Two takeaways from real estate mogul Rick Caruso’s decision to run for neither LA mayor nor California governor in 2026, after months of will-he-or-won’t-he scuttlebutt:
One: California gained a builder, but lost a leader.
Two: The state needs to detox its politics.
It’s great that Caruso will continue his laudable work, including through Steadfast LA, to speed recovery from the February fires that devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena. His development chops and focus on post-fire rebuilding have tangibly advanced recovery.
At the same time, the builder’s political “no” leaves a void in the pending campaign: Voters, and public debate on the future of California and its largest city, will miss his common-sense voice.
Absent Caruso — or any viable moderate — in the race, campaign debate will likely focus more on progressive ideology than on issues such as crime, public safety, homelessness, fire recovery, energy costs, tax rates and other issues that matter to Angelenos and Californians.
Caruso’s pragmatism would have helped counterveil the hard-left ideology of leading Democratic gubernatorial contenders; his voice — in ads, debates, candidate forums, news coverage and more — could have transcended the usual performative dialogue.
In his statement declining to run, the billionaire cited his family’s preference along with a desire to focus on work that does the most public good. Steadfast LA, his self-funded nonprofit, brings real help to fire victims, including recovery grants for low-income residents and small businesses.
Caruso also deems this “an extremely toxic time in politics,” per those close to him. For evidence that it may be getting worse, see the nearby editorial on Gov. Newsom’s latest antics.
Is it any wonder that Caruso declined to pour $100-million-plus of his fortune into a run for high public office, as he did in his 2022 bid for LA mayor?
If voters want better than Newsom and what likely comes next, they should order a detox. They can start by rewarding civility, focus, competence — and results.
Californians need to clean up state politics if they want Caruso-caliber candidates for governor, rather than a crop that provides constant fodder for Gutfeld.
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