California Democrats declined to endorse a candidate for governor at their convention. Here's what that means.

"California Democrats walked away from their annual convention this weekend without making an endorsement for their anointed successor to Gov. Gavin Newsom. With eight candidates eligible for the state party's endorsement - San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan jumped into the race too late to be considered - the odds that 60% of delegates would coalesce around one candidate were low."

"Democrats looked to capitalize off the momentum of the passage of Proposition 50 - the gerrymandering ballot initiative approved by voters in November - at the three-day convention, which was held at San Francisco's Moscone Center. The gathering of 3,500 delegates and other party members also acted as a sort of swan song for Pelosi, who was one of the featured speakers and was honored at a special tribute service for her nearly 40 years in Congress as she heads toward retirement."

Democrats at the state convention declined to endorse a single gubernatorial candidate, leaving eight eligible contenders and one late entrant unconsidered. The 60% threshold for endorsement made coalescence unlikely, and several lower-polling candidates retained insider support, making field reduction before next month's filing deadline uncertain. Party heavyweights such as Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, or former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown would need to apply pressure for consolidation. Delegates sought to build on momentum from Proposition 50 while honoring Pelosi at the Moscone Center gathering of about 3,500 attendees. Concern persists that a crowded field could split Democratic votes under the jungle primary system.

Read at The Mercury News