Republican John Cox and Democrat Gavin Newsom have been barnstorming the state for much of the past week 鈥� often joining candidates in California鈥檚 competitive congressional races that could decide control of the House of Representatives.
Republican John Cox and Democrat Gavin Newsom make their final campaign stops Monday in the race for California governor.
They鈥檝e been barnstorming the state for much of the past week 鈥� often joining candidates in that could decide which party controls the House of Representatives next year.
As Newsom鈥檚 campaign bus pulled up at a Sacramento preschool on Halloween, parents and kids welcomed him by singing 鈥淭he Wheels on the Bus.鈥� Newsom stepped out dressed as Batman, joined by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg as Superman.
鈥淭he things we do for votes!鈥� Newsom said. 鈥淯nbelievable!鈥�
Newsom, the Democratic lieutenant governor and former mayor of San Francisco, reiterated his commitment to sweeping new state-funded programs like universal preschool and single-payer health care. And he promised to continue the current governor鈥檚 efforts to limit spending by the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
鈥淛erry Brown was the right person at the right time,鈥� Newsom said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in a different time in our state鈥檚 history. Different time in our nation鈥檚 history. And I think we鈥檙e very well equipped to take the baton and build on that legacy.鈥�
He also promised to stand up to President Donald Trump, acknowledging it would be a hollow victory if he won the governor鈥檚 race but Democrats failed to win the House.
Cox鈥檚 campaign acknowledges he trails Newsom but argues the race is narrowing. Still, the San Diego businessman is clearly relishing his time on the campaign trail. He mocks Newsom for saying he鈥檇 govern with fiscal responsibility.
鈥淚 just can鈥檛 believe the people of this state are gonna vote for the status quo,鈥� he told reporters in Sacramento last week. 鈥淩ight now, this state is almost the laughingstock of the entire country because of the political class in this state. People are ready for change.鈥�
Cox has tried to avoid talking national politics, especially when that involves President Trump. But did say he hopes Republicans are able to keep control of Congress, pointing to the strength of the national economy.
Newsom will campaign in Modesto and San Francisco on Monday before holding his Election Night party in Los Angeles. Cox will spend his final full day of campaigning in Berkeley and Sacramento before gathering Tuesday night in his hometown of San Diego.
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