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. Even more importantly, you may have the chance to ask questions and make your voice heard.
Don’t miss your chance to engage with the people who want to lead our state and to ensure they understand the realities and needs of state employees.
Please note: this limited-capacity event is exclusive to SEIU Local 1000 members; guests will not be permitted under any circumstances. Advance registration will be required to secure your spot.
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 (Northern California locations to be determined). Due to limited seating, advance registration will be required to secure your spot. Click here to register!
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, Ontario
12501 Imperial Highway
Suite 510
Norwalk, CA 90650
Toni Atkins - Invited
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.
Eleni Kounalakis - Invited
Democrat
Kounalakis is currently serving her second term as California’s lieutenant governor after she was re-elected in 2022. In 2010, she was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Hungary by President Barack Obama where she worked to promote democracy and America’s interests abroad for three and a half years.
Katie Porter - Invited
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 - Invited
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 - Invited
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.
