Democrat and former state controller Betty Yee announced her endorsement Tuesday for California governor a day after suspending her campaign.
Yee announced that she is endorsing Tom Steyer in a large but dwindling field with two Republicans and six Democrats.
Yee’s departure on Monday followed the decision by front-runner Eric Swalwell to drop out of the race and resign from the House of Representatives in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations. Yee called the race “one of the most unusual, unpredictable and unsettling races in modern California history.”
“But through it all, my values and vision for California never wavered,” Yee said. “My campaign stayed grounded in the simple, but powerful principles I learned growing up as the child of immigrants: integrity matters, character counts, and protecting our communities — and one another — is a shared responsibility.
“I spent my entire career working to make government more accountable, more transparent, and more responsive to the people it serves. I’ve fought for a California where dignity, respect, and opportunity are not reserved for the few, but afforded to all. That commitment is stronger than ever. Campaigns end, but the work of serving Californians and fighting for a more accountable, inclusive future goes on.”
The Democratic Party has called on candidates to narrow the field, which has been led in most polls by two Republicans.
The race for governor of the nation’s most populous state now includes six Democrats — Biden administration health official and former California attorney general Xavier Becerra; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; former congressmember Katie Porter; billionaire hedge-fund manager Tom Steyer; California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; former Assemblymember and LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
They face challenges from two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, who also served as an advisor to former British PM David Cameron.
They are vying to succeed Gov. Gavin Newson, who is in his final term.
The candidates’ first test is the June 2 California primary election. The top-two candidates will advance to a run-off in November.