California gubernatorial candidates using different campaign tactics

Carlos Granda Image
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
CA gubernatorial candidates using different campaign tactics
California's two gubernatorial candidates, Republican Neel Kashkari and incumbent Jerry Brown, have very different campaign tactics.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- California's two gubernatorial candidates have very different campaign tactics.

Republican Neel Kashkari is trying to tell voters who he is.

"I'm not from a powerful political family. I grew up a middle-class kid, son of immigrants. I've lived the American dream," said Kashkari.

Incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown, on the other hand, isn't saying much about himself at all. He is actually spending more time pushing Props 1 and 2 than campaigning for governor.

"The people of California know more about my candidacy than any other candidacy in the history of California. This is pretty clear: save water, save money, vote 1 and vote 2," said Brown.

Brown visited John Marshall High School in Los Angeles on Tuesday and talked about energy efficiency. He touched briefly about the race.

"There's lots to do, and I feel fully up to it. You'll hear more over the next four years," said Brown.

Kashkari is focusing on what he feels are the issues facing California, especially the need for jobs in the state.

"We are ranked 50th out of 50 states for business climate. We shouldn't be surprised when Toyota and Tesla and Nestle, all these companies, are leaving," said Kashkari. "It's not just big businesses, it's medium size and small businesses, too. Why don't we improve the economic climate of the state?"

Kashkari produced a controversial ad that shows him rescuing a drowning child from a pool. The ad says Brown betrayed kids, referencing a recent court case where children sued the state saying the teacher tenure system is unconstitutional. The children won. Brown joined the California Teachers Association, one of his major donors, to appeal that ruling.

"When the neediest kids in California asked the governor for help, he turned his back on them. He betrayed them to back his donors," said Kashkari.

The governor said the court ruling giving the kids a victory means very little until it goes to higher court.

"Absent that, it's more or less of a sentiment but it's not an edict of any kind. So as a responsible leader, I did appeal that case," said Brown.

Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 4.