The Futures Market: California's Rising Stars
CA's a big state, and they've got some big stars. Of those we looked at back in '03, just one has yet to make a move for higher office. In fact, one of our stars won election to the House just last week. Looking ahead, a number of young Latino stars are on their way up in both parties, and nowhere will we hear more predictions that someone's moving up all the way to the White House. If a CAan makes it to fed office, they've got more political talent than average, and that should make for some exciting races in the future. [REID WILSON]
The stars we've been watching since '03:
And the stars to watch in the future:
- Angel Sanchez (R): A Riverside-area volunteer firefighter and community development director with Bank of America, he's worked to increase the GOP's connections to the Latino community through churches.
- Eric Beach (R): A former aide to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Beach was the statewide head of Arnold's Allstars, the popular after-school program which catapulted the Governor to political prominence. Just 26 years old, he was recently named VP for CA of DC-based Mercury Public Affairs.
- Nathan Fletcher (R): Husband of ex-BC '04 spokesperson Mindy Fletcher and a marine just back from Iraq, Fletcher is considering a bid for CA assemb. "I think in Nathan's case you're going to see him run for something higher" in the future.
- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom: While not at all under the radar, Newsom is "one of the rumor-mill candidates in '06," said to be considering a bid for GOV.
- State Assemb. Speaker Fabian Nunez (D): Elected Speaker of the Assemb as a Freshman. "Clearly a rising star." Said to have an "iron grip" on the caucus.
- CA Teachers Assn./NEA official Kevin DeLeon (D): Running for State Assemb., could be a good dark horse candidate in the future. He's "very charasmatic, very engaging." Close friend and ally of Nunez.
- Ex-LA City Council Pres. Alex Padilla: Just resigned the council presidency to run for State Senate. The 32-year-old MIT graduate is "clearly somebody who could be big time."
Excuse me? Ron Gonzalez? Are you kidding? He was censured by the SJ City Counsel this week and a Grand Jury is looking into this. How can we take the rest of your list seriously? Dennis Herrera, the SF City Attorney, just got 182K votes unopposed a much better choice. Who the heck are your sources?
Ron Gonzalez was a carry-over from the 2003 list, and in checking in with all of the class of '03, you'll notice that we mention that he's the one from CA who hasn't jumped into a race for higher office. Several sources throughout the state mentioned that Gonzalez remains a popular figure in his hometown, though he has given no hint to his future plans.