California State Treasurer John Chiang Explores Running For Governor

We haven’t even reached the 2016 primary election yet, but with the governor’s race wide open two years from now, ambitious candidates know they have little time to waste in order to raise money to be viable in such an expensive state to campaign.

Chiang is the second statewide office holder to publicly open a fundraising committee. Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom took the same step more than a year ago. Both are Democrats, and they likely won’t be the only ones running to replace termed-out Governor Jerry Brown.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Controller Steve Westly and billionaire political activist Tom Steyer have all been floated as Democratic candidates. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin are potential Republicans who might run.