San Diego, CA – Days after launching his campaign for governor and announcing over $1 million raised, former two-term San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer announced endorsements from the majority of Republicans in the California State Assembly and Senate. Headlined by the Republican leaders in each chamber, the endorsements come as former mayor Faulconer’s campaign for governor continues to gain steam after his announcement on Monday.

Republican Leaders in Senate and Assembly Join Growing Chorus Ready for The California Comeback

“This is a movement to restore balance and common sense to Sacramento, and these elected leaders know how important that is because they have seen firsthand how Gavin Newsom’s one-man rule keeps the public, the media and the state legislature in the dark as his haphazard pandemic decrees upend our daily lives,” former Mayor Faulconer said. “California’s governor must be focused on safely getting kids back into classrooms, getting Californians back to work, and getting vaccinations out to the public.”

Former mayor Faulconer has emerged as the clear leader in the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. A proven leader with a record of winning in California, Kevin Faulconer has been elected twice in a city with just 24 percent Republican voter registration – a mirror of the state as a whole – by uniting people of all parties and backgrounds.

“If we want to turn California back into the Golden State, Kevin Faulconer must be our nominee for Governor,” said Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron. “He has a demonstrated track record of fighting new taxes, balancing budgets, stopping riots, and getting government back to basics. Faulconer has proven he can win in the city of San Diego, which shares critical issues similar to that of California. During his years of service he has reduced homelessness, worked to improve access to substance use and mental health services, affordable housing and enhanced business growth. That’s why he has earned my support and the support of the majority of my Assembly caucus.”

The endorsements from California State Assembly members include:

Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron
Assemblymember Frank Bigelow
Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham
Assemblymember Megan Dahle
Assemblymember Heath Flora
Assemblymember Tom Lackey
Assemblymember Devon Mathis
Assemblymember Janet Nguyen
Assemblymember Thurston “Smitty” Smith
Assemblymember Randy Voepel

“Kevin Faulconer is the Republican we need to lead the California Comeback. He solved big city problems as San Diego mayor – reducing homelessness by double digits, increasing police funding, helping protect jobs, and making government work for the people,” said Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk. “Gavin Newsom has put California on the wrong track. Kevin Faulconer is a proven Republican leader with a record of winning elections by winning support from all voters, regardless of party. That’s why he has earned my support and the support of a majority of California Senate Republicans.”

The endorsements from California State Senators include:

Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk
Senator Patricia Bates
Senator Brian Jones
Senator Jim Nielsen
Senator Melissa Melendez

The 36th mayor of San Diego, Faulconer has earned a reputation for returning ethics and integrity to public service and putting people above politics by focusing on the issues that matter to Californians.

Kevin Faulconer isn’t a Sacramento insider or wealthy multi-millionaire. He started off cleaning carpets while attending state college. And just like millions of Californians, he and his family have felt the effects of Gavin Newsom’s chaotic COVID-19 response. His wife had her small business devastated by the pandemic. Their children both go to public schools and have seen their education upended by the lack of leadership from the Governor’s Office.

From bringing California’s second largest city back from the brink of bankruptcy, to getting San Diego back on track after it was rocked by a corrupt mayor, to making San Diego the only big city in the state to reduce homelessness, Kevin Faulconer is tested and ready to keep leading. As America’s only big city Republican mayor, he has shown how to turn government around and return its focus to what’s important: serving the public. As Governor of California, Kevin Faulconer will work for us – and restore balance to our state.