California’s Democratic leaders are increasingly anxious as the state’s gubernatorial race features a mix of lackluster candidates, heightening the possibility that two Republicans might advance from the June primary.
The unsettling scenario, where these “zombie campaigns” could potentially usher in a Republican governor for the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s departure in 2011, has led to what one Democratic state legislator described to The Post as a chaotic “sh—show.”
“I’ve never witnessed such a major race unfold this way,” the legislator remarked. “I’m genuinely concerned that we’ll end up with two extreme Republicans.”
During the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco this weekend, another state legislator criticized the party’s unfocused leadership under chair Rusty Hicks. Hicks has indicated he has no plans to pressure candidates to withdraw. In the state’s jungle primary system, the top two candidates, regardless of party, advance to the November general election.
“You’d expect the party chair to be taking proactive steps to avert disaster,” a second state legislator shared with The Post.
“Yet, there’s been radio silence,” they added.
The latest polling shows two Republicans — former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco — leading the crowded field with 17% and 14% support, respectively.
Meanwhile, support for the top Democratic candidates is split fairly evenly between Rep. Eric Swalwell (14%), former Congresswoman Katie Porter (12%) and progressive billionaire Tom Steyer (9%).
The flailing group of Dem candidates desperately seeking to gain traction also includes San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond, former Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra and former state controller Betty Yee.
Despite the rising anxiety among Democratic leaders, Hicks — a former Southern California labor boss who has served as Democrats’ state party chair since 2019 — said he believes the field will “naturally winnow itself.”
He added, “California Democrats will do what’s required to ensure we have a strong candidate coming out of the primary.”
A political consultant working on one of the Democratic campaigns for governor wasn’t so sure.
“There are only two people who can lean on people to get out of the race: [Gov.] Gavin Newsom and Nancy Pelosi,” the source told The Post.
However, Pelosi only briefly touched on electing a Democrat in a “very important” governor’s race during her convention speech.
Villaraigosa, who was garnering just 3% support in a poll by Emerson College, told The Post that he has no intention of bowing out of the race as he attended a party Friday night at Tropisueño, a Mexican restaurant and bar in the South of Market area.
“At the end of the day, everybody has a right to run,” Villaraigosa said. “The notion that two Republicans can win [the primary] is poppycock.”
Asked if he seriously thinks he can win, Villaraigosa deadpanned: “Without question.”
Matt Dorsey, a San Francisco supervisor who is supporting Mahan’s candidacy for governor, wasn’t quite so sure.
“I’m worried about two Republicans polling really well and Democrats — we’re not coalescing around anybody,” Dorsey said.
“I’m glad I’m not the political consultant for anybody in this race, because it’s gonna be a wild ride.”
