A former governor of California has expressed his opposition to the notion of low-ranking Democratic candidates withdrawing from the current gubernatorial race, even if their participation risks the party being excluded from the election.

Gray Davis, California’s Democratic leader from 1999 to 2003, has advised candidates to resist the state Democratic party’s pressure to exit the race prematurely.

The party is aiming for top-polling candidates to amass more Democratic votes in the upcoming June primary.

“Numerous individuals urged me to bow out,” Davis shared with Inside California Politics on Saturday. “That only fueled my determination. I strategized better, put in more effort, and with some fortunate turns, I ultimately achieved a significant victory.”

Davis’ gubernatorial campaign in 1998 marked the last instance of such an open contest in the state.

Amid fierce competition between two prominent candidates, Davis — initially a long-shot contender with low polling numbers — managed to surpass them, securing a decisive win.

Now, the numerous low-polling candidates in a crowded Democratic field are in a similar situation.

While three Democrats are hovering near the top, the rest of the pack include former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state controller Betty Yee, state Superintendent of of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

So many contenders are splitting the Democratic vote that a number of polls have predicted the field’s two Republican candidates, Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, may get the top two highest number of votes in June.

If so, under California’s structure, that means only Hilton and Bianco will appear on the November ballot. “They have a valid reason to be freaked out,” top polling expert Paul Mitchell said of the Democrats.

With this possibility, Davis still said candidates need to trust their own gut on what to do.

“It’s fine for someone else to tell you you should get out, but that’s not their business,” Davis told the Los Angeles Times.

“You’re the candidate, and if you think for whatever reason you want to stay in the race, you should stay in the race.”

By staying in the race, a candidate would be able to take advantage of potential developments and opportunities, he added. Anything can happen like in 1998.

If people want to narrow the field, they should do it “organically” such as consolidating donors, Davis said.

The former governor hasn’t endorsed any candidate this year, but he said he’s friends with two low-polling contenders – Yee and Villaraigosa. They are polling at 1% and 4% respectively, according to the most recent nonpartisan poll.