Overview
- Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton have shifted to open attacks, raising concerns about weakening Republican prospects in June.
- The California Democratic Party declined to endorse at its convention after no candidate cleared 60%, underscoring a crowded field with no clear leader.
- A recent Emerson College/Inside California Politics poll shows Hilton at 17%, with Eric Swalwell and Bianco tied at 14% among likely voters.
- Analysts caution that a Democrat shutout is possible but improbable, though they warn it could depress Democratic turnout and affect down-ballot races if it occurred.
- The next inflection points are the March 6 filing deadline, when the field could change, and the June 2 top-two primary that will decide who advances to November.