This Marks Ninth Endorsement for Chiang in Less Than a Week
John Chiang’s campaign for governor today announced the endorsement of Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), his ninth endorsement during the California Democratic Convention. Takano is co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and is the first openly gay person of color elected to Congress.
“I have known John Chiang for over twenty-five years and I can say he is an honorable man you can trust,” said Congressman Takano. “As a public school teacher for 24 years and a community college trustee for 22 years, I believe John will be a great governor for our public schools, community colleges, and universities. As California’s first openly gay Member of Congress, I know John understands how important the fight for inclusion, diversity, and equality is for all Californians. He has a track record of results and a commitment to equality and uplifting all our communities, including the LGBTQ community. I know John has the integrity to lead and will always put Californians’ interests first, and I’m proud to endorse John to be our state’s next governor.”
“As a teacher, board president, and now as a lawmaker, Congressman Takano has dedicated himself to securing a better future for our students,” said Chiang. “I also commend Congressman Takano for his courage and for being a strong voice for the LGBTQ community. My top priority as governor remains investing in our children’s education, because I truly believe that education is the key to the American Dream. I also promise to continue to stand with the LGBTQ community and carry on my fight to push for increased LGBTQ representation on corporate boards. I thank Congressman Takano for trusting me to fight for inclusiveness and for lending his energy to my campaign’s growing momentum.”
In the last six days alone, Chiang has received nine endorsements from elected officials and organizations across California, including Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin, Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz (CD-5), San Diego City Councilmember Georgette Goméz (CD-9), State Senator Anthony Portantino (SD-25), former San Diego Democratic Party Chair Francine Busby, the Black Young Democrats of Sacramento, and the Democrats for Israel – Los Angeles.
John Chiang has been fighting for California students and the LGBTQ community his entire career:
- Chiang has put forward an education plan that would invest more in K-12 education, obtain and train new teachers, and return California to its community college roots, by providing every student with access to two free years of community college.
- As treasurer, Chiang helped launch the Every Kid Counts College Savings Matching Grant Program that provides $3 million in funding to help low- and moderate-income California families save for college.
- Chiang launched the Scholar Dollar program to make more than $300,000 available annually to K-8 public and charter schools to help pay for extracurricular and after-school programs.
- By restructuring California’s state debt, Chiang helped generate more than $6 billion for schools, infrastructure, and public safety.
- Chiang’s “30 and 30” plan calls on all corporations doing business with CalPERS and CalSTRS to have a diverse board comprised of at least 30 percent women and at least 30 percent with diverse backgrounds in terms of sexual orientation and cultural and ethnic composition.
- In 2015, Chiang led CalPERS to expand the definition of diversity on corporate boards to include LGBTQ individuals.
- During his time on the Board of Equalization and as controller, Chiang held numerous Registered Domestic and Same Sex Partner seminars throughout the State of California.
- At the Board of Equalization, Chiang led the effort to rewrite the joint tenancy rules to include domestic partners and supported members of the LGBTQ community when they appealed their tax cases.