Up and down the state, candidates are gearing up for the next election. The 2018 gubernatorial election, that is.
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is in and is quickly assembling a war chest. Ditto state Treasurer John Chiang. Former California schools superintendent and East Bay Assemblywoman Delaine Eastin says she's gearing up to run, and Bay Area billionaire Tom Steyer is said to be considering it, too. And former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says he'll be jumping in as soon as next week.
Republican political consultant Mike Madrid says it's going to be a crowded and largely Democratic field. That will tempt viable Republicans to test the waters, including perhaps San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.
"I think you're seeing a younger, newer generation of Democrats that represent various constituencies, different voices in the Democratic Party," Madrid says. "And I think it's probably a conversation we've needed to have in California for at least 10 years."
Madrid says he doesn't think the governor's race is going to dominate Thanksgiving dinner discussions. But he says the only thing bigger than running for California's top job is running for president.