Top California Democrat Urges Lagging Governor Candidates to Drop Out

Fears GOP upset in heavily Democratic state if too many Democrats split the primary vote

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Rusty Hicks, the chair of the California Democratic Party, has urged lagging candidates in the crowded governor's race to drop out, warning that a large Democratic field could allow two Republican candidates to advance to the November election under the state's top-two primary system. Hicks said such an outcome could have major fallout, including depressing Democratic turnout in the general election.

Why it matters

California is a heavily Democratic state, and a Republican victory in the governor's race would be a major upset with national implications. Democrats are concerned that a large field of Democratic candidates could split the primary vote, allowing two Republicans to advance to the general election.

The details

Hicks sent a blunt message to the Democratic candidates, saying that if they do not see a 'viable path' to November, they should drop out. The response from trailing candidates was swift, with state schools superintendent Tony Thurmond, who is Black, saying the party is 'essentially telling every candidate of color … to drop out.' Another candidate, former state controller Betty Yee, a daughter of Chinese immigrant parents, did not mention Hicks' statement in her announcement that she would be filing paperwork to officially set her candidacy in motion.

  • The California primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026.

The players

Rusty Hicks

Chair of the California Democratic Party.

Tony Thurmond

State schools superintendent and Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

Betty Yee

Former state controller and Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

Chad Bianco

Riverside County Sheriff and Republican gubernatorial candidate.

Steve Hilton

Conservative commentator and Republican gubernatorial candidate.

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What they’re saying

“Aren't we supposed to be the party who embraces democracy?”

— Tony Thurmond, State schools superintendent and Democratic gubernatorial candidate (X)

“I'll be candid with you. My first reaction is: I get why he sent it. There is some concern.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The California primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026, and it remains to be seen whether any Democratic candidates will heed Hicks' call to drop out of the race.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges of California's top-two primary system, which could potentially lead to an all-Republican general election in a heavily Democratic state. The Democratic Party is grappling with how to navigate this complex political landscape and ensure that their values and priorities are represented in the governor's race.