US EditionCalifornia Democratic Chair's Withdrawal Appeal Ignored as Governor Race Crowds
Eight top Democrats ignored the chair’s plea to withdraw, risking a split vote that could enable two Republicans to advance in California's June top-two primary, polls show.
- On Tuesday, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks urged lagging candidates to drop out, but only Ian Calderon withdrew and endorsed Rep. Eric Swalwell on Thursday.
- Hicks warned a large Democratic field could split votes under California's top-two primary and allow two Republicans to advance, with Newsom acknowledging fears of undercutting each other before June 2.
- A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll found the five leading candidates were closely grouped, with Hilton and Bianco in top contention, while a Sacramento forum noted median home costs over $820,000.
- Friday is the filing deadline for candidates to appear on the primary ballot; most candidates filed within 24 hours of Hicks' letter, and ballot removal rules prevent name withdrawal, risking vote splitting.
- In coming weeks, candidates must demonstrate viability before ballots are mailed, party operatives say, while Lorena Gonzalez, head of the California Federation of Labor Unions, will announce endorsements on March 16 and some urge delegates to press lower-tier candidates to step aside.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Cal Matters
The field is set: Meet the candidates officially running for California governor
Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter and Tom Steyer are among 8 Democrats and 2 Republicans vying for California governor in the June 2 open primary.
Democrats fear being locked out of the November governor’s race. Could it lead to changes in California’s top-two primary system?
California’s top-two primary system was designed to reward broad appeal and push candidates toward the political middle. Now it’s raising the possibility of something few expected: Democrats being shut out of November’s race for governor. With eight prominent Democrats competing to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, party leaders fear the vote could splinter enough that two Republicans — former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Cha…
One Candidate Drops Out, But Most Democrats Remain in Crowded Governor’s Race
YouTube@KCRA 3 One candidate is dropping out of California’s governor’s race, but most candidates are determined to stay in the crowded field. Former Democratic Assemblymember Ian Calderon dropped out yesterday and endorsed Congressman Eric Swalwell. Calderon had been polling around one-percent. Eight Democrats and two Republicans are set to appear on the primary ballot. Recent polling shows two of the five double-digit candidates are Repub…
Associated Press News
Top California Democrat flops with call for candidates to exit governor's race
A late-hour attempt by California’s top Democratic official to thin out the party’s crowded field for governor flopped, leaving Democrats anxious over the possibility about a Republican upset in November.
Hanford Sentinel
Los Angeles TimesAnxiety grows among California Democrats as gubernatorial candidates rebuff calls to drop out
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Despite a plea from the head of the California Democratic Party for underperforming candidates to drop out of the governor’s race, all but one of the party’s top hopefuls spurned the request. Party leaders fear the growing…
Lesser gubernatorial candidates should drop out, Democratic Party chair says
This story originally appeared in The Center Square. The chair of the California Democratic Party thinks too many Democrats may be running for governor. Chair Rusty Hicks is suggesting some of the nine leading candidates consider dropping out before Friday’s filing deadline for the June 2 primary, but he’s getting pushback on that from candidates who have already filed. Under California law, the two candidates with the most votes in the primary …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
