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{{Short description|President/CEO Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2016}}
|name = Neel Kashkari
{{Infobox officeholder
|image = Neel-kashkari.jpg
| name = Neel Kashkari
|office = ]<br>{{small|Acting}}
| image = Neel-kashkari.jpg
|president = ]<br>]
| office = President of the ]
|term_start = October 6, 2008
|term_end = May 1, 2009 | term_start = January 1, 2016
| term_end =
|predecessor = Position established
| predecessor = ]
|successor = ]
| successor =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|7|30}}
| office1 = ]
|birth_place = ], ], ]
| status1 = Acting
|death_date =
| president1 = ]<br />]
|death_place =
| term_start1 = October 6, 2008
|party = ]
| term_end1 = May 1, 2009
|alma_mater = ]<br>]
| predecessor1 = ''Position established''
|religion = ]
| successor1 = ]
|website = {{Official website|http://www.neelkashkari.com/}}
| office2 = ]
| president2 = ]<br />]
| term_start2 = July 2008
| term_end2 = May 1, 2009
| predecessor2 = ''Position established''
| successor2 = ]
| birth_name = Neel Tushar Kashkari<ref name="white house fellows" />
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|7|30}}
| birth_place = ], ], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = ]
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Minal Jeshanke|||end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Christine Ong|2015}}
}} }}
| children = 2
'''Neel Tushar Kashkari'''<ref name="white house fellows">. ] archives, Feb. 27, 2006. Hosted at . Accessed Jan. 19, 2014.</ref> (born July 30, 1973) is an ] ]er and ]. As interim ] from October 2008 to May 2009, he oversaw the ] (TARP) that was a major component of the U.S. government's response to the ]. A ], he is running for ] in the ].
| education = ] (], ])<br />] (])
}}

'''Neel Tushar Kashkari'''<ref name="white house fellows">. ] archives, February 27, 2006. Hosted at . Accessed January 19, 2014.</ref> (born July 30, 1973) is an American banker, economist and politician who is the president of the ]. As interim ] from October 2008 to May 2009, he oversaw the ] (TARP) that was a major component of the U.S. government's response to the ]. A ], he unsuccessfully ran for ] in the ].

Born and raised in Ohio, and educated at the ], Kashkari worked initially as an aerospace engineer. After attending business school at the ] of the ], he became an ], covering the information technology security sector for ].


], the former head of Goldman, and then ], hired Kashkari as an aide. Kashkari was eventually named ]. At Treasury, he played a number of roles in the response to the financial crisis and the ] that preceded it, most notably administering the TARP.
Born and raised in Ohio and educated at the ], Kashkari worked initially as an aerospace engineer. After attending business school at the ] of the ], he became an ], covering the information technology security sector for ].


Kashkari left government and began working for ] in 2009, leading that company's push into the ] market. He resigned from Pimco in January 2013 to explore a run for public office. One year later, he announced his candidacy for ]. He came in second in California's ] but lost the ] to incumbent governor ].
When ], the former head of Goldman, was appointed ] in 2006, he brought Kashkari on as an aide. Kashkari was eventually named Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Economics and Development. At Treasury, he played a number of roles in the response to the financial crisis and the ] that preceded it, most notably administering TARP.


He was named the new president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve November 10, 2015, succeeding ] who announced his resignation in June.
Kashkari left government and began working for ] in 2009, leading that company's push into the ] market. In January 2013 he resigned from Pimco to explore a run for public office. One year later, he announced his candidacy for Governor of California. On June 3, 2014, he came in second in California's ], placing him on the general election ballot in November against incumbent governor ], who came in first.


==Early life and education== ==Early life and education==
]. Kashkari earned two degrees in mechanical engineering from UIUC.]]
Kashkari was born on July 30, 1973,<ref name="howard usa today">Theresa Howard. . '']'', Oct. 7, 2008. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref> in ], ], to Sheila Kashkari, a ] at ], and Chaman Kashkari, a professor of ] at the ].<ref>Sabrina Eaton. . '']'', Feb. 11, 2014. Accessed Feb. 11, 2014.</ref><ref name=ap/> His parents are ]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/the-kashmiri-pandit-who-wants-to-be-californias-governor/20140122.htm |title=The Kashmiri Pandit who wants to be California's governor |first=Aziz |last=Haniffa |publisher=] |date=Jan 22, 2014 |accessdate=Jul 9, 2014}}</ref> who immigrated to the United States from ] in the 1960s. Kashkari grew up in ], a suburb of Akron,<ref name=ap>]. . '']'', Oct. 11, 2008. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref> where his parents were well known within the local community of Indian ].<ref name="moore wsj">Heidi N. Moore. . '']'', Oct. 10, 2008. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref> His older sister, Meera Kashkari Kelley,<ref name="savage white nyt">] and Ben White. . '']'', Oct. 8, 2008. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref> is a ] specializing in ].<ref name="cruz time">Gilbert Cruz. . '']'', Oct. 8, 2008. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref> Growing up, his parents and sister were ], but his ] views led him to identify more with the ].<ref name="savage white nyt"/>
Neel Tushar Kashkari was born on July 30, 1973,<ref name="howard usa today">Theresa Howard. . '']'', October 7, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref> in ], ], to Indian parents. Kashkari's mother Sheila Kashkari, was a ] at ], and father Chaman Kashkari, worked as a professor of ] at the ].<ref name=cleveland.com>Sabrina Eaton. . '']'', February 11, 2014. Accessed February 11, 2014.</ref><ref name=ap/>


Kashkari's parents are ], who were both born and raised in ] in the ], within the erstwhile ] of ]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/the-kashmiri-pandit-who-wants-to-be-californias-governor/20140122.htm |title=The Kashmiri Pandit who wants to be California's governor |first=Aziz |last=Haniffa |work=] |date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=July 9, 2014}}</ref> and immigrated to the ] in 1964. They settled in ],<ref name=cleveland.com/> a suburb of Akron, where Neel Kashkari grew up.<ref name=ap>]. . '']'', October 11, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref> His parents were well known within the local community of ].<ref name="moore wsj">Heidi N. Moore. . '']'', October 10, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref> His older sister, Meera Kashkari Kelley,<ref name="savage white nyt">] and Ben White. . '']'', October 8, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref> is a ] specializing in ].<ref name="cruz time">Gilbert Cruz. . '']'', October 8, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref> Growing up, Neel's parents and sister were ], but his ] views led him to identify more with the ].<ref name="savage white nyt"/>
Kashkari attended ] before transferring to the ].<ref>Colin McEwen. Stow man nominated for U.S. Treasury position. ''Hudson Hub-Times'', Nov. 28, 2007. from the original at the Internet Archive on Mar. 6, 2012. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref> In high school he played ], ], and appeared in ]. He graduated in 1991 with honors in Mathematics and was elected graduation speaker.<ref name=ap/> In 2009, he described his high school grades as not good enough to apply to top-tier universities.<ref name="lin-fisher"/>


Kashkari attended ] before transferring to the ].<ref>Colin McEwen. Stow man nominated for U.S. Treasury position. ''Hudson Hub-Times'', November 28, 2007. from the original at the Internet Archive on March 6, 2012. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref> He graduated in 1991 with honors in mathematics and was elected graduation speaker.<ref name=ap/> In 2009, he described his high school grades as not good enough to apply to top-tier universities.<ref name="lin-fisher"/>
Kashkari earned bachelor’s (1995) and master’s (1998) degrees in ] from the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mechanical.illinois.edu/alumni/alumni-awards/mechse-distinguished-alumni |title=MechSE Distinguished Alumni |publisher=mechanical.illinois.edu |date= |accessdate=2014-08-18}}</ref> He was the team leader for the mechanical engineering component of the school's entry in the 1997 ], a solar-powered vehicle race.<ref name=ap/> About 30 to 40 students worked on the car,<ref name="wong trib">Wailin Wong. . '']'', Oct. 13, 2008. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref> which completed the race in just under 38 hours and 40 minutes, coming in 14th out of 36 competitors.<ref>]. . Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref>


Kashkari earned bachelor’s (1995) and master’s (1998) degrees in ] from the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mechanical.illinois.edu/alumni/alumni-awards/mechse-distinguished-alumni |title=MechSE Distinguished Alumni |publisher=mechanical.illinois.edu |access-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref> He was the team leader for the mechanical engineering component of the school's entry in the 1997 ], a solar-powered vehicle race.<ref name=ap/>
==Private sector==
After completing his master's degree, Kashkari moved to ], ] and worked as an engineer for ], a contractor for ]. There he worked on the ], developing a component meant to reduce vibrations and keep the telescope steady after being deployed.<ref name=ap/>


== Career ==
Kashkari left TRW to enter the ] of the ],<ref name=ap/> earning an ] in 2002. At Wharton he was president of the Finance Club<ref>Jane M. Von Bergen. Wharton grad's new job: clean up credit mess. '']'', Oct. 8, 2008. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.</ref> and organized the annual Wharton Finance Conference.<ref>Justin Fox. . '']'', Nov. 7, 2008. Accessed Jan. 15, 2014.</ref> Shortly before graduating he and other students traveled to ] to participate in a leadership training exercise run by the ] simulating a hostage rescue.<ref name="wong trib"/>


===Private sector===
Kashkari interned at the investment bank ] during the summer between his two academic years at Wharton. His engineering background differentiated him from other potential hires.<ref name="moore wsj"/> After graduating from Wharton he joined Goldman's ] office<ref name="wong trib"/> covering software companies in the investment banking division.<ref name="moore wsj"/> In this role he advised clients on mergers and acquisitions and other financial matters. He eventually rose to lead Goldman's information technology security practice.<ref name="treasury bio">]. Biography of Neel Kashkari, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Economics. from the original at the Internet Archive on Jan. 18, 2009. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref>
After completing his master's degree, Kashkari moved to ], ], and worked as an engineer for ], a contractor for ]. There he worked on a stabilizing component for the ].<ref name=ap/>


Kashkari left TRW to enter the ] of the ],<ref name=ap/> earning an ] in 2002. At Wharton he was president of the Finance Club<ref>Jane M. Von Bergen. Wharton grad's new job: clean up credit mess. '']'', October 8, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.</ref> and was part of the student organizing team for the annual Wharton Finance Conference.<ref>Justin Fox. . '']'', November 7, 2008. Accessed January 15, 2014.</ref>
In early 2006, Kashkari met with ], then chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, to get a recommendation letter for the ] program. At this meeting they discussed Kashkari's interest in public service and Paulson's service in the ]. Kashkari was a Regional Finalist for the fellowship<ref name="white house fellows"/> but was ultimately rejected.<ref name="savage white nyt"/><ref name="lin-fisher">Betty Lin-Fisher. . '']'', Apr. 11, 2009. Accessed Jan. 6, 2014.</ref>


Kashkari interned at the investment bank ] during the summer between his two academic years at Wharton.<ref name="moore wsj"/> After graduation from Wharton in 2002, he joined Goldman's ] office as an associate<ref name="wong trib">Wailin Wong. . '']'', October 13, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref> covering software companies in the investment banking division.<ref name="moore wsj"/> In this role, he was part of the team that advised clients on mergers and acquisitions, as well as other financial matters, until leaving the firm in 2006.<ref name="treasury bio">]. Biography of Neel Kashkari, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Economics. from the original at the Internet Archive on January 18, 2009. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref>
==Treasury Department==
].]]
In May 2006 ] ] announced his intention to appoint Paulson as ].<ref>] and ]. ''The New York Times'', May 30, 2006. Accessed Dec. 30, 2013.</ref> Kashkari contacted Paulson and asked to join him at Treasury. Despite not knowing Kashkari well,<ref name="cho wapo"/> Paulson had him flown to ], and offered him a job as a policy generalist shortly after Kashkari had begun his pitch. Kashkari accepted, and then Paulson remembered to confirm that Kashkari was a Republican.<ref>Sorkin, pp. 84–5.</ref> After the U.S. Senate ] Paulson, he and Kashkari started at Treasury on the same day.<ref name="cho wapo"/> Kashkari was one of several Goldman employees who followed Paulson to Treasury.<ref>Francesco Guerrera, Henny Sender, Ben White, James Politi. {{registration required}}. '']'', Jul. 10, 2008. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.</ref>


He was a regional finalist for the ] program.<ref name="white house fellows"/><ref name="savage white nyt"/><ref name="lin-fisher">Betty Lin-Fisher. . '']'', April 11, 2009. Accessed January 6, 2014.</ref>
Kashkari began as a special assistant to Paulson working on ]. He and ] developed Bush's "]" plan to promote ].<ref name="rosenwald wapo">Michael S. Rosenwald. . ''Washington Post'', Oct. 9, 2008. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> He also worked on issues related to ], particularly infrastructure development.<ref name="treasury bio"/> In November 2007, Bush nominated Kashkari to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Economics and Development. The ] confirmed the nomination in June 2008, and Kashkari was sworn in the following month.<ref name="yglesias tp">]. . ], Oct. 6, 2008. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.</ref>


===A growing crisis=== ===Treasury Department===
].]]
Beginning in summer 2007, the value of some ] backed by U.S. ] declined sharply as it became clear that many of the borrowers would ] on the mortgages. This caused a ] as the banks holding the mortgages saw their assets decline in value and rushed to ] the loans. This ultimately intensified into a ] with broad implications.<ref>For a detailed account, see Sorkin.</ref>
In May 2006 ] ] announced his intention to appoint Paulson as ].<ref>] and ]. ''The New York Times'', May 30, 2006. Accessed December 30, 2013.</ref> Kashkari contacted Paulson and asked to join him at Treasury. Despite not knowing Kashkari well,<ref name="cho wapo"/> Paulson agreed to meet with him, and much later offered him a job as a policy generalist. Kashkari accepted, and then Paulson remembered to confirm that Kashkari was a Republican.<ref>Sorkin, pp. 84–5.</ref> After the U.S. Senate ] Paulson, he and Kashkari started at Treasury on the same day.<ref name="cho wapo"/> Kashkari was one of several Goldman employees who followed Paulson to Treasury.<ref>Francesco Guerrera, Henny Sender, Ben White, James Politi. {{registration required}}. '']'', July 10, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.</ref>


Kashkari began as a special assistant to Paulson working on ]. He and ] developed Bush's "]" plan to promote ].<ref name="rosenwald wapo">Michael S. Rosenwald. . ''Washington Post'', October 9, 2008. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> He also worked on issues related to ], particularly infrastructure development.<ref name="treasury bio"/> In November 2007, Bush nominated Kashkari to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Economics and Development. The ] confirmed the nomination in June 2008, and Kashkari was sworn in the following month.<ref name="yglesias tp">]. . ], October 6, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.</ref>
Kashkari played important roles in several episodes of the crisis. He led Treasury's participation in the ], a mortgage industry initiative coordinated by the federal government that aimed to reduce foreclosures by modifying loan terms on a loan-by-loan basis.<ref name="rosenwald wapo"/><ref>Jeanne Sahadi. . ], Oct. 12, 2007. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.</ref> In March 2008 he represented Treasury at negotiations that led ultimately to the federally sponsored takeover and rescue of the investment bank ] by ].<ref>Julie Creswell, Ben White. . ''The New York Times'', Oct. 17, 2008. Accessed Jan. 3, 2014.</ref> He was in charge of Treasury's (ultimately unsuccessful) efforts to create a market in the U.S. for ], whose value would continue to be guaranteed by the issuing bank after the bank had sold them.<ref name="yglesias tp"/><ref>Jim Zarroli. . ], Jul. 29, 2008. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.</ref><ref>Maya Jackson Randall. {{subscription required}}. '']'', Jun. 22, 2011. Accessed Jun. 18, 2014.</ref> He also worked closely with Paulson on Treasury's ] of the ]s ] and ] on September 6, 2008, and the federal ] of ] on September 16.<ref name="savage white nyt"/>


====2008 financial crisis====
In March 2008, Kashkari began to worry that, if the Bush administration never received the authority it needed to deal with the growing crisis, the next administration would blame them for everything wrong in the economy. Paulson scoffed at this idea, particularly Kashkari's speculation that ], then a candidate in ], would win the presidency and use the crisis to ride to popularity just as former President ] had following the ].<ref>Sorkin, pp. 92–3.</ref>
By the summer 2007, concerns over the credit quality of private-label securitizations, underwriting standards and institutional solvency accelerated. The value of unconventional ] backed by U.S. ] declined sharply as it became clear that many of the borrowers would continue to ] on the mortgages. This caused a housing glut and ] as the banks holding the mortgages saw their assets decline in value and rushed to ] the loans. This ultimately intensified into a ] with broad implications.<ref>For a detailed account, see Sorkin.</ref>


Kashkari played important roles in several episodes of the crisis. He led Treasury's participation in the ], a mortgage industry initiative coordinated by the federal government that aimed to reduce foreclosures by modifying loan terms on a loan-by-loan basis.<ref name="rosenwald wapo"/><ref>Jeanne Sahadi. . ], October 12, 2007. Accessed January 2, 2014.</ref> In March 2008 he represented Treasury at negotiations that led ultimately to the federally sponsored takeover and rescue of the investment bank ] by ].<ref>Julie Creswell, Ben White. . ''The New York Times'', October 17, 2008. Accessed January 3, 2014.</ref> He was in charge of Treasury's (ultimately unsuccessful) efforts to create a market in the U.S. for ], whose value would continue to be guaranteed by the issuing bank after the bank had sold them.<ref name="yglesias tp"/><ref>Jim Zarroli. . ], July 29, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.</ref><ref>Maya Jackson Randall. {{subscription required}}. '']'', June 22, 2011. Accessed June 18, 2014.</ref> He also worked closely with Paulson on Treasury's ] of the ]s ] and ] on September 6, 2008, and the federal ] of ] on September 16.<ref name="savage white nyt"/>
===TARP===

====TARP====
In early 2008, Paulson directed Kashkari and fellow Treasury aide ] to write a plan to recapitalize the banking system in case the crisis worsened.<ref>Sorkin, pp. 83–4.</ref> The plan called for Congress to authorize Treasury to spend $500 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities from troubled banks, replacing them on banks' balance sheets with safe, ] ]s. This would prevent ] and encourage them to lend. The plan was conceived as an alternative to proposals from the staff of the ], then led by ] Representative ].<ref>]. ''In Fed We Trust''. ], 2010, pp. 176–7.</ref> In early 2008, Paulson directed Kashkari and fellow Treasury aide ] to write a plan to recapitalize the banking system in case the crisis worsened.<ref>Sorkin, pp. 83–4.</ref> The plan called for Congress to authorize Treasury to spend $500 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities from troubled banks, replacing them on banks' balance sheets with safe, ] ]s. This would prevent ] and encourage them to lend. The plan was conceived as an alternative to proposals from the staff of the ], then led by ] Representative ].<ref>]. ''In Fed We Trust''. ], 2010, pp. 176–7.</ref>


Following the ] of the investment bank ] on September 15, 2008, the ] (EESA) was enacted on October 3. Kashkari was one of several Paulson aides who was heavily involved in the crafting the legislation.<ref>], ]. . ''The New York Times'', Oct. 4, 2008. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.</ref> Based in large part on Kashkari and Swagel's recapitalization plan, the EESA created the ] (TARP), a $700 billion bailout fund for financial institutions threatened with collapse.<ref name="blumenfeld wapo"/> Kashkari initially proposed a $1 trillion fund, but Paulson vetoed that number as too large. Kashkari came up with the lesser figure of $700 billion by taking 5% of the $14 trillion in then-outstanding mortgages in the United States.<ref>Sorkin, p. 450</ref> Following the ] of the investment bank ] on September 15, 2008, the ] (EESA) was enacted on October 3. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress voted for the law. Kashkari was one of several Paulson aides who was heavily involved in the crafting the legislation.<ref>], ]. . ''The New York Times'', October 4, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.</ref> Based in large part on Kashkari and Swagel's recapitalization plan, the EESA created the ] (TARP), a $700 billion bailout fund for financial institutions threatened with collapse.<ref name="blumenfeld wapo"/> Kashkari initially proposed a $1 trillion fund, but Paulson vetoed that number as too large. Kashkari came up with the lesser figure of $700 billion by taking 5% of the $14 trillion in then-outstanding mortgages in the United States.<ref>Sorkin, p. 450</ref>


To administer TARP, the EESA created within the Treasury Department a new Office of Financial Stability to be headed by an ], who would be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. However, it also specified that the Treasury Secretary could designate an interim Assistant Secretary to run the office. Kashkari first came to widespread public attention on October 6, 2008, when Paulson named him to this position.<ref name="rucker reuters">Patrick Rucker. . ], Oct. 6, 2008. Accessed Jan. 3, 2014.</ref> During his time running TARP he retained his title as Assistant Secretary for International Economics and Development, but his international affairs responsibilities were delegated to another Treasury official.<ref name="treasury bio"/> To administer TARP, the EESA created within the Treasury Department a new Office of Financial Stability to be headed by an ], who would be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. However, it also specified that the Treasury Secretary could designate an interim Assistant Secretary to run the office. Kashkari first came to widespread public attention on October 6, 2008, when Paulson named him to this position.<ref name="rucker reuters">Patrick Rucker. . ], October 6, 2008. Accessed January 3, 2014.</ref> During his time running TARP he retained his title as Assistant Secretary for International Economics and Development, but his international affairs responsibilities were delegated to another Treasury official.<ref name="treasury bio"/>


Noticing a lack of necessary expertise in investment within Treasury, Kashkari recruited new staff for the program, some from government and others from industry, ultimately hiring about 100 people by January 2009.<ref name="cho wapo"/><ref>Silla Brush. . '']'', Jan. 8, 2009. Accessed Jan. 6, 2014.</ref><ref>], Stephen Labaton. . ''The New York Times'', Mar. 8, 2009. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> Kashkari also chaired the five-member investment committee within Treasury that decided which banks would receive TARP money.<ref>]. . '']'', Nov. 4, 2008. Accessed Jan. 9, 2014.</ref> Noticing a lack of necessary expertise in investment within Treasury, Kashkari recruited new staff for the program, some from government and others from industry, ultimately hiring about 100 people by January 2009.<ref name="cho wapo"/><ref>Silla Brush. . '']'', January 8, 2009. Accessed January 6, 2014.</ref><ref>], Stephen Labaton. . ''The New York Times'', March 8, 2009. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> Kashkari also chaired the five-member investment committee within Treasury that decided which banks would receive TARP money.<ref>]. . '']'', November 4, 2008. Accessed January 9, 2014.</ref>


With Bush scheduled to leave office on January 20, 2009, following the November 2008 election, Kashkari's appointment was initially viewed as temporary. There were even plans to replace him before Bush left office.<ref>Edwin Chen. . ], Nov. 3, 2003. Accessed Jan. 3, 2014.</ref> However, after Obama won the election, his ] team asked Kashkari to remain at Treasury after the ] for a limited period.<ref>Deborah Solomon. {{subscription required}}. ''The Wall Street Journal'', Jan. 9, 2009. Accessed Mar. 7, 2010.</ref> He left the Treasury Department on May 1, 2009, replaced at the helm of TARP by ].<ref name="leonard nyt">Devin Leonard. . ''The New York Times'', Dec. 31, 2009. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> With Bush scheduled to leave office on January 20, 2009, following the November 2008 election, Kashkari's appointment was initially viewed as temporary. There were even plans to replace him before Bush left office.<ref>Edwin Chen. . ], November 3, 2003. Accessed January 3, 2014.</ref> However, after Obama won the election, his ] team asked Kashkari to remain at Treasury after the ] for a limited period.<ref>Deborah Solomon. {{subscription required}}. ''The Wall Street Journal'', January 9, 2009. Accessed March 7, 2010.</ref> He left the Treasury Department on May 1, 2009, replaced at the helm of TARP by ].<ref name="leonard nyt">Devin Leonard. . ''The New York Times'', December 31, 2009. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref>


During his time heading TARP, Kashkari was frequently called to testify before Congressional oversight panels. The House members would often question him hostilely over the politically unpopular program, but at least one, Representative ], assured Kashkari privately that he thought Kashkari was doing a great job.<ref name="cho wapo"/> Another public critic, Representative ], later thanked Kashkari for his service.<ref name="blumenfeld wapo"/> Kashkari also won praise from Paulson and ], Paulson's successor as Treasury Secretary and Kashkari's boss under the Obama administration.<ref name="cho wapo">]. . ''Washington Post'', Apr. 29, 2009. Accessed Jan. 6, 2014.</ref> ], who oversaw TARP within Treasury as a special inspector general, commended Kashkari's commitment to the job but criticized his actions.<ref>David Siders. . '']'', Feb. 8, 2014. Accessed Feb. 10, 2014.</ref> ], who headed TARP's ], later criticized Kashkari for allegedly promising to focus on smaller banks shortly before Treasury announced additional measures to bail out ].<ref name=Warren>{{cite book|last=Warren|first=Elizabeth|title=A Fighting Chance|date=2014|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9781627790529|page=89|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=IS5nAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA89#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> Kashkari later said that Bush not running for reelection allowed the government to "do things that were deeply unpopular but we knew were the right thing."<ref>Quoted in Zachary A. Goldfarb, Neil Irwin. . ''Washington Post'', Aug. 14, 2011. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> During his time heading TARP, Kashkari was frequently called to testify before Congressional oversight panels. The House members would often question him hostilely over the politically unpopular program, but at least one, Representative ], assured Kashkari privately that he thought Kashkari was doing a great job.<ref name="cho wapo"/> Another public critic, Representative ], later thanked Kashkari for his service.<ref name="blumenfeld wapo"/> Kashkari also won praise from Paulson and ], Paulson's successor as Treasury Secretary and Kashkari's boss under the Obama administration.<ref name="cho wapo">]. . ''Washington Post'', April 29, 2009. Accessed January 6, 2014.</ref> ], who oversaw TARP within Treasury as a special inspector general, commended Kashkari's commitment to the job but criticized his actions.<ref>David Siders. . '']'', February 8, 2014. Accessed February 10, 2014.</ref> ], who headed TARP's ], later criticized Kashkari for allegedly promising to focus on smaller banks shortly before Treasury announced additional measures to bail out ].<ref name=Warren>{{cite book|last=Warren|first=Elizabeth|title=A Fighting Chance|date=2014|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9781627790529|page=89|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IS5nAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA89}}</ref> Kashkari later said that Bush not running for reelection allowed the government to "do things that were deeply unpopular but we knew were the right thing."<ref>Quoted in Zachary A. Goldfarb, Neil Irwin. . ''Washington Post'', August 14, 2011. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref>


==Return to California== ===Return to California===
One week after his resignation, he and his wife moved to a cabin in rural ] near ] as part of what he called a "]" from Washington. He worked on home improvement projects and helped Paulson write a memoir.<ref name="blumenfeld wapo">Laura Blumenfeld. . ''Washington Post'', Dec. 6, 2009. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> One week after his resignation, he and his wife moved to a cabin in rural ] near ] as part of what he called a "]" from Washington. He worked on home improvement projects and helped Paulson write a memoir.<ref name="blumenfeld wapo">Laura Blumenfeld. . ''Washington Post'', December 6, 2009. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref>


In December 2009 Kashkari was named a managing director at the investment firm ], in charge of new investment initiatives.<ref>]. . ''The New York Times'', Dec. 7, 2009. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> Pimco, which had traditionally focused on ], hired him to broaden its focus into ];<ref>Anousha Sakoui, David Oakley. {{registration required}}. '']'', Jun. 15, 2010. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> Pimco later named him global head of equities.<ref>Randy Diamond. . ''Pensions & Investments'', Jun. 25, 2012. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> Kashkari had met ], Pimco's co-founder, in December 2007 as part of his work at Treasury. Kashkari's move to Pimco attracted attention because Pimco benefited from the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, though it did not receive TARP funds.<ref name="leonard nyt"/> The six equity ] Pimco launched under Kashkari all underperformed benchmarks in 2012. Kashkari attributed this to the funds ] risk, which decreases returns when stock prices increase.<ref name="wessel grind wsj">David Wessel, Kirsten Grind. {{subscription required}}. ''The Wall Street Journal'', Jan. 23, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> In December 2009 Kashkari was named a managing director at the investment firm ], in charge of new investment initiatives.<ref>]. . ''The New York Times'', December 7, 2009. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> Pimco, which had traditionally focused on ], hired him to broaden its focus into ];<ref>Anousha Sakoui, David Oakley. {{registration required}}. '']'', June 15, 2010. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> Pimco later named him global head of equities.<ref>Randy Diamond. . ''Pensions & Investments'', June 25, 2012. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> Kashkari had met ], Pimco's co-founder, in December 2007 as part of his work at Treasury. Kashkari's move to Pimco attracted attention because Pimco benefited from the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, though it did not receive TARP funds.<ref name="leonard nyt"/> The six equity ] Pimco launched under Kashkari all underperformed benchmarks in 2012. Kashkari attributed this to the funds ] risk, which decreases returns when stock prices increase.<ref name="wessel grind wsj">David Wessel, Kirsten Grind. {{subscription required}}. ''The Wall Street Journal'', January 23, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref>


Kashkari resigned from Pimco in January 2013, citing a desire to return to public service. He was expected to announce a campaign for elected office.<ref name="wessel grind wsj"/><ref>Michael J. de la Merced. . ''The New York Times'', Jan. 23, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> Kashkari resigned from Pimco in January 2013, citing a desire to return to public service. He was expected to announce a campaign for elected office.<ref name="wessel grind wsj"/><ref>Michael J. de la Merced. . ''The New York Times'', January 23, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref>


In 2015, the Wall Street ''Journal'' said that "the performance of funds Mr. Kashkari launched was spotty the firm has since closed some of" them.<ref name=wsj1115/>
==Gubernatorial campaign==
Kashkari says he first considered running for ] after Republican nominee ] lost the ] to Obama.<ref name="bi interview">Julia La Roche. . ], Feb. 15, 2014. Accessed Feb. 16, 2014.</ref> He spent the year after his resignation from Pimco preparing to campaign in the ], touring the state, hiring a staff, and meeting with potential donors. He announced his candidacy on January 21, 2014, citing jobs and education as his top priorities. It is his first run for elected office.<ref>Seema Mehta, Chris Megerian. . '']'', Jan. 21, 2014. Accessed Jan. 21, 2014.</ref><ref>David Siders. . '']'', Jan. 21, 2014. Accessed Jan. 21, 2014.</ref> On June 3, 2014, he finished second to incumbent governor ] in the ], so the November general election will be between him and Brown.<ref name=onishi>{{Cite news|title=G.O.P. nominee for governor faces an uphill climb in California|last=Onishi|first=Norimitsu|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 4, 2014|accessdate=June 14, 2014|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/us/politics/kashkari-beats-tea-party-foe-in-california-governor-race.html}}</ref>


===Primary election=== == Politics ==
Brown was widely expected to finish first in the primary, so Kashkari's principal opponent at this stage was his main rival for second place, Republican ] ]. Kashkari was seen as a ] and social moderate, while Donnelly identified with the right-wing ].<ref name=lazo>{{cite news |first=Alejandro |last=Lazo |title=Neel Kashkari, Tim Donnelly make their pitch in California |newspaper=] |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/neel-kashkari-tim-donnelly-make-their-pitch-in-california-1401668774 |date=Jun 1, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}{{subscription required}}</ref>


===2014 California gubernatorial campaign===
Kashkari enjoyed a significant funding advantage over Donnelly. He raised $1 million within two weeks of announcing his candidacy<ref>William Bradley. . ], Feb. 10, 2014. Accessed Feb. 10, 2014.</ref> and went on to raise a total of $4.1 million, including $2 million of his own money.<ref>{{cite news |first=Seema |last=Mehta |title=Gov. Jerry Brown takes easy lead, will face Neel Kashkari in November |newspaper=] |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-pol-california-elections-20140604-story.html |date=Jun 4, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref> Republican donors Charles Munger, Jr., and Robert Day also spent $400,000 supporting Kashkari through an independent expenditure committee.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Siders |title=Governor: Tim Donnelly congratulates Neel Kashkari |newspaper=] |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/03/6455696/governor-neel-kashkari-leads-tim.html |date=Jun 4, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref> Donnelly raised only $447,000 in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first=Elizabeth |last=Titus |title=GOP relieved as Tim Donnelly concedes in California |newspaper=] |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/2014-california-election-results-neel-kashkari-tim-donnelly-107408.html |date=Jun 4, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref>
{{main|2014 California gubernatorial election}}
Kashkari has said he first considered running for ] after Republican nominee ] lost the ] to Obama.<ref name="bi interview">Julia La Roche. . ], February 15, 2014. Retrieved on February 16, 2014.</ref> He spent the year after his resignation from Pimco preparing to campaign in the 2014 gubernatorial election, touring the state, hiring a staff, and meeting with potential donors. He announced his candidacy on January 21, 2014, citing jobs and education as his top priorities. It was his first run for elected office.<ref>Seema Mehta, Chris Megerian. . '']'', January 21, 2014. Retrieved on January 21, 2014.</ref><ref>David Siders. . '']'', January 21, 2014. Retrieved on January 21, 2014.</ref> He finished second to incumbent governor ] in the ] and lost to Brown in the November general election.<ref name=onishi>{{Cite news|title=G.O.P. nominee for governor faces an uphill climb in California|last=Onishi|first=Norimitsu|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=June 14, 2014|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/us/politics/kashkari-beats-tea-party-foe-in-california-governor-race.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://graphics.latimes.com/2014-election-results-nationwide/ |title=Election results |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 5, 2014}}</ref> After the campaign, Kashkari published "Lessons from the Trail," a firsthand account of what he learned from his gubernatorial campaign to help future candidates.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Kashkari | first1=Neel | title=Lessons from the Trail | url=https://www.scribd.com/document/245649290/Lessons-from-the-trail#scribd | website=scribd.com | access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref>


==== Primary election ====
For most of the race Kashkari trailed Donnelly in public opinion polls. Kashkari's moderate views on social issues, involvement with TARP, and vote for Obama in 2008 were unpopular with many Republican voters,<ref name=low-dollar>{{cite news |first=David |last=Siders |title=In a low-dollar California governor’s race, advertising pushes Neel Kashkari ahead of Tim Donnelly |newspaper=] |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/04/6458820/in-a-low-dollar-california-governors.html |date=Jun 4, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref> who were more enthusiastic about Donnelly.<ref>Michael Finnegan, Seema Mehta. . '']'', Mar. 16, 2014. Accessed Mar. 17, 2014.</ref> Other Republicans feared that if Donnelly advanced to the general election he would not only lose to Brown but also hurt other Republicans running for office because of his narrow appeal to white conservatives, staunch right-wing views, inflammatory rhetoric, and criminal record. The perceived threat from Donnelly attracted endorsements for Kashkari from national Republicans including Romney, ], ], and ], as well as California Republicans including ] and ].<ref name=onishi/><ref name=marinucci-gutierrez-kane/><ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Wildermuth |title=New Kashkari endorsements say plenty about Donnelly |newspaper=] |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/2014/04/29/new-kashkari-endorsements-say-plenty-about-donnelly/ |date=Apr 29, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref><ref name=long-road/><ref>{{cite news |first=Carla |last=Marinucci |title=Rove: CA Republicans would be stupid not to pick Kashkari |newspaper=] |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/2014/04/07/rove-says-ca-republicans-would-be-stupid-not-to-pick-kashkari/ |date=Apr 7, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref> These advantages allowed Kashkari not to campaign farther right than he wanted to.<ref name=long-road>{{cite news |first1=Carla |last1=Marinucci |first2=Melody |last2=Gutierrez |title=Kashkari has long road to overtake Jerry Brown |newspaper=] |url=http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Kashkari-has-long-road-to-overtake-Jerry-Brown-5529450.php |date=Jun 5, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref>


Brown was widely expected to finish first in the primary, so Kashkari's principal opponent at this stage was his main rival for second place, Republican ] ]. Kashkari was seen as a ] and social moderate, while Donnelly identified with the right-wing ].<ref name=lazo>{{cite news |first=Alejandro |last=Lazo |title=Neel Kashkari, Tim Donnelly make their pitch in California |newspaper=] |url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/neel-kashkari-tim-donnelly-make-their-pitch-in-california-1401668774 |date=June 1, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
Kashkari's fundraising advantage allowed him pay for more advertising in the last weeks of the race.<ref name=low-dollar/><ref name=marinucci-gutierrez-kane>{{cite news |first1=Carla |last1=Marinucci |first2=Melody |last2=Gutierrez |first3=Will |last3=Kane |title=Jerry Brown to face off with Neel Kashkari in November |newspaper=] |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Jerry-Brown-to-face-off-with-Neel-Kashkari-in-5526962.php |date=Jun 4, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref> The first poll showing him ahead of Donnelly came out days before the election.<ref name=lazo/> In the June 3 primary, Kashkari came in second with 19% of the vote, and Donnelly came in third with 15%. Brown beat them both, with 55%.<ref name=onishi/>


Kashkari enjoyed a significant funding advantage over Donnelly. He raised $1 million within two weeks of announcing his candidacy<ref>William Bradley. . ], February 10, 2014. Accessed February 10, 2014.</ref> and went on to raise a total of US$4.1 million, including $2 million of his own money.<ref>{{cite news |first=Seema |last=Mehta |title=Gov. Jerry Brown takes easy lead, will face Neel Kashkari in November |newspaper=] |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-pol-california-elections-20140604-story.html |date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> Republican donors Charles Munger Jr. and ] also spent $400,000 supporting Kashkari through an independent expenditure committee.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Siders |title=Governor: Tim Donnelly congratulates Neel Kashkari |newspaper=] |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/03/6455696/governor-neel-kashkari-leads-tim.html |date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604225558/http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/03/6455696/governor-neel-kashkari-leads-tim.html |archive-date=June 4, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Donnelly raised only $447,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=447000|start_year=2014}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first=Elizabeth |last=Titus |title=GOP relieved as Tim Donnelly concedes in California |newspaper=] |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/2014-california-election-results-neel-kashkari-tim-donnelly-107408.html |date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref>
===General election===
Brown, a ], is considered the favorite to win the general election. His approval ratings are high, and as of the end of the primary his campaign had $21 million.<ref name=onishi/> Kashkari, by contrast, spent almost all his campaign money to beat Donnelly,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Maeve |last1=Reston |first2=Jack |last2=Leonard |title=Donnelly concedes loss to Kashkari in gubernatorial primary |newspaper=] |date=Jun 4, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref> and additional financial support from the national or state Republican Parties is unlikely.<ref name=long-road/> Kashkari cites George W. Bush's upset victory over ] in the ] for ] as a model for an upset against a popular Democratic governor.<ref>Hunter Schwarz. . ], Jan. 30, 2014. Accessed Feb. 1, 2014.</ref>


For most of the race, Kashkari trailed Donnelly in public opinion polls. Kashkari's moderate views on social issues, involvement with TARP, and vote for Obama in 2008 were unpopular with many Republican voters,<ref name=low-dollar>{{cite news |first=David |last=Siders |title=In a low-dollar California governor's race, advertising pushes Neel Kashkari ahead of Tim Donnelly |newspaper=] |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/06/04/6458820/in-a-low-dollar-california-governors.html |date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> who were more enthusiastic about Donnelly.<ref>Michael Finnegan, Seema Mehta. . '']'', March 16, 2014. Retrieved on March 17, 2014.</ref> Other Republicans feared that if Donnelly advanced to the general election he would not only lose to Brown but also hurt other Republicans running for office because of his narrow appeal to white conservatives, staunch right-wing views, inflammatory rhetoric, and criminal record. The perceived threat from Donnelly attracted endorsements for Kashkari from national Republicans including Romney, ], ], and ], as well as California Republicans including ] and ].<ref name=onishi/><ref name=marinucci-gutierrez-kane/><ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Wildermuth |title=New Kashkari endorsements say plenty about Donnelly |newspaper=] |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/2014/04/29/new-kashkari-endorsements-say-plenty-about-donnelly/ |date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref><ref name=long-road/><ref>{{cite news |first=Carla |last=Marinucci |title=Rove: CA Republicans would be stupid not to pick Kashkari |newspaper=] |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/2014/04/07/rove-says-ca-republicans-would-be-stupid-not-to-pick-kashkari/ |date=April 7, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> These advantages allowed Kashkari not to campaign farther right than he wanted to.<ref name=long-road>{{cite news |first1=Carla |last1=Marinucci |first2=Melody |last2=Gutierrez |title=Kashkari has long road to overtake Jerry Brown |newspaper=] |url=http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Kashkari-has-long-road-to-overtake-Jerry-Brown-5529450.php |date=June 5, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref>
Kashkari has called on Brown to debate him 10 times. Brown has said he is undecided on debates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/30/6594386/the-buzz-jerry-brown-undecided.html |first=David |last=Siders |title=Jerry Brown undecided on debating Neel Kashkari |date=Jul 30, 2014 |accessdate=Jul 31, 2014}}</ref>


Kashkari's fundraising advantage allowed him pay for more advertising in the last weeks of the race.<ref name=low-dollar/><ref name=marinucci-gutierrez-kane>{{cite news |first1=Carla |last1=Marinucci |first2=Melody |last2=Gutierrez |first3=Will |last3=Kane |title=Jerry Brown to face off with Neel Kashkari in November |newspaper=] |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Jerry-Brown-to-face-off-with-Neel-Kashkari-in-5526962.php |date=June 4, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> The first poll showing him ahead of Donnelly came out days before the election.<ref name=lazo/> In the June 3 primary, Kashkari came in second with 19% of the vote, and Donnelly came in third with 15%. Brown beat them both, with 55%.<ref name=onishi/>
===Record of voting===
The '']'' reported in January 2014 that, since 1998, Kashkari had been eligible to vote in 23 elections in California and ] but had only voted in 13 of them. His campaign disputed some aspects of the reporting and said that Kashkari's Treasury Department service proves his commitment to civic life.<ref>]. . '']'', Jan. 20, 2014. Accessed Jan. 20, 2014.</ref> Kashkari later acknowledged his imperfect voting record.<ref>Seema Mehta. . '']'', Jan. 23, 2014. Accessed Jan. 24, 2014.</ref>


==== General election ====
==Political positions==
] won, 60%–40%.<br />'''Brown:''' {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} <br />'''Kashkari:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}]]
Kashkari has been a ] his whole life.<ref name="savage white nyt"/><ref name="marinucci interview">]. . '']'', Nov. 14, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> In a 2008 speech to the ], Kashkari described himself as "a ] Republican."<ref name=ap/><ref name="cruz time"/> In 2013 he described himself as a "pro-growth Republican".<ref name="marinucci interview"/> He opposes most of Obama's economic agenda<ref name="marinucci interview"/> and supports cutting business regulations.<ref name="mehta lat">Seema Mehta. . '']'', Nov. 18, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> He has called for cutting ] and ]<ref>Robert Steyer. . ''Pensions & Investments'', Nov. 14, 2011. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref><ref>Neel Kashkari. . ''Washington Post'', Jul. 26, 2010. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> and replacing the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/video/kashkari-obamacare-a-jobs-destroyer-FN2Fv2EiTECCixZyOks0ow.html |title=Kashkari: Obamacare a jobs "destroyer" |publisher=] |date=Apr 2, 2014 |accessdate=Jun 14, 2014}}</ref> In 2012, he voted against California's ], which raised taxes in the state, and for ], which would have weakened ]' political influence.<ref name="siders bee">David Siders. . '']'', Dec. 9, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> In a March 2014 interview, he praised ] governor ]'s controversial ] limiting ].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Shane |last=Goldmacher |title=Why the man who ran the hated Wall Street bailout thinks he can win election |magazine=] |date=Mar 31, 2014 |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/why-the-man-who-ran-the-hated-wall-street-bailout-thinks-he-can-win-election-20140330 |accessdate=Mar 31, 2014}}</ref>


Brown, a ], was long considered the favorite to win the general election. His approval ratings were high, and as of the end of the primary his campaign had US$21 million.<ref name=onishi/> Kashkari, by contrast, spent almost all his campaign money to beat Donnelly,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Maeve |last1=Reston |first2=Jack |last2=Leonard |title=Donnelly concedes loss to Kashkari in gubernatorial primary |newspaper=] |date=June 4, 2014 }}</ref> and additional financial support from the national or state Republican Parties was unlikely.<ref name=long-road/> Kashkari cited George W. Bush's upset victory over ] in the ] for ] as a model for an upset against a popular Democratic governor.<ref>Hunter Schwarz. . ], January 30, 2014. Retrieved on February 1, 2014.</ref>
On social issues, he has described himself as ]<ref>]. . CBS San Francisco, Dec. 4, 2013. Accessed Jan. 10, 2014.</ref> and "a different kind of Republican",<ref name="mehta lat"/> supporting ], ], and a path to legal status for illegal immigrants.<ref name="mehta lat"/> He voted against ], which banned same-sex marriage in 2008.<ref name="marinucci interview"/> In 2013, he was one of 131 Republicans who signed a pro-marriage equality '']'' brief submitted to the ] as part of '']'',<ref>John Avlon. . ], Feb. 28, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> the case in which Proposition 8 was found unconstitutional.<ref>Bill Mears. . ], Jun. 27, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> Kashkari owns four guns but considers waiting periods and background checks before purchasing a firearm to be reasonable.<ref>David Siders. . ''Sacramento Bee'', Feb. 20, 2014. Accessed Feb. 20, 2014.</ref>


Kashkari lost the November 4, 2014 general election to Governor Jerry Brown by approximately 1.4 million votes, with Brown winning 60% of the vote.<ref>Marinucci, Carla, and Melody Gutierrez, , ''sfgate.com'', November 4, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2015.</ref> Brown won the largest gubernatorial victory since ] despite running a low-key campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jerry Brown Coasts To Re-Election With Nonexistent Campaign|date=November 4, 2014|publisher=Huffington Post|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/04/california-governor-election-results_n_5819772.html|access-date=November 30, 2014|quote="despite running a virtually nonexistent campaign."}}</ref>
On environmental issues, he voted against California's ], which would have suspended the ] that limits greenhouse gas emissions.<ref name="siders bee"/> He believes climate change is real and man-made. He has spoken positively of ] and offshore oil drilling<ref name="marinucci interview"/> and negatively of ].<ref>Josh Richman. . '']'', Feb. 20, 2014. Accessed Feb. 21, 2014.</ref>


=== Record of voting ===
Kashkari cites Paulson, ], and ] as political mentors.<ref name="bi interview"/> He voted for Obama in the 2008 presidential election and Romney in the ].<ref name="marinucci interview"/>


In March 2014, Kashkari announced a plan to create jobs in California if elected. The centerpiece is a proposal to waive income taxes for 10 years for businesses that move to California or build new manufacturing plants there. The plan also calls for expanding fracking of oil deposits, relaxing environmental regulations, and increasing water storage in response to the state's ]. Economists and political experts interviewed by the '']'' were skeptical of the plan's chances in the Democratic-dominated ] and of its potential effectiveness were it to be passed.<ref>Seema Mehta. . '']'', Mar. 25, 2014. Accessed Mar. 26, 2014.</ref> The '']'' reported in January 2014 that, since 1998, Kashkari had been eligible to vote in 23 elections in California and ] but had only voted in 13 (i.e., 57%) of them. His campaign disputed some aspects of the reporting and said that Kashkari's Treasury Department service proves his commitment to civic life.<ref>]. . '']'', January 20, 2014. Retrieved on January 20, 2014.</ref> Kashkari later acknowledged his imperfect voting record.<ref>Seema Mehta. . '']'', January 23, 2014. Retrieved on January 24, 2014.</ref>


===Political positions===
==Personal life==
]Kashkari has been a ] his whole life.<ref name="savage white nyt"/><ref name="marinucci interview">]. . '']'', November 14, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> In a 2008 speech to the ], Kashkari described himself as "a ] Republican."<ref name=ap/><ref name="cruz time"/> In 2013, he described himself as a "pro-growth Republican".<ref name="marinucci interview"/> He opposes most of Obama's economic agenda<ref name="marinucci interview"/> and supports cutting business regulations.<ref name="mehta lat">Seema Mehta. . '']'', November 18, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> He has called for cutting ] and ]<ref>Robert Steyer. . ''Pensions & Investments'', November 14, 2011. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref><ref>Neel Kashkari. . ''Washington Post'', July 26, 2010. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> and replacing the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/video/kashkari-obamacare-a-jobs-destroyer-FN2Fv2EiTECCixZyOks0ow.html |title=Kashkari: Obamacare a jobs "destroyer" |publisher=] |date=April 2, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> In 2012, he voted against California's ], which raised taxes in the state, and for ], which would have weakened ]' political influence.<ref name="siders bee">David Siders. . '']'', December 9, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> In a March 2014 interview, he praised ] governor ]'s controversial ] limiting ].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Shane |last=Goldmacher |title=Why the man who ran the hated Wall Street bailout thinks he can win election |journal=] |date=March 31, 2014 |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/why-the-man-who-ran-the-hated-wall-street-bailout-thinks-he-can-win-election-20140330 |access-date=March 31, 2014}}</ref>
Kashkari is a practicing ].<ref name="marinucci profile">]. . '']'', Nov. 15, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> He said in 2009 that he began praying while working on TARP, having been especially affected when a colleague had a ] at work.<ref name="blumenfeld wapo"/>


On social issues, he has described himself as ]<ref>]. . CBS San Francisco, December 4, 2013. Accessed January 10, 2014.</ref> and "a different kind of Republican",<ref name="mehta lat"/> supporting ], ], and a path to legal status for illegal immigrants.<ref name="mehta lat"/> He voted against ], which banned same-sex marriage in 2008.<ref name="marinucci interview"/> In 2013, he was one of 131 Republicans who signed a pro-marriage equality '']'' brief submitted to the ] as part of '']'',<ref>John Avlon. . ], February 28, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> the case in which the final appeal against the previously-found unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 was rejected for lack of standing.<ref>Bill Mears. . ], June 27, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> Kashkari owns four guns and considers waiting periods and background checks before purchasing a firearm to be reasonable.<ref>David Siders. . ''Sacramento Bee'', February 20, 2014. Accessed February 20, 2014.</ref>
Kashkari met his ex-wife Minal in college at the University of Illinois. They married in a traditional Indian ceremony in ].<ref name="moore wsj"/> Neel Kashkari filed for divorce in November 2011<ref name="nash marois bloomberg">James Nash, Michael B. Marois. . ], Dec. 2, 2013. Accessed Jan. 5, 2014.</ref> and later described the split as amicable.<ref>Seema Mehta. . '']'', Jan. 24, 2014. Accessed Jan. 25, 2014.</ref> They have no children.<ref name="marinucci profile"/>


On environmental issues, he voted against California's ], which would have suspended the ] that limits greenhouse gas emissions.<ref name="siders bee"/> He believes climate change is real and man-made. He has spoken positively of ] and offshore oil drilling<ref name="marinucci interview"/> and negatively of ].<ref>Josh Richman. . '']'', February 20, 2014. Accessed February 21, 2014.</ref>
He lives in ].<ref name="nash marois bloomberg"/>


Kashkari cites Paulson, ], and ] as political mentors.<ref name="bi interview"/> He voted for Obama in the 2008 presidential election and Romney in the ].<ref name="marinucci interview"/>
==Film==

] portrayed Kashkari in '']'', a television film about the financial crisis based on ]'s ].
In March 2014, Kashkari proposed waiving state income taxes for 10 years for businesses that move to California with at least 100 jobs; waiving state income taxes for California companies that build new manufacturing plants in the state; expanding ] (fracking) of oil deposits; reducing environmental regulation; and increasing water storage in response to the state's ]. Economists and political experts interviewed by the '']'' were skeptical of the plan's chances in the Democratic-dominated ] and of its potential effectiveness were it to be passed.<ref>Seema Mehta. . '']'', March 25, 2014. Accessed March 26, 2014.</ref>

In January 2020, Kashkari and ] proposed amending a portion of the ] to read, "All children have a fundamental right to a quality public education that fully prepares them."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/01/08/minneapolis-fed-calls-for-constitutional-amendment-to-tackle-education-disparities|title=Minneapolis Fed calls for constitutional amendment to tackle education disparities|website=MPR News|date=January 8, 2020 |access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref>

At a January 2021 Minneapolis Federal Reserve event on racism and the economy, Kashkari commented on the contrast between how the ] were treated compared to black Americans, saying, "If those were Black militants, armed militants, storming the U.S. Capitol, I think they’d all be dead right now That is the most stark example of racism and disparities in our society.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=Guida|first=Victoria|title=Fed official calls treatment of Capitol rioters 'most stark example of racism'|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/12/federal-reserve-official-capitol-riots-racism-458349|access-date=2021-01-27|website=POLITICO|date=January 12, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis==
]

In early November 2015 Kashkari was named president and ] of the Minneapolis Fed. He was chosen by the Minneapolis bank board (excepting representatives from the financial industry), approved 5–0 by the ] in Washington and assumed the Minneapolis position on January 1, 2016. With the presidents of the ] (]), ] (]) and ] (]) regional Fed banks, Kashkari will become the fourth sitting regional Fed chief to have Goldman Sachs on his resume. Kaplan and Harker both assumed their positions in 2015.<ref name=wsj1115>Derby, Michael S., , Wall Street ''Journal'', November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.</ref>

On February 16, 2016 while giving a speech at the Brookings Institution, Kashkari recommended that in order to stave off another potential financial meltdown, the big banks should be broken up, saying, "I believe the biggest banks are still too big to fail and continue to pose a significant, ongoing risk to our economy."<ref name=brookings>Appelbaum, Binyamin, , The New York Times, February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.</ref>

==Personal life==
Kashkari is a practicing ].<ref name="marinucci profile">]. . '']'', November 15, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> He said in 2009 that he began praying while working on TARP, having been especially affected when a colleague had a ] at work.<ref name="blumenfeld wapo"/>

Kashkari met his ex-wife Minal Jeshanker (now Kotterman) in college at the University of Illinois. They married in a traditional ] in ], and she supported him through his time at Wharton while working as an engineer at ].<ref name="moore wsj"/> Kashkari filed for divorce in November 2011<ref name="nash marois bloomberg">James Nash, Michael B. Marois. . ], December 2, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> and later described the split as amicable.<ref>Seema Mehta. . '']'', January 24, 2014. Accessed January 25, 2014.</ref> They have no children.<ref name="marinucci profile"/>

Kashkari married Christine Ong in California’s ] in August 2015. In February 2019, Kashkari and Ong welcomed their first child, a girl named Ulysses Sabine.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1092501095899910146|user=neelkashkari|title=Ok one more. She's a fighter 👊🏼|date=February 4, 2019}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist|30em}}


==Works cited== ==Works cited==
* ]. '']''. ], 2009, 2010. ISBN 978-0-14-311824-4 * ]. '']''. ], 2009, 2010. {{ISBN|978-0-14-311824-4}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.neelkashkari.com/}} * {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20131212145717/http://www.neelkashkari.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|nm6320880}} * {{IMDb name|nm6320880}}
*
*{{C-SPAN|1030255}}


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Latest revision as of 08:59, 17 November 2024

President/CEO Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Neel Kashkari
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2016
Preceded byNarayana Kocherlakota
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability
Acting
In office
October 6, 2008 – May 1, 2009
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Barack Obama
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byHerbert Allison
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs
In office
July 2008 – May 1, 2009
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Barack Obama
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byMarisa Lago
Personal details
BornNeel Tushar Kashkari
(1973-07-30) July 30, 1973 (age 51)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
Minal Jeshanke ​(divorced)
Christine Ong ​(m. 2015)
Children2
EducationUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BS, MS)
University of Pennsylvania (MBA)

Neel Tushar Kashkari (born July 30, 1973) is an American banker, economist and politician who is the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. As interim Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability from October 2008 to May 2009, he oversaw the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that was a major component of the U.S. government's response to the Financial crisis of 2007–2008. A Republican, he unsuccessfully ran for Governor of California in the 2014 election.

Born and raised in Ohio, and educated at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Kashkari worked initially as an aerospace engineer. After attending business school at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he became an investment banker, covering the information technology security sector for Goldman Sachs.

Henry Paulson, the former head of Goldman, and then Secretary of the Treasury, hired Kashkari as an aide. Kashkari was eventually named Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Economics and Development. At Treasury, he played a number of roles in the response to the financial crisis and the subprime mortgage crisis that preceded it, most notably administering the TARP.

Kashkari left government and began working for Pimco in 2009, leading that company's push into the equities market. He resigned from Pimco in January 2013 to explore a run for public office. One year later, he announced his candidacy for Governor of California. He came in second in California's nonpartisan blanket primary but lost the general election to incumbent governor Jerry Brown.

He was named the new president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve November 10, 2015, succeeding Narayana Kocherlakota who announced his resignation in June.

Early life and education

Engineering Hall at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Kashkari earned two degrees in mechanical engineering from UIUC.

Neel Tushar Kashkari was born on July 30, 1973, in Akron, Ohio, to Indian parents. Kashkari's mother Sheila Kashkari, was a pathologist at Akron City Hospital, and father Chaman Kashkari, worked as a professor of electrical engineering at the University of Akron.

Kashkari's parents are Kashmiri Pandits, who were both born and raised in Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley, within the erstwhile Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and immigrated to the United States in 1964. They settled in Stow, a suburb of Akron, where Neel Kashkari grew up. His parents were well known within the local community of Hindus. His older sister, Meera Kashkari Kelley, is a physician specializing in infectious diseases. Growing up, Neel's parents and sister were liberal, but his free-market views led him to identify more with the Republican Party.

Kashkari attended Stow–Munroe Falls High School before transferring to the Western Reserve Academy. He graduated in 1991 with honors in mathematics and was elected graduation speaker. In 2009, he described his high school grades as not good enough to apply to top-tier universities.

Kashkari earned bachelor’s (1995) and master’s (1998) degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He was the team leader for the mechanical engineering component of the school's entry in the 1997 Sunrayce, a solar-powered vehicle race.

Career

Private sector

After completing his master's degree, Kashkari moved to Redondo Beach, California, and worked as an engineer for TRW Inc., a contractor for NASA. There he worked on a stabilizing component for the James Webb Space Telescope.

Kashkari left TRW to enter the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, earning an MBA in 2002. At Wharton he was president of the Finance Club and was part of the student organizing team for the annual Wharton Finance Conference.

Kashkari interned at the investment bank Goldman Sachs during the summer between his two academic years at Wharton. After graduation from Wharton in 2002, he joined Goldman's San Francisco office as an associate covering software companies in the investment banking division. In this role, he was part of the team that advised clients on mergers and acquisitions, as well as other financial matters, until leaving the firm in 2006.

He was a regional finalist for the White House Fellows program.

Treasury Department

Kashkari left the private sector to work at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

In May 2006 President George W. Bush announced his intention to appoint Paulson as Secretary of the Treasury. Kashkari contacted Paulson and asked to join him at Treasury. Despite not knowing Kashkari well, Paulson agreed to meet with him, and much later offered him a job as a policy generalist. Kashkari accepted, and then Paulson remembered to confirm that Kashkari was a Republican. After the U.S. Senate confirmed Paulson, he and Kashkari started at Treasury on the same day. Kashkari was one of several Goldman employees who followed Paulson to Treasury.

Kashkari began as a special assistant to Paulson working on energy policy. He and Allan B. Hubbard developed Bush's "Twenty in Ten" plan to promote energy conservation. He also worked on issues related to India, particularly infrastructure development. In November 2007, Bush nominated Kashkari to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Economics and Development. The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination in June 2008, and Kashkari was sworn in the following month.

2008 financial crisis

By the summer 2007, concerns over the credit quality of private-label securitizations, underwriting standards and institutional solvency accelerated. The value of unconventional financial instruments backed by U.S. subprime mortgages declined sharply as it became clear that many of the borrowers would continue to default on the mortgages. This caused a housing glut and crisis as the banks holding the mortgages saw their assets decline in value and rushed to foreclose the loans. This ultimately intensified into a global financial crisis with broad implications.

Kashkari played important roles in several episodes of the crisis. He led Treasury's participation in the Hope Now Alliance, a mortgage industry initiative coordinated by the federal government that aimed to reduce foreclosures by modifying loan terms on a loan-by-loan basis. In March 2008 he represented Treasury at negotiations that led ultimately to the federally sponsored takeover and rescue of the investment bank Bear Stearns by JPMorgan Chase. He was in charge of Treasury's (ultimately unsuccessful) efforts to create a market in the U.S. for covered bonds, whose value would continue to be guaranteed by the issuing bank after the bank had sold them. He also worked closely with Paulson on Treasury's takeover of the government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on September 6, 2008, and the federal bailout of American International Group on September 16.

TARP

In early 2008, Paulson directed Kashkari and fellow Treasury aide Phillip Swagel to write a plan to recapitalize the banking system in case the crisis worsened. The plan called for Congress to authorize Treasury to spend $500 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities from troubled banks, replacing them on banks' balance sheets with safe, liquid Treasury bills. This would prevent runs on the banks and encourage them to lend. The plan was conceived as an alternative to proposals from the staff of the House Financial Services Committee, then led by Democratic Representative Barney Frank.

Following the collapse of the investment bank Lehman Brothers on September 15, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) was enacted on October 3. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress voted for the law. Kashkari was one of several Paulson aides who was heavily involved in the crafting the legislation. Based in large part on Kashkari and Swagel's recapitalization plan, the EESA created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), a $700 billion bailout fund for financial institutions threatened with collapse. Kashkari initially proposed a $1 trillion fund, but Paulson vetoed that number as too large. Kashkari came up with the lesser figure of $700 billion by taking 5% of the $14 trillion in then-outstanding mortgages in the United States.

To administer TARP, the EESA created within the Treasury Department a new Office of Financial Stability to be headed by an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability, who would be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. However, it also specified that the Treasury Secretary could designate an interim Assistant Secretary to run the office. Kashkari first came to widespread public attention on October 6, 2008, when Paulson named him to this position. During his time running TARP he retained his title as Assistant Secretary for International Economics and Development, but his international affairs responsibilities were delegated to another Treasury official.

Noticing a lack of necessary expertise in investment within Treasury, Kashkari recruited new staff for the program, some from government and others from industry, ultimately hiring about 100 people by January 2009. Kashkari also chaired the five-member investment committee within Treasury that decided which banks would receive TARP money.

With Bush scheduled to leave office on January 20, 2009, following the November 2008 election, Kashkari's appointment was initially viewed as temporary. There were even plans to replace him before Bush left office. However, after Obama won the election, his transition team asked Kashkari to remain at Treasury after the inauguration for a limited period. He left the Treasury Department on May 1, 2009, replaced at the helm of TARP by Herbert M. Allison.

During his time heading TARP, Kashkari was frequently called to testify before Congressional oversight panels. The House members would often question him hostilely over the politically unpopular program, but at least one, Representative Dennis Kucinich, assured Kashkari privately that he thought Kashkari was doing a great job. Another public critic, Representative Gregory Meeks, later thanked Kashkari for his service. Kashkari also won praise from Paulson and Timothy Geithner, Paulson's successor as Treasury Secretary and Kashkari's boss under the Obama administration. Neil Barofsky, who oversaw TARP within Treasury as a special inspector general, commended Kashkari's commitment to the job but criticized his actions. Elizabeth Warren, who headed TARP's Congressional Oversight Panel, later criticized Kashkari for allegedly promising to focus on smaller banks shortly before Treasury announced additional measures to bail out Citigroup. Kashkari later said that Bush not running for reelection allowed the government to "do things that were deeply unpopular but we knew were the right thing."

Return to California

One week after his resignation, he and his wife moved to a cabin in rural Northern California near Lake Tahoe as part of what he called a "detox" from Washington. He worked on home improvement projects and helped Paulson write a memoir.

In December 2009 Kashkari was named a managing director at the investment firm Pimco, in charge of new investment initiatives. Pimco, which had traditionally focused on bonds, hired him to broaden its focus into equities; Pimco later named him global head of equities. Kashkari had met Bill Gross, Pimco's co-founder, in December 2007 as part of his work at Treasury. Kashkari's move to Pimco attracted attention because Pimco benefited from the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, though it did not receive TARP funds. The six equity mutual funds Pimco launched under Kashkari all underperformed benchmarks in 2012. Kashkari attributed this to the funds hedging risk, which decreases returns when stock prices increase.

Kashkari resigned from Pimco in January 2013, citing a desire to return to public service. He was expected to announce a campaign for elected office.

In 2015, the Wall Street Journal said that "the performance of funds Mr. Kashkari launched was spotty the firm has since closed some of" them.

Politics

2014 California gubernatorial campaign

Main article: 2014 California gubernatorial election

Kashkari has said he first considered running for Governor of California after Republican nominee Mitt Romney lost the 2012 presidential election to Obama. He spent the year after his resignation from Pimco preparing to campaign in the 2014 gubernatorial election, touring the state, hiring a staff, and meeting with potential donors. He announced his candidacy on January 21, 2014, citing jobs and education as his top priorities. It was his first run for elected office. He finished second to incumbent governor Jerry Brown in the nonpartisan blanket primary and lost to Brown in the November general election. After the campaign, Kashkari published "Lessons from the Trail," a firsthand account of what he learned from his gubernatorial campaign to help future candidates.

Primary election

Brown was widely expected to finish first in the primary, so Kashkari's principal opponent at this stage was his main rival for second place, Republican state assemblyman Tim Donnelly. Kashkari was seen as a fiscal conservative and social moderate, while Donnelly identified with the right-wing Tea Party movement.

Kashkari enjoyed a significant funding advantage over Donnelly. He raised $1 million within two weeks of announcing his candidacy and went on to raise a total of US$4.1 million, including $2 million of his own money. Republican donors Charles Munger Jr. and Robert Addison Day also spent $400,000 supporting Kashkari through an independent expenditure committee. Donnelly raised only $447,000 (~$566,722 in 2023) in 2014.

For most of the race, Kashkari trailed Donnelly in public opinion polls. Kashkari's moderate views on social issues, involvement with TARP, and vote for Obama in 2008 were unpopular with many Republican voters, who were more enthusiastic about Donnelly. Other Republicans feared that if Donnelly advanced to the general election he would not only lose to Brown but also hurt other Republicans running for office because of his narrow appeal to white conservatives, staunch right-wing views, inflammatory rhetoric, and criminal record. The perceived threat from Donnelly attracted endorsements for Kashkari from national Republicans including Romney, Jeb Bush, Condoleezza Rice, and Karl Rove, as well as California Republicans including Pete Wilson and Darrell Issa. These advantages allowed Kashkari not to campaign farther right than he wanted to.

Kashkari's fundraising advantage allowed him pay for more advertising in the last weeks of the race. The first poll showing him ahead of Donnelly came out days before the election. In the June 3 primary, Kashkari came in second with 19% of the vote, and Donnelly came in third with 15%. Brown beat them both, with 55%.

General election

General election results by county. Incumbent governor Jerry Brown won, 60%–40%.
Brown:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Kashkari:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Brown, a Democrat, was long considered the favorite to win the general election. His approval ratings were high, and as of the end of the primary his campaign had US$21 million. Kashkari, by contrast, spent almost all his campaign money to beat Donnelly, and additional financial support from the national or state Republican Parties was unlikely. Kashkari cited George W. Bush's upset victory over Ann Richards in the 1994 election for Governor of Texas as a model for an upset against a popular Democratic governor.

Kashkari lost the November 4, 2014 general election to Governor Jerry Brown by approximately 1.4 million votes, with Brown winning 60% of the vote. Brown won the largest gubernatorial victory since 1986 despite running a low-key campaign.

Record of voting

The San Francisco Chronicle reported in January 2014 that, since 1998, Kashkari had been eligible to vote in 23 elections in California and Pennsylvania but had only voted in 13 (i.e., 57%) of them. His campaign disputed some aspects of the reporting and said that Kashkari's Treasury Department service proves his commitment to civic life. Kashkari later acknowledged his imperfect voting record.

Political positions

Neel Kashkari marching in the 2014 San Diego LGBT Pride Parade

Kashkari has been a Republican his whole life. In a 2008 speech to the American Enterprise Institute, Kashkari described himself as "a free-market Republican." In 2013, he described himself as a "pro-growth Republican". He opposes most of Obama's economic agenda and supports cutting business regulations. He has called for cutting Social Security and Medicare and replacing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In 2012, he voted against California's Proposition 30, which raised taxes in the state, and for Proposition 32, which would have weakened labor unions' political influence. In a March 2014 interview, he praised Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's controversial policies limiting collective bargaining.

On social issues, he has described himself as libertarian and "a different kind of Republican", supporting abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and a path to legal status for illegal immigrants. He voted against California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in 2008. In 2013, he was one of 131 Republicans who signed a pro-marriage equality amicus curiae brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court as part of Hollingsworth v. Perry, the case in which the final appeal against the previously-found unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 was rejected for lack of standing. Kashkari owns four guns and considers waiting periods and background checks before purchasing a firearm to be reasonable.

On environmental issues, he voted against California's Proposition 23, which would have suspended the state law that limits greenhouse gas emissions. He believes climate change is real and man-made. He has spoken positively of fracking and offshore oil drilling and negatively of California's cap-and-trade program.

Kashkari cites Paulson, Mitch Daniels, and Jeb Bush as political mentors. He voted for Obama in the 2008 presidential election and Romney in the 2012 election.

In March 2014, Kashkari proposed waiving state income taxes for 10 years for businesses that move to California with at least 100 jobs; waiving state income taxes for California companies that build new manufacturing plants in the state; expanding hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of oil deposits; reducing environmental regulation; and increasing water storage in response to the state's ongoing drought. Economists and political experts interviewed by the Los Angeles Times were skeptical of the plan's chances in the Democratic-dominated California Legislature and of its potential effectiveness were it to be passed.

In January 2020, Kashkari and Alan Page proposed amending a portion of the Minnesota State Constitution to read, "All children have a fundamental right to a quality public education that fully prepares them."

At a January 2021 Minneapolis Federal Reserve event on racism and the economy, Kashkari commented on the contrast between how the rioters at the U.S. Capitol were treated compared to black Americans, saying, "If those were Black militants, armed militants, storming the U.S. Capitol, I think they’d all be dead right now That is the most stark example of racism and disparities in our society.”

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Kashkari has been president of the Minneapolis Fed since January 1, 2016.

In early November 2015 Kashkari was named president and CEO of the Minneapolis Fed. He was chosen by the Minneapolis bank board (excepting representatives from the financial industry), approved 5–0 by the Federal Reserve Board in Washington and assumed the Minneapolis position on January 1, 2016. With the presidents of the New York (William C. Dudley), Dallas (Robert Steven Kaplan) and Philadelphia (Patrick T. Harker) regional Fed banks, Kashkari will become the fourth sitting regional Fed chief to have Goldman Sachs on his resume. Kaplan and Harker both assumed their positions in 2015.

On February 16, 2016 while giving a speech at the Brookings Institution, Kashkari recommended that in order to stave off another potential financial meltdown, the big banks should be broken up, saying, "I believe the biggest banks are still too big to fail and continue to pose a significant, ongoing risk to our economy."

Personal life

Kashkari is a practicing Hindu. He said in 2009 that he began praying while working on TARP, having been especially affected when a colleague had a heart attack at work.

Kashkari met his ex-wife Minal Jeshanker (now Kotterman) in college at the University of Illinois. They married in a traditional Hindu ceremony in Chicago, and she supported him through his time at Wharton while working as an engineer at Northrop Grumman. Kashkari filed for divorce in November 2011 and later described the split as amicable. They have no children.

Kashkari married Christine Ong in California’s Sugar Pine Point State Park in August 2015. In February 2019, Kashkari and Ong welcomed their first child, a girl named Ulysses Sabine.

See also

References

  1. ^ The White House announces regional finalists for the 2006–2007 White House Fellowships. George W. Bush administration archives, February 27, 2006. Hosted at Archives.gov. Accessed January 19, 2014.
  2. Theresa Howard. $700B man: Former adviser to Paulson takes bailout post. USA Today, October 7, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  3. ^ Sabrina Eaton. Browns fan Neel Kashkari hopes to topple California Gov. Jerry Brown. The Plain Dealer, February 11, 2014. Accessed February 11, 2014.
  4. ^ Associated Press. Kashkari faces major task as 'bailout czar'. USA Today, October 11, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  5. Haniffa, Aziz (January 22, 2014). "The Kashmiri Pandit who wants to be California's governor". Rediff.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  6. ^ Heidi N. Moore. Neel Kashkari: a portrait of the $700 billion man as a young banker. The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  7. ^ Charlie Savage and Ben White. Bailout role elevates U.S. official. The New York Times, October 8, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  8. ^ Gilbert Cruz. Neel Kashkari, the $700 billion man. Time, October 8, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  9. Colin McEwen. Stow man nominated for U.S. Treasury position. Hudson Hub-Times, November 28, 2007. Archived from the original at the Internet Archive on March 6, 2012. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  10. ^ Betty Lin-Fisher. Bailout czar gives local alma mater lesson on recovery. Akron Beacon Journal, April 11, 2009. Accessed January 6, 2014.
  11. "MechSE Distinguished Alumni". mechanical.illinois.edu. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  12. Jane M. Von Bergen. Wharton grad's new job: clean up credit mess. The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 8, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.
  13. Justin Fox. Neel Kashkari tries to get through to January 20. Time, November 7, 2008. Accessed January 15, 2014.
  14. Wailin Wong. The rapid rise of bailout czar. Chicago Tribune, October 13, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  15. ^ U.S. Department of the Treasury. Biography of Neel Kashkari, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Economics. Archived from the original at the Internet Archive on January 18, 2009. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  16. Jim Rutenberg and Edmund L. Andrews. Bush selects Goldman chief to take over Treasury Dept. The New York Times, May 30, 2006. Accessed December 30, 2013.
  17. ^ David Cho. After months on the hot seat, bailout director nears exit. Washington Post, April 29, 2009. Accessed January 6, 2014.
  18. Sorkin, pp. 84–5.
  19. Francesco Guerrera, Henny Sender, Ben White, James Politi. Wachovia appoints Steel as new chief(registration required). Financial Times, July 10, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.
  20. ^ Michael S. Rosenwald. The $700 billion man with an engineer's mind. Washington Post, October 9, 2008. Accessed January 5, 2014.
  21. ^ Matthew Yglesias. All your financial system are belong to Neel Kashkari. ThinkProgress, October 6, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.
  22. For a detailed account, see Sorkin.
  23. Jeanne Sahadi. Subprime: 'HopeNow' may help only so much. CNNMoney.com, October 12, 2007. Accessed January 2, 2014.
  24. Julie Creswell, Ben White. The guys from 'Government Sachs'. The New York Times, October 17, 2008. Accessed January 3, 2014.
  25. Jim Zarroli. Paulson pushes 'covered bonds' in housing fix. NPR, July 29, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.
  26. Maya Jackson Randall. Lawmakers back covered bonds(subscription required). Wall Street Journal, June 22, 2011. Accessed June 18, 2014.
  27. Sorkin, pp. 83–4.
  28. David Wessel. In Fed We Trust. Crown Business, 2010, pp. 176–7.
  29. Mark Landler, Edmund L. Andrews. For Treasury Dept., now comes hard part of bailout. The New York Times, October 4, 2008. Accessed January 2, 2014.
  30. ^ Laura Blumenfeld. The $700 billion man. Washington Post, December 6, 2009. Accessed January 5, 2014.
  31. Sorkin, p. 450
  32. Patrick Rucker. Treasury names rescue program chief. Reuters, October 6, 2008. Accessed January 3, 2014.
  33. Silla Brush. Kashkari defends bailout from assertions of critics. The Hill, January 8, 2009. Accessed January 6, 2014.
  34. Edmund L. Andrews, Stephen Labaton. Geithner, with few aides, is scrambling. The New York Times, March 8, 2009. Accessed January 5, 2014.
  35. Mark Landler. New terrain for panel on bailout. The New York Times, November 4, 2008. Accessed January 9, 2014.
  36. Edwin Chen. Bush praised by both parties for transition planning. Bloomberg News, November 3, 2003. Accessed January 3, 2014.
  37. Deborah Solomon. Kashkari, Lambright to stay with TARP(subscription required). The Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2009. Accessed March 7, 2010.
  38. ^ Devin Leonard. Neel Kashkari's quiet path to Pimco. The New York Times, December 31, 2009. Accessed January 5, 2014.
  39. David Siders. Neel Kashkari's run for governor tied up in the federal bank bailout. Sacramento Bee, February 8, 2014. Accessed February 10, 2014.
  40. Warren, Elizabeth (2014). A Fighting Chance. Macmillan. p. 89. ISBN 9781627790529.
  41. Quoted in Zachary A. Goldfarb, Neil Irwin. Geithner, Bernanke have little in arsenal to fight new crisis. Washington Post, August 14, 2011. Accessed January 5, 2014.
  42. DealBook. Pimco hires ex-Treasury official who led bailout. The New York Times, December 7, 2009. Accessed January 5, 2014.
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  90. @neelkashkari (February 4, 2019). "Ok one more. She's a fighter 👊🏼" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

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Preceded byMeg Whitman Republican nominee for Governor of California
2014
Succeeded byJohn Cox
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Preceded byNarayana Kocherlakota President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
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