California Governor’s Race: Democratic Candidates Refuse to Back Down Despite Party Chair’s Plea

Despite a plea from California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks to nonviable Democratic candidates running for governor to drop out of the race, none of the nine better-known Democrats have suspended their campaign. In fact, the majority have indicated their intention to remain in the race, with some even filing to run, ahead of the looming filing deadline.

The top two vote-getters in the governor’s race, regardless of party affiliation, will move on to the November general election. If too many Democratic candidates split the vote, it could create a situation where two Republicans end up in the top two spots in the primary election, locking Democrats out of the November runoff.

Former Rep. Katie Porter, billionaire environmental advocate Tom Steyer, and Rep. Eric Swalwell frequently poll ahead of their fellow Democrats in the race, though Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco are also in the mix to land in the top two spots.

Other candidates, including former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former state Controller Betty Yee, are also running, despite lower poll numbers.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who announced his candidacy at the end of January, has raised millions of dollars for his campaign and has struck a confident tone. “Voters choose the next governor, not political gatekeepers,” Mahan’s campaign said.

Thurmond criticized the suggestion that lower-polling candidates should exit the race, saying it’s essentially telling candidates of color to drop out. “We’re in this race to win it,” he added.

Becerra shared photos of himself filing for the governor’s race on Wednesday, saying “viability is about winning votes, not polls.” Yee also officially filed to run, saying voters have had enough of “insider political theater” and are looking for a governor who’s focused on the working class.

The primary election is set for June 2, and the campaigns are heating up as the deadline approaches. With no clear front-runner, the race is expected to be highly competitive, and it remains to be seen which candidates will emerge as the top two contenders.

Key Candidates:

* Former Rep. Katie Porter
* Billionaire environmental advocate Tom Steyer
* Rep. Eric Swalwell
* Former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra
* Former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon
* California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond
* Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
* Former state Controller Betty Yee
* San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan

Recent Developments:

* California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks urges nonviable Democratic candidates to drop out of the race
* None of the nine better-known Democratic candidates have suspended their campaign
* Candidates are filing to run ahead of the looming filing deadline
* The primary election is set for June 2

What’s at Stake:

* The top two vote-getters in the governor’s race will move on to the November general election
* If too many Democratic candidates split the vote, it could create a situation where two Republicans end up in the top two spots in the primary election, locking Democrats out of the November runoff
* The race is expected to be highly competitive, with no clear front-runner.