During a recent interview, Jon Stewart criticized the Democratic Party for what he perceives as their self-centered approach, as he conversed with a leading contender for the role of California governor.
Stewart outright told San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan that the sheer amount of Democrats like him vying for the position could ultimately hamper their party’s chances in the race on Monday’s Daily Show.
Stewart pointed out that due to California’s distinctive nonpartisan primary system, voters are left to choose among eight Democratic candidates and two Republicans.
“It’s a brilliant strategy, and it epitomizes the Democratic Party’s tendency to fragment the vote into such divided factions that ultimately the only ones left standing are the two Republicans,” Stewart remarked with evident frustration.
He added, with a chuckle barely restrained, “So clever, and yet so characteristic.”
Among the Democrats vying for the position, Mahan humorously noted that he decided to enter the race because “undecided is still leading.”
Stewart seemed puzzled by the comment, responding, “Why would you want to become Governor of California? It seems like a disaster in the making.”
An oblivious Mahan, 43, said he was satisfied with his three years as San Jose’s mayor, before touting a series of talking points often championed by conservatives.
Jon Stewart warned that too many Democrats vying for the post of California’s governor could harm the party’s chances in the race on Monday
The host had been welcoming one of several progressives fighting for the spot, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, to his show Monday when he made the remarks
‘We’ve reduced homelessness by about a third by building basic, dignified shelter, improving outreach, doing more prevention,’ Mahan said.
‘We’ve hired police officers from our community, done a lot of community policing, and started to tackle quality of life, crime.’
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a two-term Democrat widely seen as a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, has struggled on both of those fronts.
He has yet to announce any plans as to what will follow his final year as governor.
Newsom previously served as the state’s lieutenant governor under two-time, two-term Governor Jerry Brown. Brown succeeded the state’s last Republican governor, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in 2011.
Prior to that, California had not elected a conservative as governor since 1990.
Earlier this month, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks warned that such a possibility was steadily increasing. In a March 3 open letter to candidates like Mahan, Hicks told candidates to ‘honestly assess’ their chances of winning.
‘California’s leadership on the world stage is significantly harder if a Democrat is not elected as our next Governor,’ Hicks wrote at the time. Only one Democrat went on to resign.
Mahan is looking to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom, a two-term Democrat who has struggled with issues like homelessness and crime
Progressives framed as frontrunners include Representative Eric Swalwell and billionaire activist Tom Steyer.
Former Fox News host Steve Hilton and ex-Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco are the two conservatives who have declared candidacy.
Hilton received support from 19 percent of likely voters, according to a poll released Wednesday from the UC Berkeley Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research – a number that would make him a surprise favorite.
Meanwhile, the June primary is rapidly approaching, paving the way for a fierce contest in which the last two candidates need not be Democrats.
