Candidates, please: in governors race, put California first

How to fix California.That should be the focus of gubernatorial candidates in the runup to the June 2 primary.Yes, Gov.Gavin Newsom has burnished his national brand — among leftists, anyway — by posing as a world leader and trolling President Trump.California needs none of that. Rather, voters would be well-served by a campaign centered on solutions to the troubles plaguing the state.

 Those ills are many, and include chronic high rates of homelessness; a staggering lack of affordability; stubborn housing, water, energy and road-capacity shortages; abysmal public education outcomes; overtaxation — including an absurd proposed billionaire tax; woeful underperformance by state government; rampant fraud; widespread crime; union and other special-interest capture of Sacramento; and more.Californians need practical solutions to that mess, not would-be governors consumed with Trump, “resistance” or ICE.Toward that end, the addition to the field of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is welcome; let’s hope he contributes the pragmatic voice that many have predicted.Yes, federal policy matters and those who aspire to governor will have opinions on national issues. But reflexively opposing Trump on every issue is not leadership.It’s not a solution.

And it’s not a plan to govern California. Voters have a broad range of candidates vying to lead the state for four years.They deserve a campaign centered squarely on state business.California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!Running California, after all, is a full-time gig.Gubernatorial hopefuls should demonstrate a capacity — and willingness — to do that job, rather than telling the president how to do his. ...