The leader of the California Democratic Party on Tuesday called on candidates who “do not have a viable path” to the general election to drop out of the state's crowded gubernatorial race.
In an open letter, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks said the lengthy list of candidates in a race that uses a “jungle primary” system — where candidates from all parties compete in the same primary and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election — could risk “locking out” any Democrat from the November ballot in the solidly blue state.
Hicks said that possibility could lower turnout in the state for races that are critical to Democrats' efforts to win control of the House this year. Voters approved a new Democratic-drawn congressional map that could allow the party to pick up as many as five seats in California.
Hicks asked the long list of Democratic candidates to conduct “an honest assessment of your candidacy and campaign,” and that if, “If you do not have a viable path to make it to the General Election, do not file to place your name on the ballot for the Primary Election.”
The filing deadline for candidates to run is Friday, ahead of the June 2 primary.
“If you decide to file, be prepared to suspend your campaign and endorse another candidate on or before April 15th if your campaign cannot show meaningful progress towards winning the Primary Election in the coming weeks,” Hicks added.
The lengthy list of Democrats running to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom includes Rep. Eric Swalwell; former Rep. Katie Porter; former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, billionaire activist Tom Steyer; state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; former state Controller Betty Yee and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
At least 10 Republicans have also said they’re running, with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former television personality Steve Hilton leading the pack.
Some early polling of the race has put both Bianco and Hilton among the candidates splitting the most support in a state that hasn't elected a Republican governor in 20 years.
“The likelihood of two Republicans effectively ‘locking out’ California Democrats from the contest for Governor in the General Election is relatively low,” Hicks wrote. “However, while it is implausible, it is not impossible and I know we are collectively committed to taking the steps required to avoid that possibility.”
