California Democrats Told To Withdraw To Prevent GOP Lockout
Party chair Rusty Hicks urged low-polling Democrats to withdraw to prevent two Republicans from advancing under California’s top-two primary, which could depress turnout and hurt down-ballot races.
Associated PressFearing GOP upset, top California Democrat urges lagging candidates for governor to drop out of race
The GuardianCan’t win? Drop out: California Democrats plead with governor hopefuls as party fears Republican surge
New York PostCalifornia Dems told to ‘get real’ and drop out of governor’s race if they can’t win
Los Angeles TimesStruggling Democrats need to drop out of California’s crowded governor race or risk a GOP win, party leader warns
The Daily WireCalifornia Dem Chair Warns Party Could Be Shut Out Of Governor’s Race
Overview
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks wrote that Democratic candidates without a viable path should not file for the primary.
Under California's top-two primary system, the two highest vote-getters in the June 2 primary will advance to November, raising the possibility that two Republicans could make the general election.
State schools superintendent Tony Thurmond said the party was "essentially telling every candidate of color ... to drop out" and said he would remain in the race.
Roughly nine Democrats are competing amid leading GOP contenders Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, and registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1 statewide, officials and polls show.
The filing deadline to appear on the primary ballot is March 6, and party leaders have urged candidates to withdraw before the June 2 primary to avoid vote-splitting.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as an urgent Democratic crisis, using evaluative terms ("blunt," "alarm"), prioritizing party leaders' warnings over trailing candidates' defenses, and highlighting race by noting "non-white candidates" and quoting Tony Thurmond's charge. These editorial choices emphasize intra-party conflict and the risk of a GOP upset.
FAQ
In California's top-two primary system, all candidates appear on the same primary ballot regardless of party, and the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election, even if they are from the same party.
Party chair Rusty Hicks urged low-polling Democrats to withdraw to prevent vote-splitting that could allow two Republicans to advance in the top-two primary, potentially depressing turnout and hurting down-ballot races.
The leading GOP contenders are Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, competing against roughly nine Democrats.
State schools superintendent Tony Thurmond criticized the party for essentially telling every candidate of color to drop out and stated he would remain in the race.
The filing deadline to appear on the June 2 primary ballot is March 6.
