BLACK mobile logo

united states

California Democrats Head Into Governor’s Race Without a Chosen Candidate

February 24, 2026

The California Democratic Party failed to endorse a gubernatorial candidate at its 2026 convention in San Francisco, breaking a tradition spanning over fifty years. No candidate reached the required 60% threshold for endorsement, with Representative Eric Swalwell leading at approximately 24%, followed by Betty Yee and Xavier Becerra. Public polling shows similar fragmentation, with 21% of voters undecided and Republican Steve Hilton leading at 17%.

Who is affected

  • California Democratic Party (CADEM) delegates
  • Governor candidates including U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, former State Controller Betty Yee, former U.S. Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Republican Steve Hilton, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, former Rep. Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond
  • California voters, particularly Black Californians concerned with housing affordability, homelessness, and cost of living
  • Party chair Rusty Hicks
  • California Black Media readers

What action is being taken

  • Candidates are sharpening their campaign pitches on the trail (Thurmond focusing on public education, Swalwell on national security and party unity, Steyer on climate policy and economic reform)
  • California Black Media is meeting directly with candidates and will publish an ongoing Q&A series over the next several weeks

Why it matters

  • This is the first time in over fifty years that the California Democratic Party has not endorsed a gubernatorial candidate, removing a historically powerful organizing tool ahead of the June 2 primary. The fragmented Democratic field combined with California's top-two-primary system creates a significant opening for Republican candidates to claim one of the two general election slots. With one-fifth of voters undecided, the race remains highly unpredictable, shifting power from party insiders to grassroots organizing efforts and directly to voters themselves.

What's next

  • California Black Media will release Q&A interviews with candidates over the next several weeks, starting with two candidates in no particular order.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

California Democrats Head Into Governor’s Race Without a Chosen Candidate