US EditionA Messy California Governor’s Race Raises Democratic Fears of Potential Loss
With 24 listed Democratic candidates, party leaders worry vote splitting could let two Republicans advance under California’s top-two primary system.
- With the June 2 primary approaching, California Democrats fear losing a statewide election for the first time in two decades, as the unpredictable 'top two' system puts over 50 candidates on one ballot.
- The campaign has descended into chaos after a major televised debate was canceled due to accusations that Black, Latino and Asian candidates were excluded from the stage, which University of Southern California officials called a distraction.
- Polling indicates the field has broken into two distinct groups, with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton leading Republicans, while Democrats Swalwell, Katie Porter, and Tom Steyer remain in close competition.
- Democratic Chair Rusty Hicks warned that a split vote could 'imperil Democrats' chances to retake the House,' and pleaded with lagging candidates to drop out to prevent a vacancy at the top of the ticket.
- The race recalls the 1998 primary where underdog Democrat Gray Davis surged to victory, as candidates continue using President Donald Trump as a foil despite voters struggling with a homeless crisis and high gas prices.
43 Articles
43 Articles
A messy governor's race in California raises Democratic fears of a potential loss
Democrats have run California for years, but in a nationally critical election the party is being confronted by the limits of its own power: the race for governor is out of control.
Democrats Risk a Historic Upset in California
Politico: “With a sprawling field threatening to split the vote and hand the governorship to a Republican, a late-hour effort failed to persuade longshot contenders to drop out. A preeminent labor group split its coveted endorsement four ways, elevating no one. And in the most recent upheaval, a televised debate was hastily canceled after an uproar from within the party that leaving out low-polling candidates of color would produce an all-white …
Associated Press News
A messy California governor's race raises Democratic fears of potential loss
Democrats have run California for years. But in a nationally critical election, the party is being confronted by the limits of its own power: the race for governor is out of control.
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