A crowded field of eight Democratic candidates is competing for governor in California, and this division poses a risk of allowing a Republican to win. Party leaders have warned that if too many Democrats stay in the race, they could split their votes and benefit Republican candidates.
• California's Primary System: The state uses a "jungle" primary, where all candidates appear on the same ballot and the top two advance to the general election. This system was intended to promote moderate candidates but can lead to vote splitting.
• Democratic Candidates: Eight Democrats are running, each appealing to different voter bases:
• San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan: Attracts moderate, tech-savvy voters.
• Congressman Eric Swalwell: Mobilizes progressives with an anti-Trump message.
• Former Rep. Katie Porter: Appeals to Southern Californian voters.
• Former State Controller Betty Yee: Supported by moderate Democrats and Asian-American voters.
• Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and ex-Attorney General Xavier Becerra: Compete for Latino voters, with Becerra enjoying backing from unions.
• Republican Candidates: Republican contenders, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, are polling together but may not represent the same faction as they both draw around 15-20% support.
• Historical Context: Democrats faced a similar issue in 2014, almost leading to a Republican-only general election. They managed to avoid that situation, but new divisions threaten their chances again.
• Current Polls: Polls show multiple Democratic candidates closely grouped in support, while Republicans are positioned to potentially capitalize on the Democrats' vote split.
While Democrats have a better advantage in overall voter registration, the risk of splitting votes among their candidates could allow one or two Republicans to advance in the election. California Democrats need to unite behind a strong leader to avoid repeating past mistakes and maintain their chances for the governorship. The outcome may become clearer after June 2, when the primary takes place.
https://nypost.com/2026/03/07/opinion/how-eight-democrats-add-up-to-two-republicans/
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