General Discussion

pnwmom

(110,301 posts) Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:21 PM Apr 12

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

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/

11 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

There are 8 Democrats running for the CA primary in June not 1. We should coalesce around somebody (Original Post) pnwmom Apr 12 OP

absolutely samsingh Apr 12 #1

I'm dropping Swalwell and moving toward Becerra. If Becerra can't get momentum, I'm gonna have to consider Steyer. NBachers Apr 12 #2

Steyer has put a ton of money behind D initiatives. Sibelius Fan Apr 12 #9

He was a big fundraiser and supporter of Obama and then Hillary in 2016 Nanjeanne Apr 12 #10

Where will all of Swalwell's endorsers go? leftstreet Apr 12 #3

Is it too late for Kamala to enter? Ghost of Tom Joad Apr 12 #4

Only a write-in might work, if at all possible, and it would take a miracle, as likely as Orban losing ... usonian Apr 12 #6

Recently Steyer and Porter were next up. usonian Apr 12 #5

Exactly! nm mikewv Apr 12 #7

I'm backing Steyer and Porter, in that order. Sibelius Fan Apr 12 #8

Right now I'm hoping moonscape Apr 12 #11

samsingh

(18,443 posts)

1. absolutely

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:26 PM

Apr 12

NBachers

(19,500 posts)

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

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:29 PM

Apr 12

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

(24,837 posts)

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

Reply to NBachers (Reply #2)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:06 PM

Apr 12

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

(6,617 posts)

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

Reply to Sibelius Fan (Reply #9)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:08 PM

Apr 12

leftstreet

(41,063 posts)

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

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:33 PM

Apr 12

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

(1,446 posts)

4. Is it too late for Kamala to enter?

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:35 PM

Apr 12

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

usonian

(25,885 posts)

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

Reply to Ghost of Tom Joad (Reply #4)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:38 PM

Apr 12

usonian

(25,885 posts)

5. Recently Steyer and Porter were next up.

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:36 PM

Apr 12

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

(288 posts)

7. Exactly! nm

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 05:40 PM

Apr 12

Sibelius Fan

(24,837 posts)

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

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:03 PM

Apr 12

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

(5,784 posts)

11. Right now I'm hoping

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:11 PM

Apr 12

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.

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