There are 8 Democrats running for the CA primary in June not 1. We should coalesce around somebody

[pnwmom]

who can win. The longer we wait, the more likely Republicans will win both slots in the primary.

We are lucky this crisis didn't happen during the general election.

In alphabetical order:

Xavier Becerra, Democrat, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and former California Attorney General
Matt Mahan, Democrat, mayor of San Jose
Katie Porter, Democrat, former U.S. representative representing Orange County
Tom Steyer, Democrat, billionaire entrepreneur and former presidential candidate
Eric Swalwell, Democrat, representative from the Bay Area
Tony Thurmond, Democrat, state superintendent of public instruction
Antonio Villaraigosa, Democrat, former mayor of Los Angeles and former Assembly Speaker
Betty Yee, Democrat, former state Controller

And the Republicans:
Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff
Steve Hilton, Fox News contributor and former adviser to conservative British prime minister David Cameron

https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/03/california-governor-candidates/

[samsingh]

1. absolutely

[NBachers]

2. I'm dropping Swalwell and moving toward Becerra. If Becerra can't get momentum, I'm gonna have to consider Steyer.

Steyer, though I'm not a fan of him for governor, probably has the media and campaign apparatus to defeat the Pukes.

And that's my primary focus.

[Sibelius Fan]

9. Steyer has put a ton of money behind D initiatives.

I don’t hold his being a billionaire against him, anymore than I would have held the assets of the Kennedys against JFK, back when being a multi-millionaire meant something.

[Nanjeanne]

10. He was a big fundraiser and supporter of Obama and then Hillary in 2016

[leftstreet]

3. Where will all of Swalwell's endorsers go?

He lost a lot of known D politicians, labor unions, etc

Can anyone predict if they'll go with a specific candidate?

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

4. Is it too late for Kamala to enter?

I know she's thinking of running for president, but I wish she would reconsider

[usonian]

6. Only a write-in might work, if at all possible, and it would take a miracle, as likely as Orban losing ...

[usonian]

5. Recently Steyer and Porter were next up.

Steyer has loads of money, but a progressive platform.

"Take me to your leader".

I have argued for some strong endorsement.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21166796

A very heavyweight endorsement (1) would help but not likely from within the state.

Sat Apr 11, 2026, 04:19 PM

It would show commitment to party over any possible brickbats thrown their way.

Perhaps a Stephen Colbert or Pope Leo. This is not so far-fetched. These two are the only public figures in a recent poll who are above water in favorable/unfavorable.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/13244500

But egos?

(1) Pelosi and Schiff excluded, for the all too late and all too public advice they gave Joe Biden.

[mikewv]

7. Exactly! nm

nm

[Sibelius Fan]

8. I'm backing Steyer and Porter, in that order.

Both are outspoken progressives. Steyer has put million$ behind D initiatives. Porter was my Rep until they redrew the maps and forced her out. Loved her work in the House.

[moonscape]

11. Right now I'm hoping

Becerra is a major beneficiary of this upheaval.

Right now he has my vote, unless as we get closer it would be throwing my vote away. Then I’ll assess but likely pivot to Steyer.