LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari made the most of a low-profile Sunday morning speaking slot at the party’s state convention, delivering a spirited defense of a party he said cares most about poor people and minorities but has failed to convey its message.

“I’m running to reintroduce us to the people of California and the people of our country, because I am damn proud of who we are,” Kashkari told about 450 delegates at a Los Angeles airport hotel Sunday morning.