Thursday, October 2, 2025 | Informed with Anthony
Watch interview below.
Anthony: Gavin Newsom’s social media has changed—more all-caps, more “Trump-style” energy. With wildfires, crime, and chaos in California, what do you make of his pivot? Is he positioning for president?
Ché Ahn: Yes—he’s clearly positioning himself for 2028. You can see it in how he’s showing up on conservative platforms and trying to sound more “center.” He’ll say things like kids are too young for transgender content, or that men shouldn’t play in women’s sports—yet those statements contradict what California has actually been doing under his leadership. The point isn’t that he’s changed; it’s that he’s trying to appear moderate for the national stage while keeping California on the same track.
Anthony: How can he say those things without backlash from his party in California?
Ché Ahn: Because the legislature is solid blue. He can float “moderate” messaging while the machine keeps pushing the same policies. It’s strategic—he’s signaling to his base that this is for the “endgame,” not about changing course in California. He’s moving toward the center rhetorically to broaden appeal, but I don’t believe he intends to reverse the policies that have hurt families here.
Anthony: Many Californians think the “moderate rebrand” won’t work nationally because people know who he is. Others say voters have short memories. What do you think?
Ché Ahn: I think the short-memory factor is real. If he spends the next few years consistently messaging as “moderate,” many voters outside California will only see that version of him. Also, a lot of the loudest anti-Newsom voices in other states are California transplants—people who lived under his policies. That doesn’t automatically mean every Democrat in other states will reject him. That’s why I believe his national media strategy is intentional and tactically smart.
Anthony: You said you’d issue an executive order declaring there are only two genders. What do you say to Christians and pastors who aren’t outspoken on cultural issues and say, “It’s not my job to tell people how to live”?
Ché Ahn: I believe in a biblical worldview, and I don’t apologize for it. Truth matters because confusion is harming people—especially children. We’re watching a culture push increasingly complex “gender” definitions while kids struggle with identity and mental health. My conviction is that we must speak truth with love. Compassion doesn’t mean affirming confusion; it means helping people find clarity, dignity, and real hope.
Anthony: Where do you draw the line between compassion and confronting something that some call a dangerous ideology?
Ché Ahn: We must be compassionate, but compassion can’t mean reinforcing a lie. The Bible defines love as patient and kind—and it also says love rejoices with the truth. I believe people experiencing gender dysphoria need help and counseling, not instant affirmation with medical pathways. And we should learn from countries that have already started reversing course on youth transition policies. As governor, I want California to return to truth, parental rights, and common sense—especially in schools.
Anthony: Why are lawmakers going so aggressively after children—education, identity, and parental authority? What’s the end goal?
Ché Ahn: I believe there’s a spiritual dimension to this. Scripture says we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but spiritual powers. Historically, evil targets children because children matter deeply to God. When policies and bills make it easier to exploit kids, confuse them, or separate them from their parents, that’s not just “politics”—that’s a moral crisis. I believe leaders will be held accountable for what they enable.
Anthony: You mentioned specific bills and policies—how do they connect to what you’re describing?
Ché Ahn: Many policies are framed as “compassionate” or “humane,” but their real-world impact can be devastating. When law enforcement is restricted from intervening around minors at risk, trafficking can increase. When parental notification is removed for life-altering decisions, families are cut out of the most important moments. These aren’t neutral choices; they reshape society, and often the consequences hit children first.
Anthony: You’ve also talked about government failure—homelessness spending, corruption, and projects with no results. What would you do differently?
Ché Ahn: I would audit the spending—line by line. Californians deserve accountability. We’ve spent enormous amounts and outcomes keep getting worse. I want to bring transparency, cut waste, and redirect resources to solutions that actually work. A government that can’t account for results isn’t serving the people—it’s protecting the bureaucracy.
Anthony: On abortion, what would you do as governor?
Ché Ahn: I would stop state funding flowing to abortion providers and redirect resources to support women—especially single moms, teens, and families under pressure—so they aren’t driven into abortion out of fear and lack of support. I also want to make adoption more attainable and reduce barriers so more families can welcome children in need.
Anthony: Let’s talk immigration. You’ve proposed encouraging self-deportation with a reward—fast-tracking back legally for those without criminal records. Can a governor do that?
Ché Ahn: I believe California has used “state rights” logic for sanctuary policies, and I want to use lawful authority to incentivize integrity—self-deport, then re-enter legally and be rewarded for honesty. My goal is to uphold the law while also showing compassion with a pathway that encourages responsibility, not chaos.
Anthony: People ask, “How can a Christian support deportations when families are being separated?” How do you answer that as a pastor?
Ché Ahn: As a pastor, I’m called to love the foreigner and shepherd people—not act like law enforcement. I wouldn’t “turn people in.” But as governor, I would swear an oath to uphold the Constitution and the law. My approach is to pursue a balanced solution—justice with compassion—while protecting citizens and restoring order.
Anthony: Another question people ask: “Why not fix our home first before prioritizing newcomers?” What’s your answer?
Ché Ahn: Citizens come first—period. My priority is Californians: affordability, jobs, energy, education, public safety. But I also believe every person is made in God’s image. So it’s not either/or—it’s both: prioritize citizens while offering a lawful, structured pathway for those here who want to do the right thing and contribute.
Anthony: Energy and affordability—what’s your plan to stop California’s cost-of-living spiral?
Ché Ahn: We need common sense energy policy. California consumes massive amounts of fuel, and pretending we can flip a switch overnight is unrealistic. We’ve chased away refineries and increased dependence on imports—driving up costs and often increasing global environmental harm. I support responsible “creation care,” but it must be practical: produce smarter, refine cleaner, strengthen the grid, and reduce costs so families can breathe again.
Anthony: Homeschooling is growing because public schools are failing. Some parents fear the state will come after homeschool freedoms. What would you do?
Ché Ahn: I support parental rights 100%. I would protect homeschooling and expand school choice. I also support tax credits for homeschool families and allocating education funds so parents can choose the best education option—public, private, Christian school, or homeschool. Competition forces the system to improve, and it puts power back where it belongs: with parents.
Anthony: What about vaccines and mandates tied to school attendance?
Ché Ahn: Parents should have the right to decide what’s best for their children. Government shouldn’t coerce families. My position is to restore parental authority and medical freedom—without punishing families for informed decisions.
Anthony: Some people—even Christians—say faith shouldn’t shape government. How do you respond to “separation of church and state”?
Ché Ahn: The “wall” was meant to protect the church from government interference—not to ban people of faith from public life. Every voter is free to choose any candidate. But I’m not going to hide my worldview. I believe God’s truth applies to every sphere—government, education, business, media—because values drive laws. When you remove God from the equation, people lose their value, morality erodes, and society suffers.
Anthony: Why do you say Christians can be some of the best public servants?
Ché Ahn: Pastors and serious believers are held to moral standards—and they’re already vetted by their communities. A biblical worldview produces a foundation for human dignity, accountability, and truth. History shows that atheistic totalitarian systems crush people. I want to lead with wisdom—not just knowledge—and restore moral clarity to governance.
Anthony: People tell you, “Ché, why run? Why not just leave California for a red state?”
Ché Ahn: Because it’s a calling. I love California. We’ve been here for decades, raised our family here, and this state matters. I’m not running because it’s easy—I’m running because I believe God is calling me to fight for California’s future. Some people may feel called to leave; I feel called to stay and contend for renewal.
Anthony: You also discussed Israel, Gaza, and Christians who disagree about what “blessing Israel” means. What’s your perspective?
Ché Ahn: Christians are free to hold different theological views on Israel. Blessing Israel doesn’t mean endorsing every military decision or funding violence without discernment. I believe responsible blessing includes humanitarian support—medical care, emergency resources, and practical aid. I also believe wisdom is balancing justice and mercy, and that compassion must be grounded in truth.
Anthony: Do you believe someone “can’t be Christian” unless they’re pro-Israel?
Ché Ahn: No. Salvation is in Christ alone. Christians may disagree on theology, but the gospel is the center: repentance and faith in Jesus. My personal conviction is pro-Israel based on my reading of Scripture, but I don’t believe agreement on that point determines whether someone is saved.
Anthony: Any closing story that captures why this matters to you?
Ché Ahn: I shared a story about an Israeli family who, after October 7, felt compelled to find a church where Jesus is preached and came to faith. That’s the point: beyond politics, beyond headlines—people need truth, hope, and spiritual clarity. And that’s what I want to contend for, both as a pastor and as a candidate.