Given California’s size and its cultural and economic impact around the globe, whoever captures its governorship instantly becomes one of the nation’s most prominent politicians and a potential candidate for president.

However, running for governor is not for the faint of heart. It requires early commitment, stamina, a thick skin and the ability to raise the huge amounts of cash.

That’s why, in most cases, serious candidates come from the ranks of lesser officeholders, spend years laying the groundwork their campaigns and declare themselves at least two years in advance of the election they hope to win.

Of the 10 men who have won the governorship since World War II — including Jerry Brown twice — only two didn’t use other offices as springboards: actors Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarze

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