Days after California’s Democratic Party chair called on candidates for the governor’s race to consider dropping their campaigns, one candidate announced an end to their bid and endorsed a fellow Democrat.”After thoughtful consideration, I made the decision to support Congressman Eric Swalwell because the challenges facing California are bigger than any one campaign,” former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon said in a statement.A plea to DemocratsRusty Hicks sent an open letter on Tuesday to Democrats running for governor, citing concerns that a crowded pool of Democratic candidates may backfire and lead to the two major Republican candidates making it to the November election.California’s voting system allows for the top two vote-getters in the June primary to advance to November regardless of political affiliation. As of Thursday morning, a data modeling tool created by elections expert Paul Mitchell showed a 25% chance that two Republicans advance to the general election.The leading Republicans are Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton.|VIDEO BELOW | Will California voters have to decide between two Republicans for governor? | California Politics 360 Hicks said in his letter that if two Republicans advance to the November election, that could lead to a depressed Democratic voter turnout for other races, which could stifle Democrats’ efforts in gaining control of Congress.Power shifts are possible following midterm elections, and this election cycle, several states are changing their congressional maps to favor certain political parties. For example, Texas lawmakers redrew their lines to favor Republicans, and California voters approved new congressional maps backed by Democrats through Proposition 50.”It is imperative that every candidate honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign,” Hicks’ letter read.Where some Democratic candidates standCalderon’s announcement to drop out comes as several candidates have affirmed that they are staying in the race.“Ultimately, every candidate has to make a clear-eyed assessment about whether they can assemble the resources necessary to run a competitive statewide campaign,” Calderon’s statement read. Former State Controller Betty Yee, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa all posted on social media photos or videos confirming they filed to run. | RELATED READ | Will California Gov. Gavin Newsom intervene in the race to replace him?State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond also took to social media, accusing the Democratic Party of “telling every candidate of color to drop out.Last month, party delegates at their state convention could not agree to endorse a candidate for governor.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Days after California’s Democratic Party chair called on candidates for the governor’s race to consider dropping their campaigns, one candidate announced an end to their bid and endorsed a fellow Democrat.

“After thoughtful consideration, I made the decision to support Congressman Eric Swalwell because the challenges facing California are bigger than any one campaign,” former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon said in a statement.

A plea to Democrats

Rusty Hicks sent an open letter on Tuesday to Democrats running for governor, citing concerns that a crowded pool of Democratic candidates may backfire and lead to the two major Republican candidates making it to the November election.

California’s voting system allows for the top two vote-getters in the June primary to advance to November regardless of political affiliation.

As of Thursday morning, a data modeling tool created by elections expert Paul Mitchell showed a 25% chance that two Republicans advance to the general election.

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Ian Calderon dropping out of the race for CA Governor didn’t make a huge dent in the chances of voters having to pick between two Republicans in November.

Per @paulmitche11 Top Two Twins simulator, the chance is at 25% now, down from about 27% last night. pic.twitter.com/s9BDwwqgPW

— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) March 5, 2026

The leading Republicans are Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton.

|VIDEO BELOW | Will California voters have to decide between two Republicans for governor? | California Politics 360

Hicks said in his letter that if two Republicans advance to the November election, that could lead to a depressed Democratic voter turnout for other races, which could stifle Democrats’ efforts in gaining control of Congress.

Power shifts are possible following midterm elections, and this election cycle, several states are changing their congressional maps to favor certain political parties. For example, Texas lawmakers redrew their lines to favor Republicans, and California voters approved new congressional maps backed by Democrats through Proposition 50.

“It is imperative that every candidate honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign,” Hicks’ letter read.

Where some Democratic candidates stand

Calderon’s announcement to drop out comes as several candidates have affirmed that they are staying in the race.

“Ultimately, every candidate has to make a clear-eyed assessment about whether they can assemble the resources necessary to run a competitive statewide campaign,” Calderon’s statement read.

Former State Controller Betty Yee, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa all posted on social media photos or videos confirming they filed to run.

| RELATED READ | Will California Gov. Gavin Newsom intervene in the race to replace him?

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond also took to social media, accusing the Democratic Party of “telling every candidate of color to drop out.

Last month, party delegates at their state convention could not agree to endorse a candidate for governor.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel