Fearing GOP upset, top California Democrat urges lagging candidates for governor to drop out of race

"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 warning that the state's unusual top-two primary system could result in two Republican candidates advancing to the general election if the Democratic field remains too large. Under this system, all candidates appear on one ballot regardless of party, with only the top two vote-getters advancing to November. Hicks cautioned that such an outcome could cost Democrats the governorship for the first time in 16 years and depress voter turnout during a critical election cycle. His statement prompted swift backlash from trailing candidates, particularly candidates of color, who accused the party of discouraging diverse representation and questioned whether Democrats truly embrace democratic principles.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco