Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, a gun-rights advocate, outspoken critic of illegal immigration and social conservative, has announced he will challenge Gov. Jerry Brown next year.
The Republican lawmaker made the announcement Tuesday at a furniture factory in the Los Angeles County city of Baldwin Park.
VIDEO: Donnelly Talks Ariz.-Style Immigration Law
A staunch conservative, Donnelly says he is unfazed by California's left-leaning electorate.
He says he will ``unite the divided majority'' through a grassroots campaign offering voters an alternative to high taxes and what he describes as government interference by Brown and fellow Democrats.
Next year is the first in which candidates for governor will run in a top-two primary, meaning they do not need the party's endorsement.
Brown has yet to announce a re-election bid but has amassed nearly $16 million.
