Democrats in California Face Challenges in Gubernatorial Race

In Santa Barbara, California, the upcoming gubernatorial race is causing a stir among Democrats due to the high number of candidates aiming for the state’s top political seat. Corrin Rankin, chair of the California Republican Party, expressed this sentiment to ABC News during a recent Republican National Committee meeting. Rankin encouraged Democrats to join the race, reflecting underlying concerns within the party regarding the 2026 election, following the tenure of term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom.

California operates under a top-two primary system, where all candidates, irrespective of party affiliation, appear on the same ballot. The two candidates receiving the most votes then advance to the general election. Typically, it is anticipated that a Democrat and a Republican, or possibly two Democrats, will make it through. However, the crowded Democratic field raises the possibility that two Republicans could progress instead, leaving the Democrats out of the running.

Steven Maviglio, a Democratic strategist based in California, described this potential outcome as eyebrow-raising and concerning. RL Miller, leading the California Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus, mentioned that while such a scenario might seem theoretical, it’s a legitimate topic of discussion in campaign fundraising efforts.

The Democratic race remained stagnant for months until former Vice President Kamala Harris declared she would not run. Consequently, around twelve Democratic hopefuls, including U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, are now eyeing the nomination.

For some candidates, making themselves stand out is a challenge. However, they remain in the race because they believe their experience positions them as the best candidates for the role. Antonio Villaraigosa, a former Los Angeles mayor and state representative, emphasized his track record as a ‘proven problem-solver’ at a recent candidate forum.

Betty Yee, who previously served as California’s state controller, is relying on her statewide experience and financial expertise to differentiate her campaign. She explained that the Democratic candidates had limited time for preparations due to the focus on last November’s Proposition 50 congressional map election and uncertainty about Harris’s intentions regarding the gubernatorial race.

Among Republicans, frontrunners such as Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco are optimistic about securing one of the top two spots in the primary. Hilton, a business owner and former Fox News host, believes there is a strong desire for change in California, a state long dominated by Democrats. Meanwhile, Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County, attributes the crowded Democratic field to Governor Newsom’s failure to foster a clear successor.

Despite Hilton’s skepticism about the potential advantages for Republicans in the top-two primary system, Maviglio, the Democratic strategist, noted that donors and labor unions are hesitant due to the multitude of Democratic candidates. Labor groups, in particular, have several allies contending in the race, which leads to a fractured support base.

Some inside the Democratic Party view the state convention in late February as a defining moment, where some candidates might decide to withdraw if they fail to secure sufficient internal support for the party’s endorsement. However, at present, it appears unlikely that any candidate will garner enough backing for a formal endorsement.

Clarissa Gonzalez and Halle Troadec contributed additional reporting to ABC News.