Democratic candidates for California governor without a ‘viable’ path to win should drop out, party leader says – Orange County Register

Democrats running for governor who don’t stand a real chance of winning should drop out ahead of Friday’s filing deadline for candidates, the head of the California Democratic Party said.

Urging candidates to “honestly assess” their chances, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks underscored that Democrats should avoid splitting the vote and creating a situation — however low the odds — where two Republicans might advance to the general election while Democrats get locked out.

In California’s gubernatorial contest, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance from the June primary to the November general election.

“So 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 in an open letter to candidates on Tuesday, March 3. “California’s leadership on the world stage is significantly harder if a Democrat is not elected as our next governor.”

Hicks acknowledged his words may appear “overly harsh” but said too much is on the line not to ensure a Democrat is elected to counter President Donald Trump.

Beyond deciding the next governor, Hicks said there would be other potential fallouts if no Democratic gubernatorial candidate advances to the general election.

Noting Democrats’ resounding victory in passing Proposition 50 in November to redraw congressional maps and boost the party’s chances of regaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives in this year’s midterm elections, Hicks said those gains could be lost if no Democrat remains in the governor’s race in November.

Not having a Democrat on that ballot could depress voter turnout amongst Democrats, he said.

“The result would present a real risk to winning the congressional seats required and imperil Democrats’ chances to retake the House, cut Donald Trump’s term in half and spare our nation from the pain many have endured since January 2025,” Hicks said in the letter.

With the primary election just three months away and still no clear Democratic frontrunner, political observers have mused about the possibility of Democrats getting locked out of the general election despite the party enjoying a nearly 20 percentage-point voter registration advantage over Republicans in the state.

Californians last elected a Republican governor in 2006.

But a number of recent polls show two Republicans in the race consistently polling in the top five amongst the crowded field of candidates seeking to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.

A Public Policy Institute of California poll released last week identified those two Republicans — former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco — among five candidates for governor with the best chances of moving on to the November runoff.

The three Democrats that landed in the top five of the PPIC poll were former Rep. Katie Porter, billionaire environmental advocate Tom Steyer and Rep. Eric Swalwell.

Other Democratic candidates who have been trailing in polls include former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former state Controller Betty Yee.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat, entered the race later than the other candidates. He announced his candidacy on Jan. 29, five days before polling began on the PPIC poll.

Hicks, in his open letter, did not specify which candidates he believes should drop out. Nor did the California Democratic Party endorse any candidate for governor during its recent convention.

But Hicks urged those running not to file as candidates for the June primary election ballot if they don’t have a viable chance of advancing to the November runoff.

If they do file, however, he urged those without a real chance of winning to be prepared to suspend their campaign and endorse another candidate by April 15.

Hicks, according to his office, believes April 15 would allow candidates enough time to demonstrate their viability or, if not, for the field to be realigned before ballots are mailed to voters.

“We all have a duty to act in a responsible manner with the opportunities and support we have earned,” Hicks said in his letter. “I believe it starts with a candid assessment of the political landscape around you, an honest reflection on your viability to win the race, and the courage to make a tough choice.”