California GOP infighting could destroy any chance at governorship
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
California may be the bluest of states, but there is an outside chance that two Republicans could squeak past a dozen Democratic contenders in June’s crowded gubernatorial primary and make it on the November ballot, if they do not tank each other’s chances first.
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.
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)
The rub for Democrats is that with at least a dozen candidates, votes are likely to be splintered. The crowded field of Democratic contenders includes Rep. Eric Swalwell; former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra; former Rep. Katie Porter; billionaire Tom Steyer; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; former state controller Betty Yee; state superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond; former state lawmaker Ian Calderon; and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
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 the two leading Republican candidates, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a better shot at 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,” said Jeff Le, a former deputy Cabinet secretary to Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown.
Le added there was “heartburn with a looming possibility that two Republicans could, in theory, finish in the top two and relegate Democrats out of the November general election.”
While speculation has focused on the possibility of two Republicans advancing, the more likely scenario is that only one GOP candidate reaches November — and does so weakened.
The problem is that after playing nice for months, Hilton and Bianco have started to turn on each other. Hilton has been hammering Bianco over kneeling during Black Lives Matter protests and, more recently, on immigration. Bianco has called Hilton a liar and hit him with the ultimate insult, accusing him of being …
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
California may be the bluest of states, but there is an outside chance that two Republicans could squeak past a dozen Democratic contenders in June’s crowded gubernatorial primary and make it on the November ballot, if they do not tank each other’s chances first.
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.
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)
The rub for Democrats is that with at least a dozen candidates, votes are likely to be splintered. The crowded field of Democratic contenders includes Rep. Eric Swalwell; former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra; former Rep. Katie Porter; billionaire Tom Steyer; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; former state controller Betty Yee; state superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond; former state lawmaker Ian Calderon; and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
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 the two leading Republican candidates, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a better shot at 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,” said Jeff Le, a former deputy Cabinet secretary to Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown.
Le added there was “heartburn with a looming possibility that two Republicans could, in theory, finish in the top two and relegate Democrats out of the November general election.”
While speculation has focused on the possibility of two Republicans advancing, the more likely scenario is that only one GOP candidate reaches November — and does so weakened.
The problem is that after playing nice for months, Hilton and Bianco have started to turn on each other. Hilton has been hammering Bianco over kneeling during Black Lives Matter protests and, more recently, on immigration. Bianco has called Hilton a liar and hit him with the ultimate insult, accusing him of being …
California GOP infighting could destroy any chance at governorship
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
California may be the bluest of states, but there is an outside chance that two Republicans could squeak past a dozen Democratic contenders in June’s crowded gubernatorial primary and make it on the November ballot, if they do not tank each other’s chances first.
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.
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)
The rub for Democrats is that with at least a dozen candidates, votes are likely to be splintered. The crowded field of Democratic contenders includes Rep. Eric Swalwell; former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra; former Rep. Katie Porter; billionaire Tom Steyer; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; former state controller Betty Yee; state superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond; former state lawmaker Ian Calderon; and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
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 the two leading Republican candidates, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a better shot at 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,” said Jeff Le, a former deputy Cabinet secretary to Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown.
Le added there was “heartburn with a looming possibility that two Republicans could, in theory, finish in the top two and relegate Democrats out of the November general election.”
While speculation has focused on the possibility of two Republicans advancing, the more likely scenario is that only one GOP candidate reaches November — and does so weakened.
The problem is that after playing nice for months, Hilton and Bianco have started to turn on each other. Hilton has been hammering Bianco over kneeling during Black Lives Matter protests and, more recently, on immigration. Bianco has called Hilton a liar and hit him with the ultimate insult, accusing him of being …
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