Josh Fryday

Josh Fryday served in the U.S. Navy. He earned a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a Navy veteran, former mayor, and a Member of the Governor's Cabinet. I'm a dad with three kids in public school, married to a second grade public school teacher, and proud to be the only candidate endorsed by the unions representing California's teachers and staff. I'm running because we need a new generation of Democrats to be tougher and stronger, to stop Donald Trump and greedy corporations hurting Californians.

As a JAG Officer in the Navy, I stood up for the Rule of Law, defended detainees, and testified before Congress against human rights abuses at Guantanamo Bay. As the only veteran in this race, I have the experience to lead California's fight against Trump's misuse of our national guard and military, and protect our families, neighbors, and democracy from Trump's ICE army.

On the Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission, I will stop Trump and Big Oil from new off-shore oil drilling. By doubling our production of clean energy, we'll cut pollution and reduce energy costs to save you money.

Born and raised in California, my family moved 17 times before I graduated high school. Our housing and cost of living crisis is personal to me.

I will take on the tough fights career politicians won't, to protect our democracy and make California more affordable for working families like mine. I'd be honored to have your vote. Learn more about my housing, energy, and jobs plans for California at www.joshfryday.com.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Stand up to the Trump administration and protect California. As the only veteran in the race for Lieutenant Governor, I have the experience to lead California's fight against Trump's misuse of our national guard and military, protect our neighbors from Trump's ICE army, and stop Trump and Big Oil from new offshore drilling on our coast. Unlike career politicians, I will take on the tough fights to protect our democracy and our families.Lower the cost of living and build the cleanest economy. Housing costs too much and working Californians cannot afford to live in the communities where they work and serve. We need to build more housing, help families buy a home or pay the rent, and lead the clean energy transition to cut energy costs and create good-paying jobs. California has the fourth largest economy in the world, and we cannot let states like Texas beat us in the clean energy economy.Create service and job pathways for all Californians. Like a GI Bill for California, we will make college more affordable, job training more accessible, and our workforce better prepared, all while bringing Californians together to create meaningful change.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I served in the Navy to protect our country and values. I stood up when our government abandoned the rule of law at Guantanamo, and I'll always defend democracy.

Affordability is personal. My family moved 17 times before I graduated high school. California has the worst housing crisis in the nation, and I know the strain families feel.

I care about clean energy, climate action, and protecting California's natural resources. I helped build a leading climate organization and launched California's first Climate Action Corps.

My kids attend public schools, I'm married to a public school teacher, and I went to California public schools from kindergarten through UC Law. Strengthening education is personal.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My wife, who could have done anything and decided to become a public school teacher.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Moral courage and a commitment to service over self-interest. Too many politicians avoid tough fights because they are worried about their next campaign. I believe elected officials should be honest with people, show up when it is hard, and deliver real results for working families. That is what I have done my entire career, from the Navy to the Governor's Cabinet, and it is what I will do as Lieutenant Governor.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The Lieutenant Governor sits on all three public higher education boards, the UC Regents, CSU Trustees, and Community Colleges Board of Governors, as well as the Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission. Those seats carry real power, and the core responsibility is to use them. That means fighting to make college more affordable, protecting our coast from Trump and Big Oil, and building the clean energy economy so California does not cede ground to states like Texas. It also means using the platform of the office to bring people together and take on the affordability crisis hurting working families across the state.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to protect California from a President who is attacking our communities and values every day, and I want to help create a California where more families like mine can afford to live in.

I want everyone to be able to stay in the communities they love, and imagine our kids being able to come home and afford to live in the communities they grew up in.

I want California to lead the nation in clean energy and prove we can grow our economy while protecting our environment.

Lastly, I want to show we can once again bring people together to solve problems, take on tough fights, and actually deliver results for the people.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was prepping and maintaining little league fields when I was 13. I went on to coach at a summer baseball camp, and have continued this critical work coaching my sons!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The anxiety that so many Californians face regarding housing is personal to me and it's why I'm so passionate about building more housing and making California more affordable for families like mine.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Using every tool the office has to deliver results. The Lieutenant Governor's seats on the UC Regents, CSU Trustees, and Community Colleges Board of Governors give this office direct influence over higher education affordability and access for millions of Californians. I will use those seats to expand service and job pathways to give students debt-free options and push for building housing on university and public land. The Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission seats are just as critical. I will use them to block new offshore drilling and accelerate California's clean energy transition. This office has real power, and I intend to use all of it.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Most people do not realize the Lieutenant Governor is the only statewide official who sits on the governing boards of all three of California's public higher education systems. That means the Lieutenant Governor has a direct vote on tuition, student housing, campus development, and the future direction of education for millions of students and families. These are not ceremonial positions. They carry real authority, and the right person in this office can use them to lower costs and expand opportunity across the state.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Governor Gavin Newsom, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers, California School Employees Association, California Environmental Voters, Vote Vets, Senator Barbara Boxer, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Congressman Jared Huffman, Sacramento County Young Democrats, San Diego County Young Democrats, California High School Democrats, Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi, Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera, Fmr. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Stenberg, State Senator Melissa Hurtado, State Senator Henry Stern, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Assemblymember Chris Rogers (Partial List)

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The Challenger disaster. I distinctly remember being excited to watch the space shuttle launch in school and will never forget that day.