Concerns are reportedly growing among California Democrats that the state’s primary system could result in two Republican candidates advancing to the November gubernatorial ballot. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said the possibility reflects what he described as “decades of complete Democrat failure.”
According to reporting by the New York Post, some Democratic lawmakers have privately expressed alarm that a large and, in their view, uninspiring field of candidates could divide the party’s vote in California’s “top-two” primary format. Under this system, the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes—regardless of party affiliation—advance to the general election.
One Democratic legislator reportedly characterized the situation in blunt terms, while another criticized party leadership for failing to unify behind a smaller slate of contenders.
Recent polling referenced by the Post shows former Fox News host Steve Hilton leading with 17% support. Bianco follows at 14%, tied with Representative Eric Swalwell. Former Representative Katie Porter stands at 12%, while businessman Tom Steyer polls at 9%.
Democratic convention backdrop
The debate comes as Democrats gather in San Francisco for their state party convention, where gubernatorial hopefuls are presenting their platforms ahead of the June primary. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed attendees at the Moscone Center, alongside candidates such as Swalwell and Porter.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rejected the suggestion that two Republicans could secure the top spots in the primary, calling the idea unrealistic.
Bianco, however, dismissed that assessment. In comments to Fox News Digital, he argued that Democratic concerns stem not from the number of candidates in the race but from dissatisfaction with the party’s policies.
“It’s not about a shortage of Democratic contenders,” he said. “It’s about policies they can’t defend because they haven’t worked for Californians.”
He pointed to recent polling trends, noting that Republican candidates have been competitive in surveys for months. Bianco added that he believes voters are seeking new leadership focused on transparency and accountability.
Uncertainty over party endorsement
The California Democratic Party has not yet announced which of its eight gubernatorial hopefuls will secure the party’s official endorsement following the convention.
Democrats’ worries, as reported by the Post, centre on the possibility that vote-splitting among multiple candidates could clear a path for two Republicans to move forward to November. If that scenario were to unfold and a Republican ultimately win, it would mark the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011 that the state elected a GOP governor.Concerns are reportedly growing among California Democrats that the state’s primary system could result in two Republican candidates advancing to the November gubernatorial ballot. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said the possibility reflects what he described as “decades of complete Democrat failure.”
According to reporting by the New York Post, some Democratic lawmakers have privately expressed alarm that a large and, in their view, uninspiring field of candidates could divide the party’s vote in California’s “top-two” primary format. Under this system, the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes—regardless of party affiliation—advance to the general election.
One Democratic legislator reportedly characterized the situation in blunt terms, while another criticized party leadership for failing to unify behind a smaller slate of contenders.
Recent polling referenced by the Post shows former Fox News host Steve Hilton leading with 17% support. Bianco follows at 14%, tied with Representative Eric Swalwell. Former Representative Katie Porter stands at 12%, while businessman Tom Steyer polls at 9%.
Democratic convention backdrop
The debate comes as Democrats gather in San Francisco for their state party convention, where gubernatorial hopefuls are presenting their platforms ahead of the June primary. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed attendees at the Moscone Center, alongside candidates such as Swalwell and Porter.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rejected the suggestion that two Republicans could secure the top spots in the primary, calling the idea unrealistic.
Bianco, however, dismissed that assessment. In comments to Fox News Digital, he argued that Democratic concerns stem not from the number of candidates in the race but from dissatisfaction with the party’s policies.
“It’s not about a shortage of Democratic contenders,” he said. “It’s about policies they can’t defend because they haven’t worked for Californians.”
He pointed to recent polling trends, noting that Republican candidates have been competitive in surveys for months. Bianco added that he believes voters are seeking new leadership focused on transparency and accountability.
Uncertainty over party endorsement
The California Democratic Party has not yet announced which of its eight gubernatorial hopefuls will secure the party’s official endorsement following the convention.
Democrats’ worries, as reported by the Post, centre on the possibility that vote-splitting among multiple candidates could clear a path for two Republicans to move forward to November. If that scenario were to unfold and a Republican ultimately win, it would mark the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011 that the state elected a GOP governor.Concerns are reportedly growing among California Democrats that the state’s primary system could result in two Republican candidates advancing to the November gubernatorial ballot. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said the possibility reflects what he described as “decades of complete Democrat failure.”
According to reporting by the New York Post, some Democratic lawmakers have privately expressed alarm that a large and, in their view, uninspiring field of candidates could divide the party’s vote in California’s “top-two” primary format. Under this system, the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes—regardless of party affiliation—advance to the general election.
One Democratic legislator reportedly characterized the situation in blunt terms, while another criticized party leadership for failing to unify behind a smaller slate of contenders.
Recent polling referenced by the Post shows former Fox News host Steve Hilton leading with 17% support. Bianco follows at 14%, tied with Representative Eric Swalwell. Former Representative Katie Porter stands at 12%, while businessman Tom Steyer polls at 9%.
Democratic convention backdrop
The debate comes as Democrats gather in San Francisco for their state party convention, where gubernatorial hopefuls are presenting their platforms ahead of the June primary. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed attendees at the Moscone Center, alongside candidates such as Swalwell and Porter.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rejected the suggestion that two Republicans could secure the top spots in the primary, calling the idea unrealistic.
Bianco, however, dismissed that assessment. In comments to Fox News Digital, he argued that Democratic concerns stem not from the number of candidates in the race but from dissatisfaction with the party’s policies.
“It’s not about a shortage of Democratic contenders,” he said. “It’s about policies they can’t defend because they haven’t worked for Californians.”
He pointed to recent polling trends, noting that Republican candidates have been competitive in surveys for months. Bianco added that he believes voters are seeking new leadership focused on transparency and accountability.
Uncertainty over party endorsement
The California Democratic Party has not yet announced which of its eight gubernatorial hopefuls will secure the party’s official endorsement following the convention.
Democrats’ worries, as reported by the Post, centre on the possibility that vote-splitting among multiple candidates could clear a path for two Republicans to move forward to November. If that scenario were to unfold and a Republican ultimately win, it would mark the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011 that the state elected a GOP governor.Concerns are reportedly growing among California Democrats that the state’s primary system could result in two Republican candidates advancing to the November gubernatorial ballot. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said the possibility reflects what he described as “decades of complete Democrat failure.”
According to reporting by the New York Post, some Democratic lawmakers have privately expressed alarm that a large and, in their view, uninspiring field of candidates could divide the party’s vote in California’s “top-two” primary format. Under this system, the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes—regardless of party affiliation—advance to the general election.
One Democratic legislator reportedly characterized the situation in blunt terms, while another criticized party leadership for failing to unify behind a smaller slate of contenders.
Recent polling referenced by the Post shows former Fox News host Steve Hilton leading with 17% support. Bianco follows at 14%, tied with Representative Eric Swalwell. Former Representative Katie Porter stands at 12%, while businessman Tom Steyer polls at 9%.
Democratic convention backdrop
The debate comes as Democrats gather in San Francisco for their state party convention, where gubernatorial hopefuls are presenting their platforms ahead of the June primary. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed attendees at the Moscone Center, alongside candidates such as Swalwell and Porter.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rejected the suggestion that two Republicans could secure the top spots in the primary, calling the idea unrealistic.
Bianco, however, dismissed that assessment. In comments to Fox News Digital, he argued that Democratic concerns stem not from the number of candidates in the race but from dissatisfaction with the party’s policies.
“It’s not about a shortage of Democratic contenders,” he said. “It’s about policies they can’t defend because they haven’t worked for Californians.”
He pointed to recent polling trends, noting that Republican candidates have been competitive in surveys for months. Bianco added that he believes voters are seeking new leadership focused on transparency and accountability.
Uncertainty over party endorsement
The California Democratic Party has not yet announced which of its eight gubernatorial hopefuls will secure the party’s official endorsement following the convention.
Democrats’ worries, as reported by the Post, centre on the possibility that vote-splitting among multiple candidates could clear a path for two Republicans to move forward to November. If that scenario were to unfold and a Republican ultimately win, it would mark the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011 that the state elected a GOP governor.Concerns are reportedly growing among California Democrats that the state’s primary system could result in two Republican candidates advancing to the November gubernatorial ballot. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said the possibility reflects what he described as “decades of complete Democrat failure.”
According to reporting by the New York Post, some Democratic lawmakers have privately expressed alarm that a large and, in their view, uninspiring field of candidates could divide the party’s vote in California’s “top-two” primary format. Under this system, the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes—regardless of party affiliation—advance to the general election.
One Democratic legislator reportedly characterized the situation in blunt terms, while another criticized party leadership for failing to unify behind a smaller slate of contenders.
Recent polling referenced by the Post shows former Fox News host Steve Hilton leading with 17% support. Bianco follows at 14%, tied with Representative Eric Swalwell. Former Representative Katie Porter stands at 12%, while businessman Tom Steyer polls at 9%.
Democratic convention backdrop
The debate comes as Democrats gather in San Francisco for their state party convention, where gubernatorial hopefuls are presenting their platforms ahead of the June primary. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed attendees at the Moscone Center, alongside candidates such as Swalwell and Porter.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rejected the suggestion that two Republicans could secure the top spots in the primary, calling the idea unrealistic.
Bianco, however, dismissed that assessment. In comments to Fox News Digital, he argued that Democratic concerns stem not from the number of candidates in the race but from dissatisfaction with the party’s policies.
“It’s not about a shortage of Democratic contenders,” he said. “It’s about policies they can’t defend because they haven’t worked for Californians.”
He pointed to recent polling trends, noting that Republican candidates have been competitive in surveys for months. Bianco added that he believes voters are seeking new leadership focused on transparency and accountability.
Uncertainty over party endorsement
The California Democratic Party has not yet announced which of its eight gubernatorial hopefuls will secure the party’s official endorsement following the convention.
Democrats’ worries, as reported by the Post, centre on the possibility that vote-splitting among multiple candidates could clear a path for two Republicans to move forward to November. If that scenario were to unfold and a Republican ultimately win, it would mark the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011 that the state elected a GOP governor.
