As we reach the May pinnacle of California’s June 2, 2026 primary election — early voting by mail starts May 4 — 62 candidates have presented themselves as worthy of serving four years as our next governor. They include 24 Democrats, 12 Republicans, 19 “No Party Preference” candidates — meaning they are Independents like me — one Libertarian, and one Peace and Freedom candidate.”
California’s Crowded Race for Governor
Two contenders have abandoned their candidacies: former Congressman Eric Swalwell of Alameda County and State Treasurer Betty Yee of San Francisco. The former was exposed as a naughty boy, and Ms. Yee concluded her effort was fruitless.
You can, however, still vote for Oakland’s Margaret Trowe of the Socialist Workers Party or Redding’s Living for God and Country De Mott, whose legal name — no kidding — “means: Living a Life Reflecting the Good Character of Jesus Christ.”
Having been an Independent since May 1985, and the first non-incumbent Independent elected to the State Senate since 1874, I note again how the two major parties continue to designate legal Independents as “No Party Preference,” which is less engaging than “Independent.” Four applicants are members of political groups, such as the Socialist Party, that have not qualified as California political parties.
I’m tired of Democrats turning California into a one-party state and may vote for Republican Steve Hilton, although I endorsed former Los Angeles Mayor and State Senator Antonio Villaraigosa months ago — and then never heard from him.
Remember: under California law, the two highest vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, run again on November 3, 2026, for governor.
My Picks Down the Ballot
I favor Ebie Lynch, a veteran and nurse from Orangevale, for lieutenant governor; Dr. Shirley Weber for re-election as secretary of state; Malia Cohen, a Democrat, for re-election as controller; Eleni Kounalakis — who was raised in Sacramento and graduated from Dartmouth College, my alma mater, before marrying and moving to San Francisco — for state treasurer after serving two terms as our lieutenant governor; and Jane Kim, a former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member and strong liberal, for insurance commissioner. For all you Socialists, she’s endorsed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.
There are four Board of Equalization districts. San Francisco is in District 2, which extends up the California coast from Ventura County to Del Norte County, including San Mateo, where John Pimentel resides. John is a Democrat and was a College of San Mateo trustee elected by San Mateo County voters. We were engaged eight years ago in trying to qualify a new political party in California, and John was uncommonly perceptive.
Although the Board of Equalization is an unnecessary California appendage that should be abolished — my efforts to do so in 1997 and 1998 never succeeded — I can count on John to make it effective.
Finally, I’ll probably vote for Josh Newman as superintendent of public instruction. He’s a former state senator from Fullerton. There are seven other candidates, and I won’t be offended if you pick one of them.
City Hall Is at It Again
City Hall is at it again. For representing about 75,000 residents under district elections for supervisors, our “heroes” are paid $175,000 annually. They have four aides who receive $125,528 to $153,647 per year — all for serving only those 75,000 constituents.
The state Legislature enacted the California Voting Rights Act in 2002 with the alleged purpose of increasing minority representation by pressuring cities and counties to abandon at-large elections for district elections. Are we securing better service from City Hall? I don’t think so.
Now, after recalling Engardio as the Sunset’s supervisor, we get Alan Wong, who won’t survive the June 2 primary. As readers know, I’m backing David Lee on June 2; April polls show he is leading the pack.
And remember: “Behind every great man, there is a surprised woman.”
SFO: From Mills Field to International Airport
Let’s explore more exciting San Francisco activity: San Francisco International Airport, also known as “SFO.” It opened in 1927 as Mills Field with 150 acres. In 1930, it expanded to 1,112 acres, with its first international flights in 1946.
There is still a Coast Guard air station on its north end. Because of Sierra Club opposition and concerns over the ecosystem, a scheduled new runway on the east end was halted. SFO is still self-supporting and makes no money from our city.
School Enrollment Keeps Falling
The San Francisco Unified School District confronts declining enrollment. It’s down about 35,000 students, and the district still spends taxpayer money on school busing.
It’s not alone. Enrollment in California public schools declined this school year by 1.3%, or 74,961 students. California’s school enrollment is now 5.7 million. The largest declines, however, were in private schools, with a 3.7% reduction. Charter public school enrollment dropped 1.4%.
The declines are attributed to falling birth rates and reduced immigration. That causes budget deficits, staff layoffs, program reductions, and school closures. State funding for education is still about 40% of California’s general fund.
U.S. public school enrollment has dropped 2.3%, or 1.18 million students, since 2021. The Education Commission of the States predicts a national loss of another 2.7 million pupils by 2031. It’s a national problem.
Hispanic students constitute 56% of California public school students. That number declined by 48,064, or 1.48%. White students dropped by 31,076, or 2.68%. Between 2024 and 2025, immigration to California declined from 312,761 to 109,278.
The largest enrollment increases occurred in San Joaquin County, with 842 students; Placer County, 841; Sutter County, 802; Butte County, 200; San Benito County, 146; Glenn County, 82; and Yuba County, 58. Did I hear farming is the cause?
The High-Speed Rail Boondoggle Rolls On
The California High-Speed Rail Project continues to aggravate taxpayers — and one-time sponsors. The latest gimmick is offering bonus checks of as much as $5 million to any contractor that actually begins laying track in 2026 under a schedule the boondoggle authority adopted in 2025.
That would occur in the Central Valley, 18 years after voters approved $9.95 billion in bonds for electrified train service between San Francisco and Los Angeles — not Wasco, near Bakersfield, and Madera, near Fresno — which would mean trying to compete with Amtrak, which has been running diesel trains in the Central Valley for 50 years.
No hard 2026 deadline exists for the authority to do so, and no track construction contractor has been selected. Wait until Governor Newsom starts campaigning for president of the United States and is questioned about his failed project.
America at 250 — and San Francisco’s June Election
Meanwhile, I note that the minimum wage has not been increased since 2009. Maybe we can celebrate America’s 250th birthday by doing so.
The American Legion would like to celebrate in July with a special session of Congress in Philadelphia on July 2, the placement of the Semiquincentennial Time Capsule, a special Ball Drop Celebration in Times Square on July 2 — the first non-New Year’s Eve ball drop in its 120-year history — and America’s Ultimate Block Party on July 4 as a nationwide event.
Maybe that can affect Mr. “Bone Spur” Trump’s signature on U.S. currency, which was announced last month.
Lest I forget, we have the opportunity on June 2 to elect a genuine prosecutor to the San Francisco Superior Court. That’s Phoebe Maffei, an assistant district attorney for over a decade. Her only opponent is an assistant public defender.
Don’t forget David Lee for District 4 supervisor and Connie Chan for Congress. That reminds me that the mess in Washington shouldn’t be blamed on one man. It took real teamwork.
And remember: “Behind every great man, there is a surprised woman.”
Congratulations, Don Collins
Congratulations to my friend Don Collins, who will be inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame on September 26, 2026 at the Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco.
And don’t forget Mother’s Day on May 10, Arbor Day on May 17, and Memorial Day on May 25. See you at the Presidio for that one.
Quentin Kopp is a former San Francisco supervisor, state senator, SF Ethics Commission member, president of the California High Speed Rail Authority governing board and retired Superior Court judge.
May 2026
