(INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS) \u2014 Thousands of democrats gathered in San Francisco on Saturday for the California Democratic Party State Convention, where they heard from top candidates for governor making their case to voters.<\/p>\n
Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell and Matt Mahan were among the several major democratic gubernatorial candidates who spoke before democratic delgates in a bid to earn the party\u2019s support in the crowded race to replace Gavin Newsom when he\u2019s termed out.<\/p>\n
Affordability was a recurring topic among the candidates, though some called out their own party, arguing that the issue has only gotten worse under the democratic supermajority in Sacramento.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs democrats, we have to acknowledge this happened under our watch,\u201d Antonio Villaraigosa said. \u201cIt\u2019s on us to fix what\u2019s broken.\u201d<\/p>\n
The convention comes just days after a poll by Emerson College and Inside California Politics showing Republican Steve Hilton leading the race with Swalwell in second place, but Republican Chad Bianco just half a point behind him in third. More than 20% say they are still undecided.<\/p>\n
Those numbers have prompted concerns among democrats of a potential general election featuring two republican candidates.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this point, two republicans is a real risk, not a certainty,\u201d Porter said. \u201cA choice we need to make\u2026. if your campaign is not viable, you will not be able to be toe-to-toe and beat those republicans and beat Donald Trump then I think its time to make the right choice for California.\u201d<\/p>\n
The party will vote on endorsing a candidate on Sunday, though an actual endorsement is unlikely as a candidate needs to recieve 60% of the delegate vote.<\/p>\n
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