Reform California with Carl DeMaio · Carl DeMaio

Meet Jennifer Hawks, Our Pick for CA State Treasurer!

March 22, 2026·16 min·1 clip

Jennifer Hawks exposes how California's high-speed rail project exploded from $33 million to $130 billion without laying a single track.

This episode features an interview with Jennifer Hawks, the Reform California-endorsed Republican candidate for California State Treasurer, conducted by host and organization chairman Carl DeMaio. DeMaio frames the interview as urgent, arguing Republicans risk being shut out of statewide races in the upcoming primary. Hawks explains the State Treasurer oversees the state's investment pool and bond issuance, while also serving on influential boards like those for CalPERS and CalSTRS. She contends the current treasurer, Fiona Ma, and other board members enable financially risky decisions and "politically driven investing," such as pushing DEI policies on companies. Hawks highlights California's high-speed rail project, calling it a "train to nowhere" whose cost she claims ballooned from an initial $33 million bond to a current estimate of $130 billion. She alleges corruption in the project, mentioning investor Richard Bloom, the late husband of Senator Dianne Feinstein, and suggests funds were diverted to consultants. Hawks argues a key duty of the Treasurer is to act as a fiscal watchdog who can reject bond offerings deemed unlawful or irresponsible. She expresses deep concern about wealthy individuals like Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick leaving California, claiming the state has lost nearly $80 billion in tax revenue from departing billionaires. Hawks describes her professional background, including roles in banking, human resources, and 20 years as an administrator at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton, where she managed a budget of $55-$58 million. DeMaio urges support for Hawks to prevent another Republican candidate, David Serpa, from advancing, labeling Serpa a liberal who supports universal basic income and wealth taxes. DeMaio also praises Hawks for her volunteer work collecting signatures for a California Voter ID initiative. Hawks states her management style would involve building trust with rank-and-file employees to potentially uncover wrongdoing, and she questions the independence of the state auditor, who is appointed by the governor. The tone is conversational and advocacy-focused, clearly aimed at mobilizing Republican voters ahead of the primary. This episode would strongly appeal to California Republican voters and listeners concerned about state fiscal policy, government transparency, and challenging Democratic control. Listeners seeking a neutral analysis of the State Treasurer's office or the high-speed rail project would likely find it less informative.

As heard by us

A campaign-heavy treasurer pitch with a useful candidate bio and a light civics primer.

The segment frames the California State Treasurer race as a taxpayer issue and lets Carl DeMaio make the case for Jennifer Hawks before the June primary.

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Why you'd press play

You want a fast pitch on Jennifer Hawks' California State Treasurer run.

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