Ethan Penner Announces Independent Run for California Governor

California, September 16, 2025

News Summary

Ethan Penner, a notable figure in the commercial real estate finance sector, has declared his independent candidacy for Governor of California. He aims to attract voters seeking alternatives to the existing Democratic leadership while focusing on issues like tax cuts, regulation reduction, and homelessness. Penner officially launched his campaign at the Future Proof Festival, emphasizing his pragmatic approach to governance rooted in his extensive business background. His candidacy comes amidst a competitive field of Democratic nominees for the upcoming gubernatorial primaries.

California is set to witness a new face in the gubernatorial race as Ethan Penner, a prominent figure in commercial real estate finance, has announced his independent candidacy for Governor. The 64-year-old trader aims to attract voters seeking alternatives to the long-standing Democratic leadership while offering a fresh perspective that does not fully conform to Republican ideals.

Penner made his campaign official at the Future Proof Festival in Huntington Beach, a major event attended by thousands. His platform is rooted in addressing some of California’s most pressing issues, including tax cuts, regulation reduction, tackling homelessness, and boosting the state’s business environment.

The independent candidate describes his entry into the race as a response to the state being at a “crossroads.” He points out key concerns such as families and businesses leaving California, rising homelessness, and a challenging tax-and-regulatory landscape that he deems oppressive. Offering a pragmatic approach stemming from his extensive background in finance and business, Penner believes he can unite Californians across the social spectrum.

Committed to the welfare of future generations, Penner’s experience extends beyond real estate; he is an educator who teaches graduate-level courses at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and Pepperdine University. His background includes a significant role in creating the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market during the 1990s while working at Nomura Securities. In recent years, he founded Mosaic Real Estate Investments in 2015 and co-founded Reven Office REIT in January 2024, aiming to raise $1 billion for office owners and distressed office debt investment.

In his campaign, Penner is critical of current government strategies addressing issues such as wildfire prevention, soaring living costs, and the increasing outmigration of residents from California. His independent approach, he believes, can offer a solution to these long-standing challenges and help restore faith in local governance.

As he prepares for the upcoming electoral procedures, notable Democratic contenders in this race include Xavier Becerra, Eleni Kounalakis, Katie Porter, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee. Gavin Newsom, the current governor, is term-limited, paving the way for significant competition in the upcoming primaries. Candidates must file their nominations by early March 2026 to participate in the June 2, 2026, primary election.

The political landscape ahead promises to be dynamic with an independent candidate like Ethan Penner, who, through his extensive career in finance, aims to create a diverse coalition of voters eager for change, focusing on practical solutions for California’s immediate and future challenges.

Key Features of Ethan Penner’s Candidacy

• Independent candidate aiming to provide alternatives to traditional Democratic and Republican views.
• Focus on tax cuts, deregulation, homelessness, and business climate.
• Notable background in commercial real estate finance and education.
• Critical of current government policies and conditions in California.
• Competing against prominent Democratic figures.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Bloomberg: California Governor Race Gets New Entrant with CMBS Pioneer Ethan Penner
• PR Newswire: Ethan Penner Enters Race for California Governor
• WR News: Ethan Penner Weighs Bid for California Governor
• Bisnow: Father of CMBS Ethan Penner Wants to be CA Governor
• Wikipedia: Ethan Penner

Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER

The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.