"California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks warned in a statement that for all the state's liberal bona fides it was possible that a large Democratic field could carve up the party's primary vote into small fractions and allow only two Republican candidates to advance to the November election. The all-GOP general election is possible under California's unusual top-two primary system, which puts all candidates on one ballot and only the top two vote-getters advance to November, regardless of party."
"Though a longshot, such an outcome could have major fallout beyond losing the governorship for the first time in 16 years, Hicks said. A Democratic vacancy at the top of the ticket in November could depress turnout at a time when the party is trying to regain control of the U.S. House to blunt President Donald Trump's agenda in Washington."
"State schools superintendent Tony Thurmond, who is Black, said the party is essentially telling every candidate of color to drop out. He vowed to stay in the race. Aren't we supposed to be the party who embraces democracy? he said in a video posted to the social platform X."
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks issued a statement urging underperforming Democratic candidates to withdraw from the gubernatorial race. He warned that a crowded Democratic primary could fragment the party's vote, potentially allowing only Republican candidates to advance to the general election under California's top-two primary system. This outcome could result in an all-GOP general election and depress Democratic turnout during a critical election cycle when the party seeks to regain control of the U.S. House. The letter, targeting single-digit polling candidates including several candidates of color, prompted swift backlash. State schools superintendent Tony Thurmond and other trailing candidates rejected the call, arguing the party should embrace democracy and questioning why candidates of color were being singled out.
#california-gubernatorial-election #democratic-primary-strategy #top-two-primary-system #vote-splitting-concerns #candidate-diversity-and-representation
Read at www.sandiegouniontribune.com
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