Governor Brown announces intent to run for re-election

Gov. Jerry Brown officially announced Thursday he will run for re-election this fall.

Other candidates in the 2014 race include former U.S. Treasury official and Republican Neel Kashkari and Republican State Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of Twin Peaks.

Recently, Brown has focused on increasing water conservation amid a drought and constructing a controversial high-speed rail system that would run from Sacramento to San Diego.

So far during his tenure as governor, Brown called for increased state funding to the University of California system, but also said the UC should be more financially prudent and improve their performance in areas such as graduation rates and transfer student enrollment. He has also advocated a four-year tuition freeze for the UC.

In January, Brown said the University of California should receive increased state funding in his proposed budget for next year, but not as much funding as the UC hopes to receive.

Brown’s job approval ratings have recently increased. A January poll by the Public Policy Institute of California found Brown has a 58 percent approval rating among adults who answered the survey, up from 47 percent in December.

The primary election for California governor will take place on June 3 of this year. The general election will take place on Nov. 4.