Highlights of the California gubernatorial primary election
TODAY Californian’s Paris Barraza brings you the latest on the California gubernatorial race, including leading candidates and the latest polling, ahead of the June 2 primary.
Obama’s last name is set to make a political comeback in California. I agree.
Barack D. Obama Shaw is just one of more than 60 candidates running in the California gubernatorial primary this week. Obama legally changed his name from Cecil Shaw III more than a decade ago, while serving in the U.S. Army Reserve from 2008 to 2016, according to his campaign website.
“When I got attention…and I had a picture of him (Barack Obama) on my wall, I was proud,” he recently told Spectrum News. “He made it possible for people like me to become president.”
Obama Shaw praised the former president because “Barack Obama brought hope to the world unlike anything I have ever seen or experienced,” according to his campaign website. He added that the former president “inspired me to legally change my name because I believe people today need the same kind of hope.”
Obama Shaw is also an active member of the community, hosting the show “Alameda’s Got Talent” and teaching music to local children. He credits his musical talent to his grandfather, gospel artist Bro. Cecil Shaw Sr., who is mentioned in Ray Charles’ autobiography “Brother Ray: Ray Charles’ Own Story” and the 2004 film “Ray Charles,” according to the campaign website.
In an interview with Spectrum News, Obama-Shaw said his community involvement inspired him to run for governor of California on a platform of solving the homelessness crisis, building more housing and cutting unnecessary spending.
The candidate said he intends to carry the Obama name in elections starting this week, even though he is far behind other candidates, including billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra of Alameda, California.
“Barack Obama is a superhero. That’s me in his suit, that’s me,” Obama Shaw told Spectrum News. “I am the one who has the privilege of carrying that flag.”
When is the California gubernatorial primary election held?
California’s gubernatorial primary election is Tuesday, June 2nd.
The latest polls show Becerra leading a crowded field of candidates, including fellow Democrat Steyer and conservative Republican commentator Steve Hilton.
Under California’s “jungle” primary election rules, the top two candidates advance to the general election in November, regardless of party affiliation.
Contributed by: Terry Collins, Daniella Segura, Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
