State Workers — Your Voice Matters!
Join us Saturday August 16, 2025 for a special Governor’s Forum, where candidates for governor of California will speak about their vision for the state and discuss the topics that matter most to YOU.
This is your opportunity to hear directly from 2026 gubernatorial candidates about the issues that impact your work, your livelihood and your future. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a free lunch while engaging with the people who want to lead our state to ensure they understand the realities and needs of state employees.
Please note: this limited-capacity event requires advance registration to secure your spot.
This isn’t just another political event. It’s your chance to:
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- Hear each candidate’s vision for California’s future
- Learn how their leadership could impact your work as a state employee
- Ask questions and share what matters most to you and your colleagues
Why does this matter? The Governor plays a major role in:
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- Appointing department and agency leaders, including CalHR
- Influencing how we bargain at the table
- Shaping the state budget — including our salaries
Event Details
August 16th, 2025
11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(Check-in from 10:30 a.m.)
CSU Sacramento
University Union Ballroom
6000 Jed Smith Dr.
(Parking will be provided)
Broadcast Locations
For individuals residing outside of Sacramento, this exclusive event will be broadcast locally throughout California. Due to limited seating, advance registration will be required to secure your spot.
SEIU Local 1000, Oakland
436 14th Street
Suite 200
Oakland, CA 94612
SEIU Local 1000, Fresno
6725 N. Willow Avenue
Suite 101
Fresno, CA 93710
SEIU Local 1000, Ontario
1801 Excise Ave.
Suite 101
Ontario, CA 91761
SEIU Local 1000, Norwalk
12501 Imperial Highway
Suite 510
Norwalk, CA 90650
Labor Temple, Eureka
840 E St.
Eureka, CA 95501
IBEW Local 340, Redding
900 Locust St.
Room 7
Redding, CA 96001
Toni Atkins - Confirmed Attendee!
Democrat
Atkins served in the California Legislature from 2010-2024. She is the former Senate president pro tempore, where she served as the first female and first openly LGBTQ president pro tempore.
Xavier Becerra - Confirmed Attendee!
Democrat
Becerra has spent 35 years serving California, from the State Assembly to the U.S. Congress, as California’s Attorney General and the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Chad Bianco - Invited
Republican
Bianco is currently serving his second term as the Riverside County Sheriff after being re-elected in 2022. He has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement.
Stephen J. Cloobeck - Confirmed Attendee!
Democrat
Cloobeck is an entrepreneur with more than 40 years’ experience across hospitality design, development, finance and operations. He served as the inaugural chairman of the board for Brand USA Inc., a US government-formed nonprofit with the mission of promoting travel to the United States.
Steve Hilton - Invited
Republican
Hilton is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former Fox News host who became a U.S. citizen in 2021. He previously worked for the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher as well as served as an adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Katie Porter - Confirmed Attendee!
Democrat
Porter served three terms as a representative in California. During her time in Congress in 2020, Porter helped secure free COVID-19 testing for Americans. This year, she returned to teaching at the UC Irvine School of Law, where she is training a new generation of consumer advocates.
Tony Thurmond - Confirmed Attendee!
Democrat
Thurmond is currently serving his second term as California’s top education official after being re-elected in 2022. He has also previously served two terms as a state assembly member.
Antonio Villaraigosa - Confirmed Attendee!
Democrat
Villaraigosa was elected as mayor of Los Angeles in 2005. He has also previously held positions on the LA City Council and the state’s assembly.
Read more about Villaraigosa’s background and campaign here.
Butch Ware - Confirmed Attendee!
Green Party
Ware is an activist and educator specializing in the history of empire, colonialism, genocide and revolution. Since 2004 Professor Ware has been a full faculty member at Northwestern, Michigan, and now UC Santa-Barbara, teaching in History, Black Studies, and Islamic Studies.
Betty Yee - Confirmed Attendee!
Democrat
Yee most recently served two terms as the state’s controller. She also previously held positions as state budget director and had a seat on the California State Board of Equalization.
Michael Younger - Invited
Democrat
Younger has nearly two decades of experience across both the private and public sectors — shaping strategy at companies like AT&T and leading workforce and innovation initiatives at California agencies including CalPERS, Calbright College and the Labor & Workforce Development Agency.
