By Maya C. Miller, CalMatters
Democrats in California are on the hunt for a strong candidate to lead them in the governor’s race. So far, the party’s leadership hasn’t stepped up to guide the way.
Even with Rep. Eric Swalwell bowing out of the race recently, the Democratic field still has seven major candidates competing. Each is holding on, hoping to attract the attention that Swalwell’s departure brought. It’s a crowded race, and no one seems willing to step aside.
Current Governor Gavin Newsom, a key figure in the party, isn’t looking to boost someone as his successor. Party Chair Rusty Hicks is facing criticism for not streamlining the candidate pool, instead relying on polls and vague suggestions for candidates to think about their chances of success. There’s a sense of inaction, even from seasoned leaders like Nancy Pelosi, who also isn’t making any moves to intervene.
Christine Pelosi, Nancy’s daughter and a candidate herself, mentioned the pressure on her mother but emphasized that her mom isn’t stepping in this time. “She’s not going to do that again,” Christine stated. Significant political figures like Newsom and Pelosi, once formatives in California politics, seem to be moving on without passing the torch.
The landscape has changed significantly. In the past, the San Francisco political machine produced key players like Newsom and Jerry Brown. This year, that pipeline is empty. No obvious contender has emerged, and potential favorites like Kamala Harris and Alex Padilla have opted out. This leads to a troubling reality: California’s first open Democratic primary in 16 years lacks a clear leader.
This primary season is particularly tense due to the state’s top-two system, which could lead to two candidates from the same party making it to the general election. This concept, established 16 years ago, is still controversial. Newsom, echoing the party’s current sentiment, stated, “I am confident that voters will pick a candidate that aligns with what Californians value.”
Grassroots activists have long criticized the “political machine” for its control over candidate selection. Yet now, the sheer number of candidates means confusion reigns, leaving many Democrats unsatisfied. This endless competition without a frontrunner could have dire consequences, particularly the risk of two Republicans advancing. RL Miller, chair of the party’s environmental caucus, expressed frustration: “It’s been incredibly scary,” she said.
Some believe party leaders are being too cautious after the backlash from the 2016 election, where many felt the party dismissed grassroots candidates in favor of established figures. As the field expanded, leaders hoped candidates would drop out naturally, but that hasn’t happened. Instead, an anxiety settled in before the endorsing convention, where no candidate could secure the necessary 60% support.
Hicks did release an open letter advising candidates to seriously evaluate their chances but only one, Ian Calderon, withdrew after polling at 1%. Hicks later announced continuous polling through early May, hoping to assess the race better.
Many, like Paul Mitchell, an expert in electoral strategy, believe Hicks should avoid picking favorites—especially since the recent convention failed to produce a consensus. He commented on the current structure and the lack of clear leadership, stating, “That’s not the chair’s role in California right now.”
Amid all this, the looming top-two primary is exacerbating tensions. Christine Pelosi noted that without it, there would be less urgency among voters. However, the risk of two Republicans making it is creating a feeling of necessity for decisive action.
Despite several calls for action, support for Hicks is mixed. Amar Shergill, a former leader of the progressive caucus, suggested a prevailing belief that decentralized leadership benefits elite interests over equal representation. “It’s just the political environment as it stands,” he explained.
Hicks defends his approach, stating he’s doing what’s needed for the party. Yet when pressed about specific actions or strategies, he remained reticent, saying, “I’m not interested in unveiling our plans.”
This situation represents a clear shift in party dynamics. As California moves toward an uncertain primary, it remains to be seen how Democratic leaders will navigate these choppy waters.
CalMatters’ Yue Stella Yu contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on CalMatters.
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