Story perspectives

California Dems Clash Over Gubernatorial Race Fragmentation

3/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party, urges low-polling gubernatorial candidates to withdraw as the field remains fragmented.
Tony Thurmond and Xavier Becerra, California Democrats polling around 2-5%, reject the exit calls, citing racial-bias concerns.
Tony Thurmond accuses the party of favoring white candidates.
Governor Gavin Newsom initially distanced himself from Hicks.
Newsom later aligned with Hicks, warning that Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco could lead the field.

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Story summary

Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party, urges low-polling gubernatorial candidates to withdraw as the field remains fragmented.
Tony Thurmond and Xavier Becerra, California Democrats polling around 2-5%, reject the exit calls, citing racial-bias concerns.
Tony Thurmond accuses the party of favoring white candidates.
Governor Gavin Newsom initially distanced himself from Hicks.
Newsom later aligned with Hicks, warning that Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco could lead the field.