Second Democrat Exits California Gubernatorial Race as Primary Approaches

Another Democrat has dropped out of California’s crowded gubernatorial race as the primary election approaches in roughly six weeks.

Former state Controller Betty Yee, of San Francisco, announced her withdrawal Monday after polling showed she had failed to break into the top tier of candidates. Her exit comes just a week after embattled former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell also withdrew from the race amid multiple serious sexual misconduct allegations.

“Today I am announcing that my campaign for governor will be suspended,” Yee said in a video announcement. “This campaign has always been about something much bigger than any one candidate. It’s about building a California where opportunity is real and owned, where government regains trust by being responsible and accountable, and where no one is left behind.”

Yee, who had been vying to become California’s first female governor as Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares to leave office due to term limits, consistently lagged in polling data. She never rose above approximately 3% support among likely voters according to nonprofit news outlet Cal Matters, significantly behind frontrunners in both parties.

In her announcement, Yee attributed her campaign’s failure to gain traction largely to fundraising challenges in a state known for extraordinarily expensive political races.

“It was becoming clear that the donors were not going to be there. Even some of my former supporters just felt like they needed to move on,” Yee explained.

California gubernatorial races typically require tens of millions of dollars for competitive advertising campaigns across the state’s numerous media markets, creating a substantial barrier for candidates unable to attract major donors or generate grassroots fundraising momentum.

Yee’s political background includes substantial experience in state government. Before serving as state controller, where she audited government agencies and oversaw the allocation of state funds, Yee worked as a budget director under former Gov. Gray Davis and was elected to the State Board of Equalization. Throughout her campaign, she emphasized her experience managing the state budget and highlighted her family’s middle-class immigrant background as central to her political perspective.

Her departure reshapes the field with just weeks until the June 4 primary election, one of the nation’s most closely watched state contests this year. The race will determine who succeeds Newsom, who has gained national prominence through his frequent criticisms of Republican governors and policies.

The remaining Democratic candidates include former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, who now stands as the primary female candidate in the race, along with former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and environmentalist billionaire Tom Steyer. On the Republican side, television host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco have emerged as frontrunners.

Political analysts note that California’s unique primary system, where the top two finishers regardless of party advance to the general election, adds another layer of complexity to the race. This system could potentially allow two Democrats or even a Democrat and Republican to face off in November, depending on primary results.

The dual withdrawals of Yee and Swalwell may help consolidate Democratic support behind the remaining candidates, though voter turnout and campaign messaging in the final weeks will likely prove decisive in determining which candidates advance.

California’s next governor will face significant challenges including persistent housing affordability issues, homelessness, water resource management, and navigating the state’s massive budget, which has recently faced deficits after years of surpluses during the Newsom administration.

For Yee, the emotional announcement marked the end of a two-year campaign effort, though her supporters suggest she remains a respected figure in California politics who could potentially seek other offices in the future.