California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks urged Democrats running for governor in 2026 to take an “honest” look at whether they can reach the top two in the state’s June 2 primary, warning that a splintered field could, in a low-probability scenario, allow two Republicans to advance to the November general election.
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks has urged the party’s gubernatorial contenders to reassess whether they have a realistic path to the general election, saying that a crowded field could — in an unlikely but possible outcome — result in two Republicans finishing first and second in California’s top-two primary.
In an open letter dated March 3, 2026, Hicks wrote that “the likelihood of two Republicans effectively ‘locking out’ California Democrats from the contest for Governor in the General Election is relatively low,” but added: “However, while it is implausible, it is not impossible.”
Under California’s top-two system, all candidates for governor appear on the same primary ballot and the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party. In his letter, Hicks said the filing deadline for the primary ballot was approaching on Friday, March 6, and asked candidates without “a viable path” to the general election not to file.
Hicks also told candidates who do file to be prepared to suspend their campaigns and endorse another Democrat “on or before April 15th” if they cannot show “meaningful progress” in the following weeks.
The warning comes as Democrats and Republicans compete in an open race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is barred by term limits from seeking another term. The field includes Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Tom Steyer. On the Republican side, contenders include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton.
Hicks argued that a Democratic absence from the gubernatorial general election could hurt turnout and weaken the party’s position in other contests. In the letter, he said depressed Democratic turnout could threaten efforts to win additional U.S. House seats and “imperil Democrats’ chances to retake the House, cut Donald Trump’s term in half, and spare our Nation from the pain many have endured since January 2025.”
The California Secretary of State’s office lists June 2, 2026, as the date of the statewide direct primary election. Newsom has not publicly endorsed a candidate in the gubernatorial race.
