Lack of Outreach Leaves Black Voters Disengaged in California Governor's Race

Campaigns struggle to connect with communities in South LA as many voters remain undecided

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A highly textured, fragmented painting in shades of blue, purple, and red, depicting an abstract representation of a ballot box or voting booth, conveying a sense of uncertainty and division in the political process.The crowded California governor's race leaves many Black voters in South LA feeling disengaged, raising concerns about turnout and the potential for an unexpected outcome.Los Angeles Today

In neighborhoods across South Los Angeles, some Black voters say California's crowded gubernatorial race still feels distant, raising questions about turnout and who stands to benefit in a wide-open contest to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. Interviews with voters, political observers and community leaders suggest a widening gap between campaigns and the communities they aim to reach, a dynamic that could shape turnout in an election where a significant share of voters remains undecided.

Why it matters

Black voter turnout and engagement will be crucial in determining the outcome of the California governor's race, which could see two Republicans advance to the general election if Democratic support remains divided. However, many Black voters in South LA feel campaigns are failing to meaningfully connect with their communities and address their key priorities.

The details

Residents in Watts and Baldwin Hills say they have seen little to no outreach from gubernatorial candidates, with one neighborhood council member saying 'Nobody's coming out here, nobody's asking what we need.' Some voters, like Cash Lee, say they don't trust either party and want to see candidates address issues like reparations. Community leaders argue campaigns often take a 'transactional' approach to engaging Black voters, showing up only during election season rather than building sustained partnerships.

  • The California gubernatorial primary election will be held on June 6, 2026.
  • A statewide gubernatorial debate was held in February at the Bayview Opera House in San Francisco, hosted by the Black Action Alliance.
  • Another gubernatorial debate was held over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in Los Angeles, organized by the Empowerment Congress.

The players

William Taylor

A longtime resident of Watts and neighborhood council member who says he has not seen any meaningful outreach from gubernatorial candidates in his community.

Cash Lee

A Baldwin Hills resident who identifies as a Foundational Black American and says he will only support candidates who address the issue of reparations.

Rev. K.W. Tulloss

With the organization Mobilizing Preachers and Communities, he says campaigns often take a 'transactional' approach to engaging Black communities rather than building sustained partnerships.

Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey

A political journalist, professor and executive producer at KBLA Talk 1580 who says the exclusion of candidates of color from a USC gubernatorial debate 'robbed Californians, particularly voters of color, of the opportunity to hear a diversity of thought and perspective.'

Kellie Hawkins

The managing partner at Englander Knabe & Allen, who says campaigns need to 'truly reflect the values and issues that are of importance to the community' and not just show up during election season.

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What they’re saying

“'There's no representation in Watts. Nobody's coming out here, nobody's asking what we need.'”

— William Taylor, Watts resident and neighborhood council member

“'I don't trust either party right now. It feels like neither side is really addressing what's happening in our community.'”

— Cash Lee, Baldwin Hills resident

“'Too often, engagement is transactional and limited to election season, rather than rooted in sustained presence, listening and meaningful partnership with the community.'”

— Rev. K.W. Tulloss, Mobilizing Preachers and Communities

“'That decision really robbed Californians, particularly voters of color, of the opportunity to hear a diversity of thought and perspective.'”

— Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, Political journalist, professor and executive producer at KBLA Talk 1580

“'It's not enough to just show up to our events and to our churches. You need to truly reflect the values and issues that are of importance to the community.'”

— Kellie Hawkins, Managing partner at Englander Knabe & Allen

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This story highlights the critical importance of campaigns meaningfully engaging with Black voters in South LA and other communities of color, rather than taking them for granted. Failure to do so could lead to a surprising outcome where two Republicans advance to the general election, despite Democrats' voter registration advantage in the state.