By Jasper Ward
WASHINGTON, March 3 (Reuters) – California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks on Tuesday told candidates seeking the party’s nomination for governor to “honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign,” citing worries that too large a field could hand the state’s top office to a Republican.
Under California law, the two candidates who get the most votes in the state’s open primary, regardless of party, would advance to the general election. This means if two Republicans were to receive the most votes in the state’s June 2 primary, there would be no Democrats on the ballot in November in the heavily Democratic state.
“Despite the ongoing chatter, the likelihood of two Republicans effectively ‘locking out’ California Democrats from the contest for Governor in the General Election is relatively low,” Hicks wrote in an open letter to the party’s gubernatorial candidates.
“However, while it is implausible, it is not impossible and I know we are collectively committed to taking the steps required to avoid that possibility.”
The state adopted an open primary system in 2012. Since then both Republicans and Democrats have been represented on general election ballots, though Democrats have won all races since 2011.
Gavin Newsom, who is considered a likely contender for the 2028 U.S. presidential election, is serving in his second term as California’s governor. State law prohibits a person from serving more than two terms as governor.
More than a dozen Democrats, including former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Betty Yee, have already declared their candidacy to represent the party in the gubernatorial race.
Fewer than a dozen Republicans have declared in the race.
The state’s Democratic party has chosen not to endorse any of the candidates amid concerns about the impact of a crowded candidate field, Hicks said.
For this reason, Hicks said, candidates should assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign ahead of this Friday’s filing deadline.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; editing by Scott Malone and Stephen Coates)
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