updated noon, Sept. 21, 2017
A San Diego attorney, who opposes the “hateful and vindictive” policies of the Donald Trump administration, has entered the crowded race for lieutenant governor of California.
Cameron Gharabiklou, 36, on Wednesday announced his candidacy in a provocative video in which he calls for Californians to stand up for California values and “lead the resistance.”
“We will not be silenced and we will not be bullied,” he said.
Gharabiklou, a Democrat, said California should use its position of strength to lead the country forward. More people live in California than in any other states in the union and California has more people than the 21 least populous states combined.
“California needs strong, outside thinkers in its state government,” Gharabiklou said. “We’re a state that has grown into the sixth largest economy in the world by embracing California values like inclusion, acceptance and equality.”
The lieutenant governor’s race is independent of the governor’s race in California and is typically a lesser-known position. The current lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom once called the position “largely ceremonial.”
Interestingly, several high-profile Democrats have announced their candidacy for the office and have raised millions, according to campaign finance reports filed with the California Secretary of State. They include State Sen. Ed Hernandez, former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Kounalakis, former U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeff Bleich, and Los Angeles physician Asif Mahmood, a Clinton campaign fundraiser.
Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León has not officially entered the race but does have an exploratory committee that’s been raising money.
So far, no major Republicans have announced their intentions to run for the seat.