This week, California Democratic leaders crafted an initiative designed to address growing fears that a packed gubernatorial race could hand Republicans the governor’s mansion.
The California Democratic Party is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to conduct six gubernatorial polls, with the first results to be released on March 24. The development comes as eight Democratic candidates remain on the ballot ahead of the June 2 primary, causing concern that they will split the vote and send a Republican into the general election, since the Golden State’s primary system is open to all parties and puts the top two finishers on the November ballot.
“Candidates have filed, and now they’ve got the opportunity to showcase their viability, their path to win. I want to simply ensure that everybody has information to fully understand the current state of the race,” Rusty Hicks, leader of the California Democratic Party, told the Los Angeles Times, which first reported the polling plan.
As the primary election approaches, the series of six polls will allow “candidates, supporters, the media, voters, anyone and everyone to have a clear understanding of what is or is not happening in this particular race,” he said.
Ahead of California’s candidate filing deadline last Friday, Hicks urged Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls to drop out if they didn’t have a realistic chance of winning, asking them to conduct “an honest assessment of your candidacy and campaign.” But only one candidate, Ian Calderon, exited the race. That means there remain at least ten candidates in the running – eight Democrats and two serious Republican contenders.
The Public Policy Institute of California recently released polling showing Republican Steve Hilton would be the top vote-getter in the primary. There is no clear Democratic front-runner in the race, according to polling, marking another vulnerability for Democrats.
“Every one of these Democrats is itching and clawing to get to that sweet 20% that would guarantee them a place in the runoff,” Paul Mitchell, a leading political number-cruncher in California, told Politico.
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In an open letter to Democratic contenders, Hicks sought to downplay fears that Republicans could capture the nomination, but conceded it remains a possibility.
“While it is implausible, it is not impossible, and I know we are collectively committed to taking the steps required to avoid that possibility,” he wrote. “We all have a duty to act in a responsible manner with the opportunities and support we have earned. I believe it starts with a candid assessment of the political landscape around you, an honest reflection on your viability to win the race, and the courage to make a tough choice.”