Whitman says Calif. needs smaller government, more private-sector jobs to reclaim its promise

Whitman formally begins bid for Calif. governor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman is launching her bid for governor of California, promising to return a sense of optimism to the troubled state and saying she will “refuse to let California fail.”

She says creating public sector jobs, cutting state spending and fixing the education system will be her top priorities.

Whitman made the formal announcement Tuesday in Fullerton. It had been expected because the billionaire has pumped $19 million of her own money into her campaign operation.

She reiterated a promise to cut $15 billion in spending and eliminate 40,000 state jobs, although she hasn’t said what programs or employees should be cut.

She is seeking the Republican nomination next year, competing against state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former Congressman Tom Campbell.