Walters: State's odd election year starts with Republicans possibly leading governor's race

"It could be one of the oddest election cycles in California's 175 years as a state, albeit one that puts the state's convoluted politics in the national spotlight. There are so many Democrats running for governor that it's theoretically possible for a Republican to win the office, despite the state's deeply blue political profile, especially with the possibility of even more Democratic hopefuls jumping into the mob as a herd of kangaroos is dubbed in Australia."

"Meanwhile, both incumbent members of Congress and aspirants will be running in districts that have been radically gerrymandered to shrink Republicans' tiny delegation even more, as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress. The possibility of a Republican governor, although very scant, stems from the state's top-two primary election system. All candidates, regardless of party, will appear on the same June 2 primary election ballot,"

Candidate filing opens for the 2026 elections in California for governor, many statewide offices, 52 congressional seats and 100 state Legislature slots. A large number of Democrats running for governor could split the vote in the top-two primary, creating a remote pathway for a Republican to advance to the November election despite the state's deeply blue profile. All candidates will share the June 2 primary ballot and the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party. Congressional districts have been reshaped by gerrymandering to further shrink the Republican delegation as Democrats pursue control of Congress. The absence of a clear Democratic frontrunner and limited party coordination increase the mathematical possibility of an upset; two Republicans already in the race could theoretically finish first and second with as little as 10-15% each if the Democratic field remains fragmented, though weaker Democrats may drop out for lack of money or poll support.

Read at www.mercurynews.com