Criticism of Governor Newsom Following Stockton Tragedy
During a discussion on Wednesday evening, several Democratic candidates running for governor in California expressed their disappointment that Governor Gavin Newsom did not visit Stockton after a tragic mass shooting resulted in the deaths of three children and one adult.
The incident occurred at a children’s birthday party on Saturday night, claiming the lives of two 8-year-old girls, a 14-year-old boy, and a 21-year-old man. Despite the gravity of the situation and the subsequent media coverage, Newsom chose not to go to the location.
KCRA Political Director Ashley Zavala raised the issue, prompting responses from three Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls and one Republican candidate. Democratic candidate Ian Calderon stated, “I think the governor should have gone to Stockton. I spoke with the mayor, and she described the fear within her community, especially the concern about potential retaliation. This is an area that often feels overlooked.” He further added, “People feel like nobody cares about them; they only see politicians when they’re campaigning. They need assurance that the governor and state care, especially during tragedies like this.”
Antonio Villaraigosa, another Democratic candidate, reflected on his own experiences as mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013. He remarked, “When I was mayor, I always made it a point to show up in tough times—whether it was a police officer being shot or a family mourning a loss. I think being present is crucial.” He noted, “I’m not blaming anyone; I just believe it’s vital to be there.”
Betty Yee, a third Democratic candidate, voiced her compassion for the community, expressing the need to engage in discussions about the root causes of such violence. When asked by Zavala whether he would visit the site if he were in charge, Yee answered affirmatively, “Yes.”
Governor Newsom’s office has not offered any comments in response to the criticisms.
Chad Bianco, a Republican candidate and Riverside County Sheriff, also took issue with the governor’s absence, questioning the lack of strong leadership in addressing the violence. “Why aren’t state leaders voicing their condemnation of this violence? As governor, I would ensure I’m present for my community and strive to make California the safest state,” Bianco stated.
He continued, “It’s telling of the selfishness among our elected officials that they seem only to act in their own interests, neglecting the suffering communities like ours, perhaps due to ambitions or distractions.”
Reports confirmed that the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office received notice of the shooting shortly before 6 p.m., with 14 individuals suffering from gunshot wounds, four of whom sadly passed away. By Tuesday, the victims had been identified as Journey Rose, 8, Maya Lupyan, 8, Amari Peterson, 14, and Susano Archuleta, 21, raising the total number of injured individuals to 17.
