The consequences for 40 million residents, including more than five million public school students, will be enormous. We hope you will wait for our recommendation.

He or she will inherit a state that has suffered a steep decline in competence since the current governor took office. The election takes place in 21 months, many candidates have announced, more will do so, and there is plenty of time for due diligence.

Even more millions are affected by decisions donors make about elections for statewide offices. That’s why GFC’s top priority is to help elect a competent governor who will govern in the public interest.

Before she became mayor, Ms. Bass had no experience as an executive. That’s not always fatal but it should raise a red flag and encourage a thorough evaluation if for no other reason than the consequences will fall on millions of people.

Do you think he exercised due diligence before making that choice? That doesn’t seem likely. Mayors run executive branches of local governments, the principal responsibility of which is to deliver high quality public services.