With Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis running for Governor, a Southern California lawmaker has launched a campaign to replace her.
State Sen. Steven Bradford (D–Gardena) Bradford announced his candidacy on Monday for California’s number two position in 2026.
The big picture: Bradford has served in the California Senate since 2016, which followed a stint in the Assembly from 2009 to 2014.
- During his time in office Bradford was one of only two state lawmakers to serve on California’s reparations task force and has been pushing reparations bills in the Legislature.
- Bradford worked for decades at SoCal Edison, IBM and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps before making a jump into politics in the 1990s when he was first elected to the Gardena City Council.
- He is the chair of the Assembly Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.
What we’re watching: While the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026 has already drawn a crowded field with several high-profile Democrats, the race for Kounalakis’ seat has not heated up.
- Bradford became just the second candidate to launch a campaign for lieutenant governor on Monday, following California Treasurer Fiona Ma.
- Ma, who has been treasurer since 2019 and initially launched a campaign for governor before switching to lieutenant governor, served as the Speaker pro tempore of the Assembly from 2010 to 2012.
What they’re saying: “A lot of people hear this job title and think it’s a really sexy position,” Bradford told Politico. “But it’s really in the weeds.”
- Bradford told the publication that he has no desire to eventually run for governor if he is elected.
