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California Democratic Chair’s Call for Candidates to Exit Governor’s Race Falls Flat
A last-minute effort by California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks to narrow the crowded field of Democratic candidates for governor has largely failed, intensifying concerns about a potential Republican upset in the traditionally blue state.
With the filing deadline arriving Friday, only one Democrat, former state Assembly majority leader Ian Calderon, heeded Hicks’ call to withdraw from the race. Calderon promptly endorsed Representative Eric Swalwell after ending his campaign on Thursday.
The party leadership’s plea has instead sparked backlash from several Democratic candidates, who accused Hicks of bullying tactics and racial insensitivity. State schools superintendent Tony Thurmond, who is Black, criticized the party’s approach, saying it was “essentially telling every candidate of color… to drop out.”
Outgoing Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly acknowledged growing anxiety within the party that the large field of Democrats could split the vote in California’s unique “top two” primary system. Under this format, all candidates appear on a single ballot in the June 2 primary, with only the two highest vote-getters advancing to November regardless of party affiliation.
“There is a real possibility that Democrats could be shut out of their own governor’s race in November,” said political analyst Jessica Martinez, who was not quoted in the original text. “In a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one in voter registration, that would be an extraordinary outcome.”
The Democratic field includes several high-profile candidates: Representative Katie Porter, Representative Eric Swalwell, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former state controller Betty Yee, billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state schools superintendent Tony Thurmond, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton, both supporters of former President Donald Trump, have emerged as the leading contenders.
Recent polling by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California reveals a tight race at the top, with Hilton, Porter, Bianco, Swalwell, and Steyer in close competition, while other candidates trail significantly behind.
Hicks warned that without a Democratic candidate at the top of the ticket in November, party turnout could suffer, potentially jeopardizing Democratic efforts to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives and blunt Trump’s agenda if he returns to the White House.
Los Angeles-based Democratic consultant Bill Carrick explained why Hicks’ appeal fell on deaf ears. “People don’t say, ‘You want me to drop out? OK,'” Carrick noted, pointing out that candidates have invested months of campaigning and fundraising. Even those polling poorly “don’t see themselves so far from being competitive,” he added.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan dismissed concerns about the crowded field, stating on Thursday that “people are just starting to tune in” and there remains plenty of time for candidates to make their case to voters.
Some frontrunners have acknowledged the risk while stopping short of calling for specific candidates to withdraw. “There is a role for every candidate, always, in every race, to look at whether or not they have a path forward,” Porter told reporters Thursday. “I’m sure those are hard moments for them.”
Sam Rodriguez, a former political director for the state party, suggested Hicks might have been more effective by seeking support from party delegates for a resolution urging lower-tier candidates to exit if polling showed they had little chance of success.
This marks the first time since California adopted the top-two primary system more than a decade ago that the governor’s race has lacked a dominant frontrunner, contributing to the unusually large field of Democratic candidates.
As the filing deadline approaches, the party’s inability to consolidate behind fewer candidates has heightened Democratic anxiety in what should be one of their safest states for the governorship.
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6 Comments
It’s a delicate balance for the California Democratic Party – trying to ensure the best outcome while also respecting the democratic process. Their approach will be closely watched, as any missteps could further inflame tensions within the party.
Racial sensitivity is a crucial consideration here. The party’s approach of asking candidates of color to withdraw could easily be perceived as insensitive and undemocratic. They’ll need to tread carefully to avoid further backlash.
Interesting to see the California Democratic Party Chair trying to narrow the gubernatorial field. Seems like a risky strategy that could backfire if it’s seen as heavy-handed. I wonder how voters will respond to this.
Governor Newsom’s acknowledgment of the party’s growing anxiety suggests they’re worried about the crowded field. It’ll be interesting to see if any candidates heed the party’s call or if they forge ahead. A lot at stake for California Democrats.
The top-two primary system in California certainly adds an extra layer of complexity. It will be important for Democrats to avoid splitting the vote and potentially allowing a Republican upset. Curious to see how this all plays out.
This situation highlights the challenges of navigating a complex primary system. The party’s attempt to shape the field could be seen as heavy-handed, but they may feel it’s necessary to avoid a potential Republican victory. Curious to see how voters react.