SACRAMENTO, Calif. — If anyone knows what it takes to rise to the top of the political landscape in California, it’s former governor Gray Davis.

He says becoming a recognizable figure in California politics is a hard task.

“This is a nation-state, it takes a lot of time to just get known,” said Davis.

Davis served as governor of California from 1999 until 2003. Since leaving office, he’s kept a close eye on the state’s Democratic Party and is particularly excited about the potential candidates in the 2026 gubernatorial race.

Lt. Gov. Ellen Kounalakis has already announced her candidacy. Other potential names to hop in the race are Attorney General Rob Bonta and Controller Betty Yee.

Davis says he is excited about the future of California’s leadership.

“I know them all well, and I know the state is in good hands, whichever of those three wins or if someone else emerges and is chosen by the voters,” Davis said.

Loyola Law professor and political commentator Jessica Levinson says that the potential list of democratic candidates is an established group within the state’s political network.

“They’re all people who have won statewide election. They all have preexisting networks of support, both in terms of name recognition, but also in terms of fundraising,” said Levinson.

She added that the governor’s seat is one that only opens up so often, and she expects members of the state senate to enter the race as well.

Former governor Davis said that whoever ends up winning will have big shoes to fill, noting that the governor oversees the fifth-largest economy in the world. He said the position is challenging, and the next governor will have to be prepared for whatever challenges come their way.

“Things happen that you don’t plan for, and you have to have the flexibility to pivot and focus on issues that matter to all the people of California,” Davis said.

Above all, he’s confident that whoever gets elected will continue pushing the state forward.