Meg Whitman believes small businesses, such as the millions that sell their products on eBay, are the key to California’s economic revival. The Republican gubernatorial candidate, billionaire and former eBay chief executive officer spoke to an intimate crowd of supporters at a breakfast gathering at the University Club in Santa Barbara on Sept. 1.

“It is inspired small businesses that create wealth in America. It is not the government that creates wealth,” Whitman said to crowd approval.

The event was hosted by Republican State Assembly candidate and Santa Barbara County politician Mike Stoker and was attended by about 150 people who paid $30 per plate to hear Whitman speak. Later in the day, she attended a similar luncheon in Santa Maria.

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