California Governor's Race Wide Open as San Francisco Political Machine Wanes

With no clear Democratic frontrunner, Republicans see an opening in the deep-blue state

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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California's long-dominant San Francisco political machine, which propelled the Brown and Newsom dynasties to power, is coming to an end. As a result, the race for California governor is wide open, with at least nine Democrats running and no clear favorite. This has raised concerns that the split Democratic vote could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election, even though California has not elected a Republican to statewide office in 20 years.

Why it matters

The decline of the San Francisco political machine represents a shift in California politics, with the rise of social media and a more diverse field of candidates. However, this has also left Democrats without a clear leader, raising the possibility of a Republican upset in the governor's race in the deep-blue state.

The details

The San Francisco political machine, built by figures like Edmund G. "Pat" Brown and Willie Brown, has dominated California politics for decades. But with the retirement of leaders like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the declining influence of figures like John Burton, this machine is coming to an end. As a result, the race for California governor is wide open, with at least nine Democrats running and no clear frontrunner. This has raised concerns that the split Democratic vote could allow two Republicans - Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton - to advance to the general election, even though California has not elected a Republican to statewide office in 20 years.

  • In 1943, Edmund G. "Pat" Brown won his first election as San Francisco district attorney, launching a political dynasty.
  • In 1960, Governor Pat Brown's administration awarded a contract to William Newsom II, Gavin Newsom's grandfather, to run concessions at a ski resort near Lake Tahoe.
  • In 1974, Jerry Brown, Pat Brown's son, became governor and appointed William Newsom III, Gavin Newsom's father, as a judge.
  • In 1996, Willie Brown, the former mayor and longtime State Assembly speaker, gave Gavin Newsom his first political appointment.
  • In 2026, the California governor's race is wide open, with at least nine Democrats running and no clear frontrunner.

The players

Edmund G. "Pat" Brown

A lawyer who won the San Francisco district attorney race in 1943, launching a political dynasty that would shape California politics for decades.

Jerry Brown

The son of Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, he served a record four terms as governor of California.

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California, who got his start in San Francisco politics and is part of the Newsom political network.

Willie Brown

The former mayor of San Francisco and longtime State Assembly speaker, who helped build the San Francisco political machine and gave Gavin Newsom his first political appointment.

John Burton

A former Democratic congressman from San Francisco and state party chairman who had an iron grip on the state's political machine.

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What they’re saying

“When you had the blessing of a big, powerful machine, you had an automatic advantage, there's no question about it. Now it's wide-open city, as you can see in the gubernatorial race.”

— Barbara Boxer, Former U.S. Senator (New York Times)

“There's no such party big shot. There won't be any dedazos here.”

— Xavier Becerra, California Health Secretary (New York Times)

“Newsom is our guy, and we are all focused now on whether or not we can get him the presidency.”

— Willie Brown, Former Mayor of San Francisco (New York Times)

What’s next

The June 2 primary election will determine which two candidates advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. Democrats are concerned that the split Democratic vote could allow two Republicans to advance, even though California has not elected a Republican to statewide office in 20 years.

The takeaway

The decline of the San Francisco political machine has left California Democrats without a clear frontrunner for governor, raising the possibility of a Republican upset in the deep-blue state. This shift in California politics reflects the changing nature of political power, with the rise of social media and a more diverse field of candidates.