Will California’s Next Lieutenant Governor Be a Controversial Outsider? 5 Shocking Candidates You MUST Know!

As California gears up for the June primary, the race for the lieutenant governor position is drawing attention, though many voters remain unaware of its largely ceremonial nature. The current lieutenant governor, Eleni Kounalakis, who is terming out, has primarily served as the president of the state Senate and has significant influence in higher education, sitting on all three of California's higher education boards. While the role typically acts as a backup to the governor, it has occasionally paved the way for more prominent positions, as seen with Governor Gavin Newsom, who held the role for eight years before his election in 2018.

The office, however, has a reputation for being overlooked and often considered insignificant, earning it comparisons to "Seinfeld" due to its perception of being a job about nothing, as noted by Republican candidate Gloria Romero. This election, four major candidates are vying for the position, each emphasizing their plans for higher education and the symbolic nature of the role.

Here’s a closer look at the candidates and their priorities:

Candidates and Their Approaches

Josh Fryday

Leading the governor's volunteer programs, Josh Fryday aims to leverage the lieutenant governor's platform to enhance California's community colleges. His priorities include credentialing more trade workers to support the state’s renewable energy initiatives. He believes this can bolster the clean energy sector, creating jobs and increasing the state’s renewable energy supply. Fryday also advocates for developing more student housing on public land to alleviate rising tuition costs and support enrollment. With endorsements from the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers, Fryday is positioning himself as a candidate focused on practical solutions in higher education.

Janelle Kellman

Former Sausalito mayor Janelle Kellman, a climate attorney, aims to make community college free and expand job training programs. Despite the limited authority of the lieutenant governor on the University of California Board of Regents, she is determined to work on utility costs by eliminating excessive fees and collaborating with the insurance commissioner to lower homeowners' premiums related to wildfire risks. Kellman, who has a decade of local government experience, also supports building more student housing to address California's housing crisis.

Fiona Ma

State Treasurer Fiona Ma brings a wealth of experience to her campaign, having held significant roles in local and state politics. Her strategy includes finding alternative revenue sources for California State Universities to reduce tuition and housing costs. Ma has proposed partnering with private companies to lease university facilities when unused, thereby generating funds. Endorsed by the California Democratic Party, she has a controversial past, including a sexual harassment lawsuit that was settled for $350,000 in 2024, which she has denied, labeling it as "frivolous." Despite the challenges, her extensive political background positions her as a formidable candidate.

Gloria Romero

Gloria Romero, a former Democratic senator who switched to the Republican Party, emphasizes school vouchers to allow parents to use taxpayer money for private education, a position that has garnered significant opposition from teachers' unions. She advocates for eliminating remedial coursework to expedite degree completion. Romero’s unique approach as a Republican in a predominantly Democratic state includes individual negotiations with legislative colleagues to find common ground.

Michael Tubbs

Michael Tubbs, who gained national recognition as the youngest and first Black mayor of Stockton, aims to return to public office with a focus on making higher education more affordable. He supports freezing tuition and streamlining curricula to eliminate unnecessary administrative costs. Tubbs is involved in several initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation and universal basic income, reflecting his commitment to social equity. His campaign is backed by the Service Employees International Union, highlighting his grassroots support.

As these candidates prepare for the upcoming primary, their varying platforms illustrate the complexities and challenges of the lieutenant governor's role in California. While the position may be largely symbolic, the candidates are determined to use it as a platform for substantive change in higher education and beyond.