In the heart of Los Angeles, Democratic operatives are sweating bullets. Rusty Hicks, the chair of the California Democratic Party, publicly asked the state’s lagging candidates to withdraw from the gubernatorial race. His advice? Step aside before the top-two primary turns into a Republican victory lap.
California’s top-two primary system is laying a trap for the Democrats. The top-two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to November. More candidates mean more fractured votes. In a Democrat-heavy state, the risk is real: dilute the vote enough, and Republicans could snag both November spots. The primary is set for June 2, 2026.
The Top-Two System
California’s top-two primary isn’t just another electoral wrinkle. It has teeth. By advancing the two candidates with the most votes to the general, party affiliation becomes a mere label. Democrats like Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter might find themselves out of contention simply because their party can’t unite. Flashback to 2014: Leland Yee was embroiled in scandal but still pocketed 300,000 votes. The GOP watched that fragmentation unfurl with joy.
Hicks didn’t mince words. He suggested that, for the greater good, some Democrats should step down. That advice was about as welcome as a skunk at a garden party. Tony Thurmond, furious, equated it to a hit on candidates of color. Hicks’ pointed warnings are falling flat. Yet, there’s a point in his plea: recent polls show Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco within arm’s reach. A repeat of 2014 could leave the Democrats in history’s dustbin this November.
Counting on Unity
Hicks’ memo is about unity, something about as elusive in politics as unicorns. Some insiders, like Elizabeth Ashford, claim it’s necessary but irrelevant. Candidates like Matt Mahan argue that voters, not Hicks, should decide who runs. It’s a classic tug of war between strategy and independence.
Recent Polling
And here’s the breakdown: In recent polling, five candidates are splitting the vote practically evenly. Most Republicans throw their weight behind Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, with 39% and 32% support respectively. Meanwhile, the Democrats are scattered with Katie Porter at 19%, Eric Swalwell at 18%, and Tom Steyer at 14%. Independents are split too: Porter leads with 15%, Hilton and Steyer are tied at 11%, Bianco trails at 9%, and Swalwell captures 8% (Source: PPIC Statewide Survey, February 2026. Survey was fielded from February 3-11, 2026). With such narrow margins, even a tiny division of the Democratic vote could lead to disaster.
What Lies Ahead?
Democrats never know how to navigate situations where diversity is destroying them politically despite their desire to inject DEI into every facet of life.
The stakes in California couldn’t be higher. On the upcoming primary date, Democrats might have to face an uncomfortable reality. Rather than risking the governorship, they need to wrangle the vote now. Or risk a GOP upset. Hicks has thrown down the gauntlet. It’s time for Democrats to decide: chaos or clarity? Hopefully, they choose chaos.
For the rest of the country, grab the popcorn