The already crowded field of candidates vying to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026 has grown by one.
Southern California philanthropist and businessman Stephen Cloobeck announced his run for California governor on Tuesday with a barrage of advertisements on TV stations and news websites, targeting Californians following the results of the 2024 presidential election.
Cloobeck, 63, struck a pro-business tone in the crowded governor’s race, saying in one advertisement that California is “closed for business, and we’ve had enough.”
Cloobeck joins high-level Democratic candidates that include Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former state Controller Betty Yee, state Sen. Toni Atkins, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state schools Supt. Tony Thurmond.
All are trying to succeed Newsom, who is serving his second and final term in office.
“If we were a country, California would be the fifth largest economy on the…
