{"id":31357,"date":"2026-03-03T23:33:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T04:33:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/california-dems-urged-to-drop-out-over-gop-takeover-fears\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T23:33:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T04:33:50","slug":"california-dems-urged-to-drop-out-over-gop-takeover-fears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/california-dems-urged-to-drop-out-over-gop-takeover-fears\/","title":{"rendered":"California Dems Urged to Drop Out Over GOP Takeover Fears"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

California’s top Democratic Party official is making an unusual plea to gubernatorial hopefuls: take a hard look at your chances and consider stepping aside.<\/p>

Rusty Hicks, who leads the California Democratic Party, issued the warning Tuesday as concerns mount that an overcrowded primary field could create an opening for Republicans to seize control of the governor’s mansion.<\/p>

The Golden State uses an open primary format where the top two vote-getters advance to November, regardless of their political party. This creates a scenario where Democrats could theoretically be shut out entirely if Republican candidates capture the two highest vote totals in the June 2nd primary.<\/p>

In a public message to Democratic contenders, Hicks acknowledged the situation: “Despite the ongoing chatter, the likelihood of two Republicans effectively ‘locking out’ California Democrats from the contest for Governor in the General Election is relatively low.”<\/p>

But he added a cautionary note: “However, while it is implausible, it is not impossible and I know we are collectively committed to taking the steps required to avoid that possibility.”<\/p>

California implemented its current primary system in 2012, and while both major parties have typically been represented in general elections since then, Democrats have maintained their winning streak in all statewide races beginning in 2011.<\/p>

The upcoming race will determine who succeeds Gavin Newsom, currently in his second and final term as governor. Newsom, who faces term limits under state law, is widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.<\/p>

The Democratic field has swelled to more than a dozen declared candidates, including former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Betty Yee. Meanwhile, fewer than a dozen Republicans have entered the contest.<\/p>

Given the crowded Democratic field, party leadership has opted against backing any single candidate, according to Hicks. This decision reflects ongoing concerns about vote splitting among too many contenders.<\/p>

With Friday marking the final day for candidates to file their paperwork, Hicks emphasized the urgency for hopefuls to realistically evaluate their campaign prospects and fundraising capabilities.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California’s Democratic Party leader is asking some gubernatorial candidates to quit their campaigns before Friday’s deadline. With over a dozen Democrats running, party officials worry the crowded field could split votes and accidentally allow two Republicans to advance to the general election.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":31356,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[833],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772598829339.png?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-89L","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31283,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/california-democratic-leader-asks-struggling-candidates-to-exit-governors-race\/","url_meta":{"origin":31357,"position":0},"title":"California Democratic Leader Asks Struggling Candidates to Exit Governor’s Race","author":"Admin","date":"March 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"California's Democratic Party chairman is calling on low-polling gubernatorial candidates to withdraw from the race, worried that too many Democrats could split the vote and allow two Republicans to advance to the general election. Several candidates, including candidates of color, are pushing back against the request and vowing to stay\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772589840190.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772589840190.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772589840190.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772589840190.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32223,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/california-democratic-party-chairs-plea-to-thin-governor-field-largely-ignored\/","url_meta":{"origin":31357,"position":1},"title":"California Democratic Party Chair’s Plea to Thin Governor Field Largely Ignored","author":"Admin","date":"March 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks' effort to convince candidates to drop out of the crowded gubernatorial race has failed, with only one candidate withdrawing. Democrats worry the packed field could split votes and allow Republicans to advance to the general election under the state's top-two primary system.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772776976779.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772776976779.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772776976779.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772776976779.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41639,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/california-democrats-risk-being-shut-out-of-governors-race-due-to-crowded-field\/","url_meta":{"origin":31357,"position":2},"title":"California Democrats Risk Being Shut Out of Governor’s Race Due to Crowded Field","author":"Admin","date":"March 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Multiple Democratic candidates competing for California governor could split the vote enough to allow two Republicans to advance to the general election. The state's unique primary system sends the top two vote-getters to November regardless of party affiliation.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774349434691.jpg?fit=450%2C326&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":45494,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/california-democrats-fear-losing-governors-race-amid-chaotic-primary-campaign\/","url_meta":{"origin":31357,"position":3},"title":"California Democrats Fear Losing Governor’s Race Amid Chaotic Primary Campaign","author":"Admin","date":"April 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Democratic Party leaders in California are expressing concern about potentially losing the governor's race for the first time in 20 years. The crowded primary field with over 50 candidates has devolved into infighting over debates and other issues while voters focus on rising costs of living.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775022174969.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775022174969.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775022174969.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775022174969.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":75938,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/california-governors-race-remains-too-close-to-call-after-primary\/","url_meta":{"origin":31357,"position":4},"title":"California Governor’s Race Remains Too Close to Call After Primary","author":"Admin","date":"June 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The gubernatorial primary in California remains undecided as multiple candidates compete for the top two spots that will advance to November's general election. 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