Democratic Party Internal Fights

An Associated Press report details how California’s 2026 governor’s race has turned into a chaotic, high‑stakes fight that Democrats admit they may be losing control of, despite dominating the state for decades. With more than 50 candidates on the June 2 ballot—including 24 Democrats—strategists fear the state’s 'top‑two' primary rules could send two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton, both Trump backers, into the November runoff if Democrats continue splintering the vote. The article describes how the campaign has veered away from voters’ top concerns over gas, groceries and housing into infighting over debate rules, identity‑politics disputes, and recriminations about 2025 ballot counting, culminating in USC canceling a major televised debate after only six white candidates met the criteria and excluded Black, Latino and Asian rivals cried discrimination. State party chair Rusty Hicks has publicly pleaded with low‑polling Democrats to drop out, while veteran consultant Dan Newman bluntly says no one really knows how to re‑assert control, underscoring broader national worries that disorganized primaries in key states could hand Republicans winnable races even on deep‑blue turf.

Some Democratic senators are breaking with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer over his endorsement strategy for key 2026 Senate primaries, reflecting rising intra‑party tensions about how best to defend vulnerable seats. Those divisions mirror broader anxiety in California’s chaotic governor’s contest — with more than 50 candidates (24 Democrats who could split the vote), the possibility of two Republicans advancing under top‑two rules, canceled debates and party leaders urging weak Democrats to withdraw.