California Democratic Party chair tells struggling gubernatorial candidates to drop out
Confidence requires clarity.
Fears that a fractured Democratic field could produce a shocking result in California’s gubernatorial election have prompted the state’s party chair to implore candidates who can’t realistically win to drop out.
In an open letter to the crowded field vying to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rusty Hicks warned that infighting and ego-driven campaigns risked handing Republicans a viable path to the governor’s mansion.
“It is imperative that every candidate honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign,” Hicks wrote, conceding his appeal would be difficult and possibly unpopular within his own party.
Despite Democrats’ overwhelming advantage in the deep-blue state and nearly two decades of dominance, strategists have started to worry that the state’s “jungle primary” system could scramble expectations.
Under the system, the two highest vote-getters advance to November regardless of party. With nearly a dozen Democrats splitting the vote, party officials fear Republicans could consolidate behind fewer candidates and capture both general-election slots, locking Democrats out entirely.
“Chair Hicks’ communique to Democratic candidates illustrates the growing party concern that Democrats may inflict their doomsday scenario: a November general election without a Democrat on the ballot,” Jeff Le, managing principal at 100 Mile Strategies, told the Washington Examiner. “A June primary lockout is a Republican dream and their only viable path to occupying the governor’s office, where they are significant 2026 underdogs.”
Hicks framed the race not simply as a state contest but as a national political battleground unfolding while President Donald Trump occupies the White House. A Republican governor in California would weaken Democratic resistance to the administration and undermine the party’s broader electoral strategy, he argued.
“[S]o much is at stake in our Nation and so many are counting on the leadership of California Democrats to stand up and speak out at this historic moment,” Hicks wrote, warning that California’s influence would diminish without a Democratic successor to Newsom.
He urged struggling candidates to withdraw before Friday’s filing deadline, a clear attempt to thin the field before ballots are finalized.
The stakes of the governor’s race extend beyond Sacramento. Democrats fear a November ballot without a Democrat at the top of the ticket could depress turnout statewide, threatening congressional races …
Confidence requires clarity.
Fears that a fractured Democratic field could produce a shocking result in California’s gubernatorial election have prompted the state’s party chair to implore candidates who can’t realistically win to drop out.
In an open letter to the crowded field vying to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rusty Hicks warned that infighting and ego-driven campaigns risked handing Republicans a viable path to the governor’s mansion.
“It is imperative that every candidate honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign,” Hicks wrote, conceding his appeal would be difficult and possibly unpopular within his own party.
Despite Democrats’ overwhelming advantage in the deep-blue state and nearly two decades of dominance, strategists have started to worry that the state’s “jungle primary” system could scramble expectations.
Under the system, the two highest vote-getters advance to November regardless of party. With nearly a dozen Democrats splitting the vote, party officials fear Republicans could consolidate behind fewer candidates and capture both general-election slots, locking Democrats out entirely.
“Chair Hicks’ communique to Democratic candidates illustrates the growing party concern that Democrats may inflict their doomsday scenario: a November general election without a Democrat on the ballot,” Jeff Le, managing principal at 100 Mile Strategies, told the Washington Examiner. “A June primary lockout is a Republican dream and their only viable path to occupying the governor’s office, where they are significant 2026 underdogs.”
Hicks framed the race not simply as a state contest but as a national political battleground unfolding while President Donald Trump occupies the White House. A Republican governor in California would weaken Democratic resistance to the administration and undermine the party’s broader electoral strategy, he argued.
“[S]o much is at stake in our Nation and so many are counting on the leadership of California Democrats to stand up and speak out at this historic moment,” Hicks wrote, warning that California’s influence would diminish without a Democratic successor to Newsom.
He urged struggling candidates to withdraw before Friday’s filing deadline, a clear attempt to thin the field before ballots are finalized.
The stakes of the governor’s race extend beyond Sacramento. Democrats fear a November ballot without a Democrat at the top of the ticket could depress turnout statewide, threatening congressional races …
California Democratic Party chair tells struggling gubernatorial candidates to drop out
Confidence requires clarity.
Fears that a fractured Democratic field could produce a shocking result in California’s gubernatorial election have prompted the state’s party chair to implore candidates who can’t realistically win to drop out.
In an open letter to the crowded field vying to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rusty Hicks warned that infighting and ego-driven campaigns risked handing Republicans a viable path to the governor’s mansion.
“It is imperative that every candidate honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign,” Hicks wrote, conceding his appeal would be difficult and possibly unpopular within his own party.
Despite Democrats’ overwhelming advantage in the deep-blue state and nearly two decades of dominance, strategists have started to worry that the state’s “jungle primary” system could scramble expectations.
Under the system, the two highest vote-getters advance to November regardless of party. With nearly a dozen Democrats splitting the vote, party officials fear Republicans could consolidate behind fewer candidates and capture both general-election slots, locking Democrats out entirely.
“Chair Hicks’ communique to Democratic candidates illustrates the growing party concern that Democrats may inflict their doomsday scenario: a November general election without a Democrat on the ballot,” Jeff Le, managing principal at 100 Mile Strategies, told the Washington Examiner. “A June primary lockout is a Republican dream and their only viable path to occupying the governor’s office, where they are significant 2026 underdogs.”
Hicks framed the race not simply as a state contest but as a national political battleground unfolding while President Donald Trump occupies the White House. A Republican governor in California would weaken Democratic resistance to the administration and undermine the party’s broader electoral strategy, he argued.
“[S]o much is at stake in our Nation and so many are counting on the leadership of California Democrats to stand up and speak out at this historic moment,” Hicks wrote, warning that California’s influence would diminish without a Democratic successor to Newsom.
He urged struggling candidates to withdraw before Friday’s filing deadline, a clear attempt to thin the field before ballots are finalized.
The stakes of the governor’s race extend beyond Sacramento. Democrats fear a November ballot without a Democrat at the top of the ticket could depress turnout statewide, threatening congressional races …
