California Democrats' Pyrrhic Victory
They avoided the worst-case scenario in the governor’s race, but their dysfunctional primary does not bode well.
TL;DR
- The California governor's primary is too close to call, with millions of ballots yet to be counted.
- The "jungle primary" system advances the top two finishers, regardless of party.
- Republican Steve Hilton is currently leading, with Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer in second and third.
- Democrats seem to have avoided a "Blue Armageddon" scenario where only Republicans advance.
- The article criticizes the Democratic Party's lack of ideological coherence, unifying figures, and compelling message.
- Donald Trump's endorsement of Hilton may have inadvertently hurt other Republican candidates.
- The Democratic field lacked strong, popular candidates, with Steyer relying on self-funding and Becerra being the best-known remaining candidate.
- The author suggests that while a Democrat is likely to win the governorship, the party's broader issues could impact future elections, including the 2028 presidential race.