The California Governor’s race is dominated by big-name Democrats.
But there are two Republicans running, including Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen who is currently polling in fifth.
As Capitol Bureau Reporter Kody Leibowitz tells us, the assemblyman believes his key to victory in the Golden State is tied to President Trump.
“I proudly support the President of the United States,” Asm. Allen tells Kody Leibowitz.
Allen is an unabashed supporter of President Trump. He sees his path to becoming Governor very simply.
“All we need to do is turn out the Trump voters and Travis Allen will be the next governor in the State of California. “
Allen compared Governor Jerry Brown’s vote total in 2014 to President Trump’s total in 2016.
Brown with 4.4 million votes. Trump had about 100,000 more.
But those numbers don’t take into account voter turnout – 30 percent in 2012 compared to 75 percent in 2016.
And, the fact President Trump lost California by more than 4 million votes.
Still, Allen is confident.
“Californians are ready for a change and that’s exactly why I’ll be the next governor of California,” Allen said.
He believes one of those changes is a repeal of the gas tax.
Allen says he dropped off petitions in Sacramento to help make that reality.
“I will tell you right now, we’re very close to having all the signatures,” Allen said. “We’re going to need to put that on the November ballot and reverse that gas tax.”
But while that was happening much of the attention was elsewhere.
The State Attorney General announced his department will provide oversight into the deadly Sacramento police shooting of Stephon Clark.
“I believe very simply that the police officers were acting in self-defense and they were acting to stop a threat,” Allen said. “With all of the police violence we’ve seen, actually violence committed against police officers, we have to understand that law enforcement personnel are there for our safety. We have to back the badge.”