If elected, State Treasurer John Chiang would become California’s first Asian American governor.
His problem is that hardly anyone knows he’s running for the state’s top office. In a Feb. 8 poll conducted by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of Calfiornia, 40 percent of respondents said they have favorable opinions of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but for Chiang, more than half said they have no opinion — or have never heard of him or the other five candidates.
Chiang’s life story as the son of immigrants from Taiwan, growing up as one of the few Asian Americans in his schools and overcoming the taunts and racism that entails, then getting elected to statewide positions is inspirational. His resume of public service is impeccable. He is devoid of any drama or scandal. He should be the frontrunner. Except … this year.
His opponents have bigger names and generally have more access to campaign funds. It sometimes seems, the other candidates have been preparing for this race their whole lives: building up their resumes, making positive life choices, nurturing friendships and relationships.
Chiang, the current State Treasurer, is running against some well-known political heavyweights: the current Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, the former mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigrosa are in a virtual toss-up as frontrunners.
Even though Chiang won statewide elections as Controller and Treasurer, plus his years on the State Board of Equalization, those years working in the background are not the “glamor” posts that garner headlines.
He is best known for two bold moves: Resisting Gov. Arnold Schwarzennegar’s order to reduce state workers’ paychecks to minimum wage until a budget is passed in 2010 (Chiang eventually lost that fight in court but by then, the impasse had passed); and withholding the paychecks of state lawmakers until they pass the 2011 budget.
Despite those two actions, years overseeing the “numbers” trying to balance the books isn’t as attention-getting or glitzy as hanging out with the stars, declaring LGBTQ marriages equal, or headline-grabbing positions on Latino empowerment or the #MeToo movement like his opponents have done.
Despite looking like a bookkeeper, the bespectacled Chiang has proven to be a tough campaigner whether it be among the Central Valley’s farmers, in the big city ethnic enclaves, the offices of Silicon Valley or in the halls of the capitol.
He has embraced the underdog characterization of his campaign, hoping the American penchant for rooting for the underdog will work to his advantage.
“Growing up in the midwest, we were called plenty of names by folks. I would hear ‘gook’ and ‘chink,’ commonly. It was a very different era and it wasn’t easy,” he said.
Chiang’s biggest advantage, is that all of his opponents have major flaws. In California’s election rules, only the top two vote-getters in the June primary will run against each other in November, no matter what party affiliation. Most likely, the two finalists will be Democrats. California is the bluest of blue states and Donald Trump’s presidency will bring out a heavy anti-GOP vote.
Running one-on-one, Chiang would have a better chance, even against the well-financed, Hollywood darling and leading-man handsome Gavin Newsom, who most California watchers would consider the frontrunner.
Though Newsom declared his intention to run for Governor in 2015, a year before Chiang announced his candidacy, Chiang has shown he has statewide appeal from major donors. At the beginning of his campaign in 2016, he drew heavily from Asian American supporters. but has reached out to other interest groups.
Early in his campaign, he received a key endorsement from the influential Latino leader, Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar that will help him against Villaraigrosa’s base of support:
“If you want flash and no substance, look no further than the White House at this time and see how that’s working out. But if you want a trusted, steady and fearless leader who knows when to get tough against special interests, who knows when to cross the aisle to get things done for the people, then John Chiang is your choice for governor,” said Huizar.
“He’s been a leader on important issues like getting more money for affordable housing, making sure that more California children have access to higher education, and making sure that even in these tough economic times, he was able to find funds for those things that are important to California people … He is a progressive who knows how to balance a checkbook.
He has the habit of falling back on his 20 years of public service when speaking to the general public. He has apologized for getting too “wonky.”
In California’s primary, voters can cross party lines to vote for a candidate. If Chiang’s fiscal background can attract some moderate Republicans and/or the 30 percent of undecided voters, he could wind up as one of the top two finishers. As governor, “I’d be aspirational,” he told the San Francisco Chronicle. “If there’s anywhere you can dream, it’s California.”
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