Toni Atkins outraises her fellow Democrats in the race to become California governor
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ATKINS RAKES IN MORE CASH THAN CAMPAIGN RIVALS
Former Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, who is running for California governor in 2026, announced that her campaign has outstripped her Democratic rivals when it comes to fundraising, bringing in $1.6 million between Jan. 1 and June 30 of this year.
That’s more than Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis ($1.4 million), former Controller Betty Yee ($593, 691) and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond ($317,863). It’s also more than the recent $1.5 million fundraising haul by race newcomer Antonio Villaraigosa.
While it’s still early in the gubernatorial race, since there’s this whole 2024 election to get through first, Atkins’ fundraising prowess is likely to offer her a sizable advantage in her bid to become the first woman to be elected governor of the Golden State.
CONSUMER WATCHDOG NOTCHES A WIN
Via Stephen Hobbs...
Consumer Watchdog, the outspoken advocacy organization that often challenges insurance companies trying to raise prices for automobile and home coverage, came away with a win Friday.
The Department of Insurance re-affirmed that it believes the organization represents the interests of Californians. That will allow Consumer Watchdog the chance to receive money when protesting price hikes. Those challenges are under increased scrutiny as the state faces a turbulent insurance market.
The department’s approval wasn’t guaranteed. The agency gave outside groups the chance to comment on Consumer Watchdog’s status. And insurance industry officials responded with scathing criticism, arguing the organization was driven by self-interest.
Despite not siding with the industry, the department raised concerns in an order granting the approval.
“Consumer Watchdog states it has no members. It is unclear how an organization with no members can represent the interests of consumers if they are not accountable to the consumers they claim to represent.”
Carmen Balber, Consumer Watchdog’s executive director, said the department was parroting complaints from the insurance industry. “There is no legitimate way to question whether Consumer Watchdog speaks for consumers,” Balber said.”
KOUNALAKIS PAC LAUNCHES ANTI-VANCE AD
Kounalakis may be running for governor in 2026, but that doesn’t mean she’s sitting out the 2024 election.
In fact, her Californians for Choice PAC just released an ad, titled “Counting On Us,” slamming Ohio Republican Sen. JD Vance, former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee, over the senator’s anti-abortion stance.
The 30-second spot features Kounalakis saying “It’s time to fight for Kamala Harris and all California Democrats, because the women of America are counting on us.” Harris is the Democrats’ nominee for president.
Abortion is likely to be a top talking point for Democrats since it’s a perceived weak point for Trump. Californians strongly favor the right of pregnant people to obtain abortions, with nearly 67% of state voters voting in 2022 for Proposition 1, the ballot measure to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state Constitution.
Kounalakis’ family has been a major supporter of Harris; in January this year, Kounalakis’ father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, hosted Harris for a fundraiser.
According to Kounalakis spokesman David Beltran of Bearstar Strategies, the Californians for Choice ad is running statewide on both cable and online. The PAC is spending between $500,000 and $1 million on the ad buy.
You can watch the ad here.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Google is a monopoly. And corporate surveillance is at the root of their monopoly power. Today’s court decision is great step toward ending Big Tech’s rein of terror and breaking the stranglehold that monopolies like Google have over the Internet.”
- Evan Greer, director of digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future, discussing Monday’s court ruling that Google’s search engine functions as an illegal monopoly in a statement.
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