None of California’s Democratic gubernatorial candidates secured the state party’s highly coveted endorsement at the state convention, falling well short of the 60% threshold.
Eight of the nine Democratic candidates vying for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s seat made their pitches to thousands of delegates at the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco. To earn the party’s endorsement, a candidate must secure the support of 3,500 delegates, or 60%.
U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) led the delegates with 571 votes, about 24%. He was followed by state Controller Betty Yee, who pulled in 411 votes, or 17.3%. Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra came in third with 334 votes, 14%.
In contrast, billionaire Tom Steyer, who has blanketed the airwaves in ads using $30 million of his own money, pulled in 315 votes or about 13.2%.
The bloated Democratic race for governor has many party strategists concerned that the two Republican candidates, former Fox News host Steve Hilton or Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, could edge out Democrats in the primary election. California uses a jungle primary, meaning the top two vote-getters in the June 2 contest will advance to November’s general election, regardless of party.
The problem for Democrats is that with at least a dozen candidates, votes are likely to be splintered. The crowded field of Democratic contenders also includes Rep. Katie Porter; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; state superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond; former state lawmaker Ian Calderon; and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
CALIFORNIA GOP INFIGHTING COULD DESTROY ANY CHANCE AT GOVERNORSHIP
The open political landscape has left Democratic hopefuls jockeying for position and building coalitions. Early alliances are forming, but no single contender has emerged as the front-runner. That gives Hilton and Bianco an advantage in securing at least one, if not both, of the spots.
“No one candidate has had a breakthrough moment to justify a coronation to the governor’s office as the [Democratic Party] still reels from the 2024 loss from one of their own,” Jeff Le, a former deputy Cabinet secretary to Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown, told the Washington Examiner.