Can’t win? Drop out: California Democrats plead with governor hopefuls as party fears Republican surge

The Guardian - World NewsEN 7 min read 100% complete by Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles and Lauren Gambino in San FranciscoMarch 4, 2026 at 12:46 AM

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long article 7 min

California Democrats are concerned that a crowded field of nine candidates vying for governor could lead to a Republican surge in the upcoming election. With no clear Democratic frontrunner emerging before the June primary, party leaders fear that the vote could be split, potentially allowing two Republicans to advance to the November general election. State Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks has urged candidates without a viable path to victory to drop out of the race. The concern stems from recent polls showing two Republicans leading or near the top of the field, despite the state's strong Democratic lean. While considered unlikely, the possibility of a Republican win in California is causing anxiety as Democrats focus on national elections.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Tom Steyer 60% Eric Swalwell 60% Kamala Harris 60% Steve Hilton 60% Chad Bianco 60% Katie Porter 60% Gavin Newsom 70% Donald Trump ×270% Rusty Hicks ×380% Republican Party ×380% Democratic Party ×490% California ×6100%

Keywords

california governorship 90% democratic party 80% republican surge 70% primary election 70% gavin newsom 60% election strategy 50% political competition 50% rusty hicks 40% donald trump 40%