Democratic Leaders Clash Over Congressional Endorsement

State party chair accused of trying to block Sen. Mike McGuire's endorsement despite 74% delegate support

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sen. Mike McGuire accused Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks of trying to block his endorsement for the 1st Congressional District despite the backing of 74% of delegates. Hicks made an eleventh-hour move to approve a review sought by McGuire's primary opponent Audrey Denney, sparking a heated exchange between the two Democratic heavyweights at the state party convention.

Why it matters

The clash between McGuire and Hicks highlights internal divisions within the California Democratic Party, raising questions about party unity and the integrity of the endorsement process ahead of a key congressional race.

The details

Delegates from the region voted Saturday by a 74% margin to endorse McGuire, but at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Hicks approved a review sought by Denney. McGuire accused Hicks of putting his "thumb on the scale" to guarantee the review committee considered Denney's challenge, even though her campaign said they had submitted the required 20 signatures. McGuire's supporters believe Hicks has a personal vendetta against their candidate dating back to 2023 when McGuire backed Hicks' opponent in a bid for a vacant Assembly seat.

  • On Saturday, delegates voted 74% to endorse McGuire.
  • At 8 a.m. on Sunday, Hicks approved a review sought by Denney.

The players

Sen. Mike McGuire

The former Senate president and favorite to win the heavily redrawn 1st Congressional District.

Rusty Hicks

The California Democratic Party Chair who made an eleventh-hour move to block McGuire's endorsement.

Audrey Denney

McGuire's Democratic primary opponent who sought the review of the endorsement process.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What the hell is going on here?”

— Sen. Mike McGuire (shastascout.org)

“This hearing is an embarrassment. We're supposed to be Democrats — people who believe in the sanctity of elections, voter integrity, and that every vote counts. Instead, this morning, because of two people trying to put their finger on the scale, the headline coming out of this hearing is all about party bosses trying to overturn votes behind closed doors in the dead of night.”

— Sen. Mike McGuire (shastascout.org)

What’s next

The review committee ultimately denied Denney's challenge, paving the way for McGuire's endorsement.

The takeaway

The clash between McGuire and Hicks underscores the internal divisions within the California Democratic Party and raises concerns about the integrity of the endorsement process, which could have implications for the upcoming congressional race.