![\"Betty](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0225_261802_JV_Gubernatorial_Forum.jpg\" "\\"Betty")
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Betty Yee, former California state controller answers questions during the Gubernatorial Forum on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento.<\/p>\n
JOS\u00c9 LUIS VILLEGAS<\/p>\n
jvillegas@sacbee.com<\/p>\n
Former state controller Betty Yee suspended her campaign for governor on Monday, citing a lack of resources needed to remain competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI certainly could not have imagined the twists and disturbing turns that this race has taken,\u201d she told reporter in emotional remarks. \u201cBut through it all, my values and my vision for California has never wavered, and my campaign continued to stay grounded in the simple but pretty powerful principles that are needed at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The self-described \u201cboring candidate<\/a>\u201d had polled at single digits in recent months and failed to break out of the crowded field of Democrats since launching her campaign in 2024<\/a>. Two polls published Monday by Kreate<\/a> and Gudelunas<\/a> put her support at 2%, tied with State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.<\/p>\n Yee previously served as state controller from 2015 to 2023<\/a> and before then was a member of the Board of Equalization.<\/p>\n \u201cI think what has changed is the whole notion that voters are looking for experience and competence is not a top priority, and that\u2019s been my wheelhouse,\u201d she said. She also blamed the \u201cchill of polling\u201d on her lack of major donors.<\/p>\n During her two-year run for governor, Yee had cited her experience as California\u2019s chief financial officer and lack of personal scandals<\/a> as reasons for voters to elect her and reverse the state\u2019s deficit, which could be as high as $18 billion, according to the Legislative Analyst\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n For months, California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks had tried to convince low-polling candidates<\/a> to suspend their campaigns to prevent two Republicans from winning the June 2 jungle primary and advancing to the general election. Yee and others like Thurmond resisted such calls, saying the race was still undecided.<\/p>\n Despite her campaign suspension, Yee\u2019s name will still appear on the June 2 primary ballot to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is termed out and cannot run again after this year. He has so far declined to endorse a successor. Yee also declined to endorse anyone, but said she was looking for a candidate who would \u201creally be focused on governing California,\u201d instead of garnering headlines.<\/p>\n \u201cTemperament and demeanor matter as well,\u201d she said. Yee previously criticized former Rep. Katie Porter, who is also running, after she walked out of an interview with a reporter and was filmed<\/a> berating a staffer.<\/p>\n She claimed the highest number of delegate votes<\/a> after Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, at the state Democratic Party convention in February, though the party declined to endorse a candidate after no candidate claimed the 60% threshold.<\/p>\n Swalwell, once considered a leading candidate, dropped out of the race earlier this month after five women accused him of sexual misconduct.<\/p>\n He also resigned from Congress, but has denied all accusations as \u201cflat false\u201d and vowed to \u201cfight them.\u201d<\/p>\n This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 11:14 AM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n
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