Less than two months before the California gubernatorial primary, the powerful Service Employees International Union of California (SEIU California) must choose a new candidate after Eric Swalwell with drawn from the race. Although he doesn't mention names, his new president, Arnulfo de la Cruz, acknowledges that it could be a Latino or a woman.

Today, SEIU California, which has nearly one million members, could announce its endorsement of the candidate its members had to choose, once Furthermore, in an interview with La Opinion, De La Cruz dismissed the idea that money can buy the governorship.

Do you think the candidate who has spent the most money is the one who can buy the election?

“No. In terms of resources, a minimum is required to launch a gubernatorial campaign. You don't win the election with money. Yes, you need money, but you also need people, and that's the power of the union,” I responded.

“Do you have resources and do you have people? We have thousands of members in all the communities of California,” he added. "So, it's about that coalition of different unions, community organizations, small businesses, with faith communities. The coalition can be massive with very few resources. Or, with the bare minimum, you can put together a gubernatorial campaign in California. No, it's not just about money; it's about having the faith and trust of the people's voters."

With so many candidates, the primary election on June 2nd, and the fact that the Democratic Party hasn't defined a strong candidate who unites all the aspirations of those who will go to vote, doesn't that mean internal division within the party and that they're handing the governorship to the Republicans on a silver platter?

“Of course, it could be. It's possible that two Republicans could make it to the California general election in 2026 [Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco]. voters in California are Democrats, that does mean we "It worries me a lot."

Do you think the union is ready for a Latino candidate? Do you believe within the union that it's not yet time for a Latino to be governor?

“Absolutely.This election could see the first Latino candidate [Xavier Becerra or Antonio Villaragoisa] elected as governor of California; it could also see the first woman elected as governor of California,” he responds. “It could also see the first person elected who has never held an elected office and who has very progressive ideas for changing the tax structure [Tom Steyer].”

Having the first Latino governor in California would be historic, wouldn't it?

“That would be historic. There's an opportunity to do that, depending on who wins…we also have a woman, or rather, several.” Katie Porter is the only one, following Betty Yee's withdrawal.

SEIU California rescinded its endorsement of Swalwell after allegations of sexual abuse. The former California gubernatorial candidate withdrew from the race and resigned from the House of Representatives.

“As a predominantly women-led union, SEIU has prioritized fighting for workplaces free of harassment and sexual assault,” was the official statement from SEIU California in a press release.

“Many of our members have suffered sexual harassment, coercion, abuse, and rape at work and know firsthand how difficult it is to come forward under any circumstances, but especially when they know the abuser has more power than they do and that their life and future are at stake.”

Steyer has the money, Becerra has the people

Data compiled by advertising tracking firm AdImpact reveals that Steyer has spent or booked more than $115 million on ads for broadcast television, cable television, and radio; a figure that almost triples that of his closest Democratic rival.

However, Xavier Becerra, the son of Mexican immigrants, in a new Independent Voter Project poll of 3,404 California voters with a high probability of participating in the primary elections, is leading the race for governor with 23 percent.

He is followed by Republican Steve Hilton with 19.7 percent; then by fellow Republican Chad Bianco with 16.68 percent, Democrat Tom Steyer with 13.9 percent, and Katie Porter with 11.39 percent.

California State Comptroller Betty Yee announced this week that she is withdrawing from the race for governor of California.

The poll was conducted between April 14 and 20, among registered and verified voters, selected directly from the California voter registration database.

Each respondent was required to have a documented history of participation in at least three of the last four most significant states elections.

The SEIU has little time to complete the selection process for a new candidate for governor, which also includes Tony Turmond, superintendent of public education.

To choose the candidate, according to De la Cruz,they would analyze their years of activism in registering voters, helping people achieve citizenship and then registering them to vote, "that they are champions in terms of supporting unions and workers"—regardless of the positions they have held as elected officials—that they have values, that they have demonstrated their leadership, "and that they have raised their voices for the policies they have supported throughout their careers, among many other characteristics."

Everyone, except the mayor of San Jose, emphasized that, from the beginning of the race for governor, "we were very clear that we are not in favor of Mahan [Mat Mahan, mayor of San Jose] because he has done harmful things against unions in Santa Clara County.”

He added: “We have little time left to make a decision about who we will support and receive mail-in ballots from union members,” he said. “The process has been difficult with so many candidates, and we don't take anything away from any of them in terms of supporting working families.”

I have considered that there are “good candidates” who have done a lot for SEIU California, “but who have very little chance of reaching the governor's members house in Sacramento because they haven't been able to raise funds in California to run a gubernatorial campaign in all 58 counties.”

“It takes a lot of resources to put together a campaign and talk to 26 million voters. I mean, you can't do that with a campaign shack with 10 volunteers and $1 million.” It takes far more resources, a massive coalition of different sectors, to launch a gubernatorial campaign. So I see few who have been able to muster the necessary resources and cohesion to run a gubernatorial campaign in California.” Everyone, except the mayor of San Jose, emphasized that, from the beginning of the gubernatorial race, “we were very clear that we are not in favor of Mahan [Mat Mahan, mayor of San Jose] because he has done harmful things against unions in Santa Clara County.” He added: “We have little time left to make a decision about who we are going to support and to receive mail-in ballots from union members,” he said. “The process has been difficult with so many candidates, and we don't take anything away from any of them in terms of supporting working families.” I have considered that there are “good candidates” who have done a lot for the members of the SEIU California,"but they have very little chance of reaching the governor's house in Sacramento because they haven't been able to raise funds in California to run a gubernatorial campaign in all 58 counties." see few who have been able to gather the necessary resources and cohesion to have a gubernatorial campaign in California. Everyone, except the mayor of San Jose, emphasized that, from the beginning of the gubernatorial race, “we were very clear that we are not in favor of Mahan [Mat Mahan, mayor of San Jose] because he has done harmful things against unions in Santa Clara County.” He added: “We have little time left to make a decision about who we are going to support and to receive mail-in ballots from union members,” he said. “The process has been difficult with so many candidates, and we don't take anything away from any of them in terms of supporting working families.” I have considered that there are “good candidates” who have donated a lot for the members of the SEIU California, “but they have very little chance of reaching the governor's house in Sacramento because they haven't been able to raise funds in California to run a gubernatorial campaign in all 58 counties.”

“It takes a lot of resources to put together a campaign and talk to 26 million voters. I mean, you can't do that with a campaign shack with 10 volunteers and $1 million. It takes many more resources, a massive coalition of different sectors to launch a gubernatorial campaign. So I see few who have been able to gather the necessary resources and cohesion to have a gubernatorial campaign in California. I mean, you can't do that with a campaign shack with 10 volunteers and $1 million. It takes many more resources, a massive coalition of different sectors to launch a gubernatorial campaign. So I see few who have been able to gather the necessary resources and cohesion to have a gubernatorial campaign in California.”