Kiley weighs his options + Is a ‘Red Wave’ coming? + Police want more training

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

KILEY PONDERS HIS POLITICAL FUTURE

Fresh off of his failed bid to become California’s next governor, Rocklin Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley is pondering his next move, which could involve a repeat challenge against Gov. Gavin Newsom or even a run for a seat in Congress.

Kiley’s campaign team sent out a letter to supporters asking for their help in deciding what he should do next.

“Next year is shaping up to be a promising one in politics. I’m writing to ask for your guidance on the best way to build our movement and carry on the fight,” Kiley said in the letter.

Kiley netted just over a quarter million votes during the California recall election, putting him in sixth place in that contest.

Now, the Republican Assemblyman — who has been in that office since 2016 — says he has three options: Stay in the Assembly, run for governor “building on the strong foundation we now have in place for a statewide race,” or make a bid for a seat in Congress.

“California’s districts are being redrawn, and it appears there may be an opportunity to flip a Democrat seat where I live. I’ve been asked to consider running to help retake control of the House,” Kiley said in the letter.

“In both Sacramento and Washington, we need representatives who will fightback against corruption, ineptitude, and radicalism – and fight for the principles that have made America the greatest country in the world,” he wrote.

IS A ‘RED WAVE’ COMING TO CALIFORNIA?

The California Republican Party took a vicarious victory lap Wednesday, a day after Republicans scored electoral wins in several states, most notably winning the Virginia governor’s mansion.

“Last night’s election results, particularly in Virginia, should be a wake up call for California Democrats that voters are concerned about the major problems facing the Golden State. Our guess is that they will continue to press forward with California Socialism but at their own risk. We think that, as was the case in key 2020 California Congressional races, the 2022 red wave is coming,” the California GOP said in a statement Wednesday.

The California GOP cited Virginia exit polls, which showed voters there concerned about the economy and jobs, education and taxes.

“Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom and California Democrats are responsible for a struggling economy, government overreach and disastrous policies that are eroding the foundation of our state. Next year, California voters will have the opportunity to elect strong Republican candidates who reflect their districts, respect voters and make a California Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives. Republicans are committed to standing up for the people, and the California GOP is hard at work to make sure our candidates have the resources and support to win,” said California GOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson in a statement.

POLICE SAY MORE TRAINING NEEDED IN SURVEY

California law enforcement officers are largely satisfied with the training that they receive, but many feel that there are areas where more training is needed.

That’s the finding of a survey conducted by the Little Hoover Commission of more than 300 peace officers in the state.

According to the survey, more than 80% of officers said that the the training they receive is superior to training law enforcement gets in other parts of the country. Likewise, more than 80% said that stress-based academies provide essential training for California law enforcement, with 76% saying they should continue to be used and 64% saying non-stress-based academies are not as effective.

However, just over half of all those surveyed said that certain subjects are not given adequate due by the existing training curriculum.

“Mental health, de-escalation, legal processes and procedures, use of force, and officer wellness were identified as topics for which training is lacking,” according to the findings.

Nearly 70% of officers surveyed said that there needs to be greater consistency in training across the state’s 692 law enforcement departments and 41 basic training academies.

BONTA LAUNCHES ‘HOUSING STRIKE FORCE’

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday announced the formation of a “housing strike force” within the California Department of Justice aimed at addressing the state’s housing crisis.

The strike force will draw on the expertise of attorneys from the land use and conservation, consumer protection, civil rights enforcement and environment sections of the department “to address the housing crisis and alleviate its effects.”

“California is facing a housing shortage and affordability crisis of epic proportion,” Bonta said in a statement. “Every day, millions of Californians worry about keeping a roof over their head, and there are too many across this state who lack housing altogether. Our Housing Strike Force, along with the tenant roundtables and Housing Portal, will allow DOJ to ramp up our efforts to tackle this crisis and advance housing access, affordability, and equity across California. This is a top priority and a fight we won’t back down from. As Attorney General, I am committed to using all the tools my office has available to advance Californians’ fundamental right to housing.”

The strike force will enforce state and development laws, enforce tenant rights, mortgage servicing and other consumer protection laws, issue consumer alerts advising tenants and homeowners on their protections under state and federal law, issue guidance letters to local governments, defend state housing and tenant protection laws from legal challenges and advocate with the Legislature as well as state and federal agencies to advance a right to housing, according to a statement from Bonta’s office.

“California has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address its housing crisis thanks to the historic $22 billion housing and homelessness investments in this year’s budget. But it’ll only work if local governments do their part to zone and permit new housing,” said Gov. Newsom in a statement. “The Attorney General’s emphasis on holding cities and counties accountable for fair housing, equity and housing production is an important component to the state’s efforts to tackle the affordability crisis and create greater opportunities for all Californians to have an affordable place to call home.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Remember 30 days ago when the Democrats had the roadmap to midterm success after the California recall?”

- GOP consultant Mike Madrid, via Twitter.

Best of the Bee:

• California Treasurer Fiona Ma has raised more than $50,000 for her legal defense against a lawsuit that alleges she sexually harassed an employee, campaign finance filings show, via Sophia Bollag.

• Don’t count on Gov. Gavin Newsom or President Joe Biden to clear up supply chain problems this holiday season, via David Lightman.

• California state government is advertising thousands of openings, with some of the state’s largest agencies — including the California Department of Transportation, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Employment Development Department looking to fill many empty employee slots, via Andrew Sheeler.