GOP’s Cox faces tough slog in race for California governor
LOS ANGELES — Republican John Cox thinks high taxes, a high cost of living and a growing housing crisis give him an opening to take on Democrat Gavin Newsom in the fight to be California’s next governor.
But he faces a tough slog convincing voters that they should cast their lot with a Republican in a state where the party’s support has eroded and Democrats routinely win every statewide election.
President Donald Trump’s tweeted endorsement helped Cox unify Republicans and get through Tuesday’s primary. But it could weight him down as he reaches out to independent voters.
“The idea that somehow wrapping yourself in the cloak of Donald Trump is going to help you win in California, I’m trying to be diplomatic here, it’s peculiar at best,” said Mike Madrid, a Republican political consultant who opposes Trump and worked on Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa’s campaign for governor. He said he’ll watch how the race unfolds before deciding whether to vote for Cox in November.