By Solange Reyner | Saturday, 23 May 2026 05:34 PM EDT
Actor Dean Cain criticized California’s Democratic leadership and voiced support for Republican candidates during an appearance on Newsmax TV’s “Saturday Agenda,” arguing that poor governance has driven residents and businesses out of the state ahead of next year’s elections.
“It’s the most incredible state in the union,” Cain said of California. “It has all the natural resources, everything you could possibly want, the greatest weather ever, but absolutely terrible governance.”
Cain said rising costs, business regulations, and state policies have caused many residents to leave California, including members of his own family.
“If you’re going to govern that way, people are going to run out,” he said. “Anybody who can afford to get out of there is gone or they’re in the process of getting out.”
Cain said his brother recently left California and that his sister is the only member of his immediate family still living there.
“I’m trying to talk her into getting out of there,” he said, adding that many residents would remain if the political climate changed.
“The question for California becomes, what do you want to do?” Cain said. “Do you want to continue ruining the most beautiful state in the union, or do you want to fix things and make California the Golden State again?”
Cain also discussed California’s “jungle primary” system, in which the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. He said there had been growing concern among Democrats over the possibility that two Republicans could advance in a major statewide race.
“There was a shot — it’s looking like less of a shot right now — but there was a shot that it would be two Republicans in there,” Cain said. “Then some people started panicking.”
Cain sharply criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, blaming Democratic policies for economic struggles and homelessness in the state.
“You see how California has been run into the ground by the governor horribly,” Cain said. “The policies, just for lack of a better word, the policies suck, and it sucks the money out of people and it sucks the life out of businesses.”
Cain also praised reality television personality Spencer Pratt, who has publicly discussed political issues and criticism of Los Angeles leadership following the loss of his home in a wildfire.
“Spencer’s been genius with his ads, and his AI stuff has just been genius,” Cain said. “It’s so effective because he’s the reluctant politician. He doesn’t want to be there.”
Cain contrasted Pratt with career politicians, whom he accused of seeking power and fame.
“What I don’t like are people who aspire to be politicians because they’re in it for the grift,” he said.
Cain said Pratt’s experience losing his home motivated him to push for change in Los Angeles.
“Karen Bass is a Marxist,” Cain said. “It’s not good for the city. It’s not good for the state.”
Cain added that Pratt’s proposals to address homelessness aligned with views he has held for years.
“Spencer wants to clean it up,” Cain said. “I’m behind him 100%.”
Dean Cain Blasts California for ‘Ruining the Most Beautiful State in the Union’
