Good morning.

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John Chiang, the state treasurer of California, is a Democrat running to succeed Gov. Jerry Brown. California Today is conducting occasional question-and-answer sessions with candidates for office, and today is Mr. Chiang’s day at the plate. The interview, edited and condensed for clarity, was done for our story on the race.

Q. What do you think of how Governor Brown has done?

A. Jerry and I are aligned on making sure our fiscal house is in order. We don’t want to be a poor state. We don’t want to be broke — cutting health care, giving pink slips.

Q. How big a problem is homelessness in this state?

A. There are tens of thousands of homeless Californians. Do we take care of the vulnerable who live in the wealthiest state? To leave people in harm’s way is not acceptable. That is why I have tried to shore up the state’s financial position so we have the resources to take care of California’s homeless. The state has to partner with local governments — which I would hope to do as governor.