(5-20-26) Watch on demand now the California Politics Now election discussion with state of California lieutenant gubernatorial candidates

3 days ago
2 min read

ONME News talks with a state of California lieutenant gubernatorial candidate about issues in public higher education and more

By ONME News

Watch on demand with Julia Ann Dudley Najieb and Brigitte Jones as they host and moderate the California Politics Now Election Forum featuring state of California lieutenant gubernatorial candidates.

Key topics news hosts will address: California's public higher education systems:

University of California (UC) Board of Regents

California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees

California Community Colleges Board of Governors

The lieutenant governor of California seat description

The California Lieutenant Governor is the state's second-highest executive officer, responsible for stepping in as Acting Governor when the Governor is out of state or incapacitated. Elected to a four-year term, they serve as President of the Senate, sit on major higher education boards, and manage state lands and economic development. The office has a budget of nearly $3 million.

Key responsibilities include:

Acting as Governor: Automatically assumes the powers and duties of the Governor when the Governor leaves California, or if the office is permanently vacated.

President of the State Senate: Presides over the State Senate and casts a tie-breaking vote when the chamber is deadlocked.

Higher Education Oversight:

Serves as a voting member on the governing boards for all three of California's public higher education systems:

University of California (UC) Board of Regents

California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees

California Community Colleges Board of Governors

Land & Environmental Management: Chairs and rotates with the State Controller on the State Lands Commission, which oversees millions of acres of state-owned land, navigable waterways, and offshore oil resources. They also serve on the Ocean Protection Council and the Coastal Commission.

Economic Development: Chairs the Commission for Economic Development, which advises state leaders on economic planning, business retention, and trade.

Ad-Hoc Duties: The Governor may delegate additional tasks, councils, and policy initiatives to the Lieutenant Governor

2026 State of California Lieutenant Governor Candidates

Democratic Party

1. Josh Fryday, chief service officer for Governor Gavin Newsom and former mayor of Novato

2. Janelle Kellman, former mayor of Sausalito

3. Jeyson Lopez, customer service consultant

4. Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (previously ran for governor)

5. Oliver Ma, civil rights attorney

6. Tim Myers, musician and record producer (previously ran for CA-41)

7. Abdul Sikder, San Francisco State University professor

8. Michael Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton (2017–2021)

Republican Party

David Collenberg, farmer and business owner
David Fennell, entrepreneur and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018 and 2022
Ebie Lynch, nurse
Gloria Romero, former Democratic majority leader of the Calif. Senate (2005–2008) from 24th district (2001–2010)
Skip Shelton, defense technology executive