Affluent aspirant Cloobeck shells out a substantial $1.4 million on TV commercials for the California gubernatorial contest
First-Time Democrat Stephen Cloobeck Launches Attack Ads Against Trump in California Governor's Race
Stephen J. Cloobeck, a newcomer to California politics, is making waves in the race to succeed Gavin Newsom as governor. On Monday, Cloobeck confirmed a significant ad buy, set to start on Tuesday and run until the following Monday, targeting President Donald Trump and his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The ads, broadcast statewide in California and in key out-of-state markets linked to Trump such as New York City, Washington, D.C., and Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, emphasise a stark contrast between Cloobeck's stance and Trump's controversial relationships. This approach marks a clear tactic to position Cloobeck as a "conservative Democrat" who fights for all Californians, using national-level figures and scandals to frame his campaign narrative.
Cloobeck's strategy diverges from focusing on California-specific topics and instead leverages national political controversies to differentiate himself among a crowded Democratic field without a clear frontrunner, especially after Kamala Harris decided not to run for governor. The campaign also couples the TV buy with a social media effort intended to broaden reach.
Cloobeck's net worth is unclear, but he has contributed $10 million to his campaign, in addition to the initial $3 million. His bookshelves are lined with pictures of himself with Democratic presidents and other party members, indicative of his long-standing support for the party.
In the 30-second ad, Cloobeck states, "Trump is for them. Stephen Cloobeck is for you." The ads feature images of and commentary about President Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Cloobeck made his fortune in real estate and hospitality, founding Diamond Resorts International. He played a critical role in renaming the airport in Las Vegas after Sen. Harry Reid. Cloobeck also appeared on the reality-television show "Undercover Boss."
The California governor's race has attracted a large and diverse field of candidates. With Harris opting against running, the race is now without a clear front-runner. Cloobeck's campaign spent "probably a couple hundred thousand dollars" on the effort at the California Democratic Party's spring convention, with canvassers who said they were paid $25 per hour wearing royal blue shirts emblazoned with Cloobeck's name and chanting his name.
The ads will run in every California market on cable, as well as broadcast television time in Sacramento. As the race heats up, Cloobeck's strategy could prove to be a game-changer, using national controversies to build his gubernatorial profile in California while underscoring his brand as a fiscally conservative but socially responsible Democrat.
References:
- California's crowded governor's race just got a little more crowded
- Stephen Cloobeck Enters California Governor's Race
- Stephen Cloobeck: The Billionaire Democrat Running for California Governor
- Stephen Cloobeck, Billionaire Democrat, Enters California Governor's Race
- Billionaire Democrat Stephen Cloobeck Enters California Governor's Race
- Stephen Cloobeck, a billionaire Democrat with a background in real estate and hospitality, has launched attack ads against President Donald Trump in the California governor's race.
- Cloobeck's strategy is to position himself as a "conservative Democrat" who fights for all Californians, using national political controversies to frame his campaign narrative.
- The ads highlighting Trump's controversial relationships and connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are intended to differentiate Cloobeck among a crowded Democratic field without a clear frontrunner.
- The ads will run in every California market on cable, as well as broadcast television time in Sacramento, with a significant ad buy from Tuesday to the following Monday.
- Cloobeck's campaign is also leveraging social media to broaden reach, as he has long-standing support for the Democratic party and has appeared on reality-television shows like "Undercover Boss."
