white supremacy.”
De Leon has clashed with Lieutenant Gov. Gavin Newsom, the current frontrunner in the race for governor, over competing gun control initiatives last year. In November, Newsom’s spokesman released a statement in which he thanked de León for “admitting he was wrong.”
This weekend, all major announced and potential candidates for governor will address over 3,300 delegates from across the Golden State at the state’s Democratic convention.
So far, Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California Treasurer John Chiang have officially entered the 2018 governor’s race on the Democratic site. Democrat mega-donor Tom Steyer is reportedly also reportedly considering joining the crowded field of candidates.
“It’s no secret that Tom Steyer is considering running for office, and he’ll make a decision later this year,” Rose Kapolczynski, a top Steyer advisor, told The Hill. “We aren’t going to discuss our research program in the news media.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has also been floated as a potential candidate.
Republican John Cox is also running.
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