{"id":2575678,"date":"2026-03-03T16:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T21:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ca-democratic-party-chairman-tells-trailing-gubernatorial-candidates-to-drop\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T16:03:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T21:03:58","slug":"ca-democratic-party-chairman-tells-trailing-gubernatorial-candidates-to-drop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ca-democratic-party-chairman-tells-trailing-gubernatorial-candidates-to-drop\/","title":{"rendered":"CA Democratic Party chairman tells trailing gubernatorial candidates to drop"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fca-democratic-party-chairman-tells-trailing-gubernatorial-candidates-to-drop%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2575678&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>california Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks has urged candidates who can\u2019t realistically win the governor\u2019s race to drop out, warning that a crowded field could hand Republicans a viable path to the governor\u2019s mansion under California\u2019s jungle primary system. In an open letter to those vying to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, Hicks warned that infighting and ego-driven campaigns could depress turnout and possibly produce a November general election with no democrat on the ballot. He framed the move as a national-strategy issue, arguing that thinning the field would help Democrats block a Republican takeover and protect related congressional races.<\/p>\n<p>The letter calls on struggling candidates to withdraw before the filing deadline to avoid a \u201cdoomsday\u201d scenario were a June primary lockout could enable Republicans to win in November. Analysts note the race is still unsettled: five candidates\u2014three Democrats (Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, Tom Steyer) and two Republicans (Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco)\u2014are within a few points of one another, with all five near the margin of error in polls.<\/p>\n<p>The Republican National Committee criticized Hicks\u2019s letter as a sign of weakness.Political commentators say a robust, strategic fallback is needed, as the jungle primary could still result in a Republican-controlled November general, threatening Democrats\u2019 broader electoral hopes. Some observers advocate for decisive leadership within the party to avoid an avoidable loss.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">California Democratic Party chair tells struggling gubernatorial candidates to drop out<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2514954\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Fears that a fractured Democratic field could produce a shocking result in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California&rsquo;s <\/a>gubernatorial&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">election<\/a> have prompted the state&rsquo;s party chair to implore candidates who can&rsquo;t realistically win to drop out.<\/p>\n<p>In an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cadem.org\/open-letter-to-the-democratic-candidates-for-governor\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/cadem.org\/open-letter-to-the-democratic-candidates-for-governor\/\">open letter <\/a>to the crowded field vying to replace term-limited Democratic <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1426\">Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4462053\/california-democrats-meet-party-fractured-primary-2026-elections\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4462053\">Rusty Hicks<\/a> warned that infighting and ego-driven campaigns risked handing Republicans a viable path to the governor&rsquo;s mansion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4478007\/democrats-opt-out-2026-party-convention-promised-gop\/\">Democrats opt out of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-opt-out-of-2026-party-convention-promised-by-gop\/\" title=\"... opt out of 2026 ... convention promised by GOP\">2026 party convention promised<\/a> by GOP<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4478657\/gavin-newsom-endorsement-karen-bass-reelection-los-angeles-mayor\/\">Newsom &#8216;broadly&#8217; supports Karen Bass for reelection as LA mayor<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4478508\/michigan-democrats-appear-hesitant-expand-early-voting-state-race\/\">Michigan Democrats appear hesitant to expand early voting when it could help GOP in state race<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;It is imperative that every candidate honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign,&rdquo; Hicks wrote, conceding his appeal would be difficult and possibly unpopular within his own party.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Democrats&rsquo; overwhelming advantage in the deep-blue state and nearly two decades of dominance, strategists have started to worry that the state&rsquo;s &ldquo;jungle primary&rdquo; system could scramble expectations.<\/p>\n<p>Under the system, the two highest vote-getters advance to November regardless of party. With nearly a dozen Democrats splitting the vote, party officials fear Republicans could consolidate behind fewer candidates and capture both general-election slots, locking Democrats out entirely.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Chair Hicks&rsquo; communique to Democratic candidates illustrates the growing party concern that Democrats may inflict their doomsday scenario: a November general election without a Democrat on the ballot,&rdquo; Jeff Le, managing principal at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.100milestrategies.com\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.100milestrategies.com\/\">100 Mile Strategies<\/a>, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;A June primary lockout is a Republican dream and their only viable path to occupying the governor&rsquo;s office, where they are significant 2026 underdogs.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Hicks framed the race not simply as a state contest but as a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >national political battleground unfolding<\/a> while <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">President Donald Trump<\/a> occupies the White House. A Republican governor in California would weaken Democratic resistance to the administration and undermine the party&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-dogged-by-low-confidence-from-voters-poll\/\" title=\"Poll shows low voter confidence in Kamala Harris\">broader electoral strategy<\/a>, he argued.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[S]o much is at stake in our Nation and so many are counting on the leadership of California Democrats to stand up and speak out at this historic moment,&rdquo; Hicks wrote, warning that California&rsquo;s influence would diminish without a Democratic successor to Newsom.<\/p>\n<p>He urged struggling candidates to withdraw before Friday&rsquo;s filing deadline, a clear attempt to thin the field before ballots are finalized.<\/p>\n<p>The stakes of the governor&rsquo;s race extend beyond Sacramento. Democrats fear a November ballot without a Democrat at the top of the ticket could depress turnout statewide, threatening congressional races critical to the party&rsquo;s hopes of reclaiming the House majority.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The result would present a real risk to winning the congressional seats required and imperil Democrats&rsquo; chances to retake the House, cut Donald Trump&rsquo;s term in half, and spare our Nation from the pain many have endured since January 2025,&rdquo; Hicks wrote. &ldquo;We simply can&rsquo;t let that happen.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Republican National Committee called Hicks&rsquo;s letter a sign of weakness.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Democrats throw a massive hissy fit and change the rules when they start to lose,&rdquo; RNC spokesman Nick Poche told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;California Democrats&rsquo;&nbsp;pathetic attempt at threatening their candidates to deny Californians free choice proves that Democrats are directionless, disorganized, and destined to lose in November up and down the ballot.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Three Democrats &mdash; former Rep.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/katie-porter\/\">Katie Porter<\/a>, Rep.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/eric-swalwell\/\">Eric Swalwell<\/a>&nbsp;(D-CA), and billionaire&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tom-steyer\/\">Tom Steyer&nbsp;<\/a>&mdash; and two Republicans &mdash; former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco &mdash; are&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ppic.org\/publication\/ppic-statewide-survey-californians-and-their-government-february-2026\/\">within 4 percentage points of one another<\/a>, according to the nonpartisan&nbsp;Public Policy Institute of California survey. All five candidates are also within the 3.9% margin of error heading into the June primary, underscoring how unsettled the race remains.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There comes a time in every campaign when an honest assessment is called for about whether it has the necessary resources to be viable, let alone competitive,&rdquo; veteran California-based political strategist Garry South told the&nbsp;<em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;I ran a campaign for governor &mdash; Gavin Newsom&rsquo;s first race in 2008-09 &mdash; in which a decision was made to drop out because we had run out of money. The Newsom example also shows a candidate can live to fight another day.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4473669\/two-groups-form-california-governor-race-no-clear-frontrunner\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4473669\">TWO GROUPS FORM IN CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR&rsquo;S RACE, BUT STILL NO CLEAR FRONT-RUNNER <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Political strategist <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KaivanShroff\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KaivanShroff\">Kaivan Shroff <\/a>told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>&nbsp;the Democratic Party needed more leaders such as Hicks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-nominee-cant-say-if-sex-offenders-require-a-minimum-sentence\/\" title=\"Biden Nominee Can&#039;t Say If Sex Offenders Require a Minimum Sentence\">make tough calls<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;People like to rail against the &lsquo;establishment&rsquo; but it takes strategy and planning to win,&rdquo; Shroff said. &ldquo;It would be such an unnecessary own goal if Dems allow Republicans to win here for zero reason.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CA Dem chair urges nonviable candidates to drop out<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2575679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GOV.jpeg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[4045,70345,73012,73507],"class_list":["post-2575678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-california","tag-campaign-strategy-2","tag-democratic-party-2","tag-gubernatorial-race-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GOV.jpeg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2575678"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2575682,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575678\/revisions\/2575682"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2575679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2575678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2575678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2575678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}