California Democrats meet as party careens toward a fractured primary
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
California Democrats will head to their state convention on Friday facing a defining question: Can the party unite in a post-Gov. Gavin Newsom world, or are they barreling toward an ugly, splintered primary that could jeopardize their grip on the governor’s race?
Thousands of California Democrats are expected to attend the multiday event in San Francisco, where they will be courted by gubernatorial candidates and finalize plans for the June 2 primary and the Nov. 3 general election.
From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee stand on the stage during the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
Newsom, who is term-limited and eyeing a 2028 presidential run, is expected to skip the in-person event. Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris were also no-shows at last year’s gathering in Anaheim, with Newsom citing a scheduling conflict and Harris sending a three-minute recorded video message that drew tepid applause. Their absences left some delegates fuming, saying they left the conference with more questions than answers about the party’s direction after a disastrous 2024 election cycle.
This year, as party leaders and members get ready to gather in Northern California to weigh endorsements in high-profile federal and statewide races, the wide-open governor’s contest is emerging as the marquee battle.
There are nearly a dozen contenders in the race and no clear consensus candidate, setting up a test of influence for party insiders and a scramble for momentum ahead of the June primary. The open political landscape has left hopefuls jockeying for position and trying to build coalitions. Early alliances are forming, but no single contender has emerged as the front-runner, raising the stakes for every endorsement and public display of support at the convention.
The large group of Democrats in the contest has split the state’s liberal voters, leaving two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, near the top of almost every primary poll.
“In almost any other race, you’d look at a field like this and celebrate it,” Andrew Koneschusky, founder of Beltway Advisors, told the Washington Examiner. “The challenge is that California’s nonpartisan primary system turns a vibrant field into a liability. All candidates run on the same ballot and only the top two advance …
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
California Democrats will head to their state convention on Friday facing a defining question: Can the party unite in a post-Gov. Gavin Newsom world, or are they barreling toward an ugly, splintered primary that could jeopardize their grip on the governor’s race?
Thousands of California Democrats are expected to attend the multiday event in San Francisco, where they will be courted by gubernatorial candidates and finalize plans for the June 2 primary and the Nov. 3 general election.
From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee stand on the stage during the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
Newsom, who is term-limited and eyeing a 2028 presidential run, is expected to skip the in-person event. Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris were also no-shows at last year’s gathering in Anaheim, with Newsom citing a scheduling conflict and Harris sending a three-minute recorded video message that drew tepid applause. Their absences left some delegates fuming, saying they left the conference with more questions than answers about the party’s direction after a disastrous 2024 election cycle.
This year, as party leaders and members get ready to gather in Northern California to weigh endorsements in high-profile federal and statewide races, the wide-open governor’s contest is emerging as the marquee battle.
There are nearly a dozen contenders in the race and no clear consensus candidate, setting up a test of influence for party insiders and a scramble for momentum ahead of the June primary. The open political landscape has left hopefuls jockeying for position and trying to build coalitions. Early alliances are forming, but no single contender has emerged as the front-runner, raising the stakes for every endorsement and public display of support at the convention.
The large group of Democrats in the contest has split the state’s liberal voters, leaving two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, near the top of almost every primary poll.
“In almost any other race, you’d look at a field like this and celebrate it,” Andrew Koneschusky, founder of Beltway Advisors, told the Washington Examiner. “The challenge is that California’s nonpartisan primary system turns a vibrant field into a liability. All candidates run on the same ballot and only the top two advance …
California Democrats meet as party careens toward a fractured primary
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
California Democrats will head to their state convention on Friday facing a defining question: Can the party unite in a post-Gov. Gavin Newsom world, or are they barreling toward an ugly, splintered primary that could jeopardize their grip on the governor’s race?
Thousands of California Democrats are expected to attend the multiday event in San Francisco, where they will be courted by gubernatorial candidates and finalize plans for the June 2 primary and the Nov. 3 general election.
From left, Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee stand on the stage during the California gubernatorial candidate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Laure Andrillon)
Newsom, who is term-limited and eyeing a 2028 presidential run, is expected to skip the in-person event. Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris were also no-shows at last year’s gathering in Anaheim, with Newsom citing a scheduling conflict and Harris sending a three-minute recorded video message that drew tepid applause. Their absences left some delegates fuming, saying they left the conference with more questions than answers about the party’s direction after a disastrous 2024 election cycle.
This year, as party leaders and members get ready to gather in Northern California to weigh endorsements in high-profile federal and statewide races, the wide-open governor’s contest is emerging as the marquee battle.
There are nearly a dozen contenders in the race and no clear consensus candidate, setting up a test of influence for party insiders and a scramble for momentum ahead of the June primary. The open political landscape has left hopefuls jockeying for position and trying to build coalitions. Early alliances are forming, but no single contender has emerged as the front-runner, raising the stakes for every endorsement and public display of support at the convention.
The large group of Democrats in the contest has split the state’s liberal voters, leaving two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, near the top of almost every primary poll.
“In almost any other race, you’d look at a field like this and celebrate it,” Andrew Koneschusky, founder of Beltway Advisors, told the Washington Examiner. “The challenge is that California’s nonpartisan primary system turns a vibrant field into a liability. All candidates run on the same ballot and only the top two advance …
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