Business as usual for Jerry Brown the day after primary victory

The morning after taking a major step toward an unprecedented fourth term, Gov. Jerry Brown held no public events, nor did he rally with other Democratic candidates before a bank of cameras.

Instead, Brown went to his office Wednesday morning and worked on his budget proposal, which must be passed by the Legislature by midnight on June 15.

Wednesday was a likely template for his behavior between now and the fall.

“He’s got a day job that’s rather consuming and important, and it’s about doing the people’s work,” said political advisor Dan Newman, who said Brown was focused on making sure the budget remained balanced and creating a rainy-day fund which will stabilize the state’s long-term finances.

Newman said such efforts are more beneficial to voters than political appearances.

“You want to know how the governor will govern? Watch the governor govern. You want to know his priorities? Look at what he’s accomplished and what he’s working on. That’s actually more valuable for voters than watching somebody give a speech or put together some sort of event: watching the guy do the job he’s running for and making an informed decision,” Newman said.

Politicians often use their elected offices to create positive headlines during campaigns. But Brown also has a history of forgoing long campaigns, and this year he is unlikely to begin politicking until well after Labor Day.

In his gubernatorial bid in 2010 and his temporary tax-hike ballot measure campaign in 2012, Brown dismissed calls from his allies to begin actively campaigning earlier, arguing that few voters pay attention during the summer and that an early start was a waste of resources. Those races were far more competitive than the gubernatorial contest is expected to be this year, as Brown faces a first-time GOP candidate, Neel Kashkari, who has struggled to raise money.

Brown has raised $21 million and appears to be hoarding it -- on Tuesday morning, when he addressed reporters after voting in Oakland, the makeshift podium he spoke at was actually a dresser found at a nearby dumpster with a sign that said “Free” taped to it.

“As he’s shown through his actions as governor, he’s resolutely unwilling to make unneeded expenditures,” said Newman, who was charged with dragging the dresser from the dumpster -- and back, once Brown finished his press conference.