US EditionCalifornia Democratic Chair Urges Candidates Without Viable Path to Withdraw
Chair Rusty Hicks warns that a crowded Democratic field risks splitting votes and allowing two Republicans to advance, despite Democrats outnumbering Republicans nearly 2-to-1.
- On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks sent an open letter urging gubernatorial candidates without a viable path to withdraw.
- Given California's 'jungle primary,' Hicks warned a crowded Democratic field could fracture the vote under the top-two system and let two Republicans advance, threatening Democratic turnout and U.S. House prospects.
- Recent survey data found that five candidates, including Porter, Swalwell, Steyer, Hilton, and Bianco, are within a 3.9% margin of error amid a crowded field.
- The plea prompted pushback as Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor's campaign said 'voters choose the next governor, not political gatekeepers', while critics said it disproportionately affects candidates of color, sparking Democratic infighting.
- With the March 6 filing deadline approaching, Hicks recommended candidates be ready to suspend and endorse others by April 15 if they cannot show meaningful progress before the June 2 primary, while strategist Paul Mitchell runs GOP breakthrough simulations.
114 Articles
114 Articles
The Democratic Party is pressing for them to give up the contest, those who are not favored by numbers in polls
California Democratic Chair Asks Candidates To Drop Out Of Governor Race
Source: Christina House / Getty For the first time in nearly a decade, there’s a wide-open path to the governor’s office in California as Gov. Gavin Newsom nears the end of his final term. As such, there’s a crowded field of Democrats campaigning to become California’s next governor. While Californians having plenty of options sounds like a good thing on paper, the head of the California Democratic Party is asking candidates to drop out over fea…
State Democrat Party Chair Wants Some Candidates to Drop Out, Worried About GOP Win
YouTube@ABC10 The chair of the California Democrat Party wants candidates to drop out of the governor’s race if they’re low in the polls. The letter by Rusty Hicks reflects a growing concern in his party that two Republicans could grab the top two spots and therefore guarantee a GOP victory in November. Three Democrats and two Republicans are in a virtual tie for first place in the latest poll. Multiple Democrats are polling below five percen…
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