California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks has publicly urged several Democratic candidates vying for the governorship to withdraw from the race before the March 6 filing deadline, citing concerns about vote-splitting and the potential for a Republican to win the November general election. The unusual appeal, made in an open letter Tuesday, comes as the state faces the possibility of an all-Republican runoff under California’s top-two primary system.
Hicks’s letter explicitly called on candidates to “honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign,” though he did not name specific individuals. The move reflects a growing anxiety within the California Democratic establishment about the crowded field of candidates and the risk of a repeat of the 2018 gubernatorial primary, where a Republican advanced to the general election despite a significant Democratic voter registration advantage. The party opted against endorsing a candidate at its February state convention, signaling a lack of consensus on a frontrunner.
The call for candidates to drop out has sparked controversy, with concerns raised that it disproportionately impacts candidates of color. Several of the struggling Democratic contenders are people of color, leading to accusations that the party is effectively asking minority candidates to step aside. This dynamic is particularly sensitive given the state’s diverse electorate and the Democratic Party’s reliance on minority voters.
According to recent polling data, five leading candidates – Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, and Tom Steyer among them – are in a “virtual tie,” creating a highly competitive and fragmented Democratic field. Hicks warned that a divided Democratic vote could allow the two leading Republican candidates, Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, to advance to the general election. While acknowledging that a Republican victory remains “implausible,” Hicks insisted it is “not impossible,” particularly with President Trump in office.
The party chair emphasized the importance of Democratic leadership in California, particularly regarding Proposition 50, a voter-approved measure that will reshape congressional district maps. Hicks warned that a failure to elect a Democratic governor could lead to depressed Democratic turnout in November, potentially jeopardizing the party’s efforts to secure more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. He stated that if a Democrat were to fail to advance to the general election for governor, it could have a ripple effect on down-ballot races.
Hicks’s public admonishment is considered rare in California politics, reflecting the urgency felt by party leaders as the primary election approaches. The filing deadline of March 6 looms, after which the field of candidates will be set for the June primary. The California Democratic Party has not yet commented on whether it will take further action if candidates do not heed Hicks’s call to withdraw.
