Since Gavin Newsom, the Democratic candidate for governor of California, proposed free health insurance for illegal immigrants, the state’s gubernatorial election has quickly become a referendum on its sanctuary policies.
“San Francisco has the only universal plan for undocumented residents in America. I am very proud of that. We proved that it can be done without bankrupting the city,” Newsom added.
Newsom’s proposal was sharply criticized by President Donald Trump on Sept. 6. With California facing budget shortfalls in education, infrastructure, and affordable housing, Newsom’s plan to assist illegal immigrants may become a focus of opposition to his candidacy.
“What happens, I said, if the entire world decides to go to California because they get free health care, free medical care, and free education,” the president said during a rally in Montana. “California has just increased in size to 500 million people. I may even move to California to get free health care!”
Newsom’s proposal also was criticized by his gubernatorial opponent, Republican candidate John Cox.
“Gavin Newsom has decided to be a ‘Thelma and Louise’ candidate,” Cox said at a fundraising event in Lodi, California, on Aug. 30. He’s decided “to drive California off the cliff, holding hands with Bernie Sanders.”
Cox says he’s concerned that Newsom wants to spend money to offer free medical insurance to illegal immigrants, while the state is short of needed funding for education, as well as for water storage and infrastructure.
Cox was endorsed by Trump in a tweet on May 18, while Newsom has labeled himself as the leader of the liberal resistance to Trump.
California has led the nation in adopting sanctuary state policies, and the Trump administration has pushed back, filing a lawsuit earlier this year against the state that alleges obstruction of federal immigration enforcement.
