Overview
- Recent polls place Republicans Steve Hilton and Todd Bianco at the top, raising the chance both advance under California’s top-two primary system that sends only the two highest vote-getters to November regardless of party.
- Only two Republicans are running while eight Democrats divide center-left voters, with just a few Democrats in low double digits and about 24% of voters still undecided.
- California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks urged low-polling Democrats to avoid filing and asked candidates to be ready to suspend by April 15 if they show no progress, yet all filed and none has exited.
- USC canceled a planned gubernatorial debate after participation rules excluded all candidates of color, a decision that threw new attention on the race and its crowded field.
- Money and controversy are shaping perceptions as Tom Steyer self-funds nearly $100 million and Bianco faces scrutiny for seizing 650,000 ballots last fall in a much-criticized inquiry.