Seven Democratic Candidates Address California Labor Union Conference

Seven Democratic candidates competing to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom gathered at a labor union conference in Sacramento, emphasizing their support for union labor, affordable housing, and worker protections. The candidates—Toni Atkins, Xavier Becerra, Eleni Kounalakis, Katie Porter, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee—highlighted proposals including expanding unionized labor in housing construction, enforcing prevailing wages, and expediting permitting processes while maintaining labor standards. While most candidates expressed strong pro-labor stances, Villaraigosa faced criticism for hesitating to fully support unemployment benefits for striking workers, a contentious issue following Newsom's veto of related legislation. The event also included discussions on regulating artificial intelligence and funding for university research, with candidates largely endorsing pro-labor agreements for infrastructure projects. Republican candidates were noted by observers to be participating in broader labor and housing conversations despite their absence from this particular event. Labor union members expressed cautious optimism, underscoring the importance of accountability from candidates once in office.