Stapler Sidebar: Next Governor
It’s November 2026, and the Next Governor of California Is …
… the person who gets the most votes. Sure, it’s a lot more complicated than that and while no one has a crystal ball, it is worthwhile to ensure the winner (of the 65 people currently running) knows you and your issues. In the public affairs and policy world, this is a core concern (and priority).
Right now, races are shaping up for 2026. While the contests for Governor, Lt. Governor, Treasurer, Controller, Insurance Commissioner, Senate and Assembly districts are slowly coming into focus, one thing is clear—come November 2026, there will be one winner and one loser for each office. To guarantee you and/or your members aren’t on the losing side of the ledger, I have outlined several things to consider to ensure your voice is heard and your priorities are reflected in the inevitable sea-change of policy positions.
The first and most important step is making sure your issues and your organization’s voice(s) are heard and understood by the candidates running for the offices that have the most influence over your priorities. When winners are declared, you can’t be caught flat-footed in today’s policy and regulatory world. Each of these offices can potentially have an immense impact on issues that are vital to your interests.
Stapler’s Tips for Success:
Policy White Papers: for each issue area, stake out your place as the trusted subject matter expert by identifying the source materials, supportive data and any research that supports your positions. Work with economists, academics, researchers and scientists as needed. These early investments pay handsomely in the long-term.
Public Opinion Research: simply put, know how your positions land with voters. Are certain messages more effective than others? Do you have unique pockets of supporters? Can these positions help a candidate (and you) win?
Creative and Compelling Messaging and Collateral: tight, clean messages supported by facts are the gold standard. Go through this exercise before you make that 30 second pitch. It’s crucial to being heard and remembered.
Campaigns within Campaigns: what’s the best way to ensure a candidate hears you? The simple answer - direct, person-to-person advocacy. Ask yourself, do prominent members of your group have direct or indirect connections? Are larger efforts needed – a digital campaign directed at a candidate? Can you leverage political money in an effective way?
Earned, Paid, Owned and Social Media: what’s a candidate’s favorite media outlet? Can you pitch a story in their preferred medium? Strategically placed op-eds often only have a small, however highly influential audience, so consider it as a tool.
Coalitions: How robust is your coalition? Have you recognized any unique groups that might have cross interests? There can be strength in numbers when quality meets quantity, so identifying the right teammates and correctly assigning roles and responsibilities is key.
There is a great deal to consider when looking to influence and inform candidates and this list – while not comprehensive – is a solid start. Giving yourself every advantage often means engaging with public affairs professionals on these efforts, who work day-to-day in non-election years with candidates, coalition builders, pollsters, political fundraisers, campaign consultants, media experts, opposition researchers and many more.
My parting advice – make sure you’re heard well before victories are declared. Candidates always remember early conversations that help shape them and their positions into winners.