Politics

California Dem chair calls on governor candidates to drop out

The push is to avoid a nightmare scenario for the party — two Republicans advancing to the general election.
California gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa speaks at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The chairman of the California Democratic Party has asked gubernatorial candidates with little shot of advancing to November’s general election to end their campaigns, giving voice to a nagging concern among strategists that the state’s dominant party risks being shut out in the all-party primary.

In an open letter to candidates, party chairman Rusty Hicks urged candidates with no path to November not to file for office ahead of Friday’s deadline, or to prepare to suspend their campaigns by the middle of April if they do not show meaningful growth.

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