Gubernatorial candidates set tone for primary vote

SAN FRANCISCO - Six candidates running for California governor squared off on the debate stage Wednesday, yet the forum may have created more questions than answers for political observers, as Democrats struggle to coalesce around a candidate ahead of the June primary.

The debate came just weeks after Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who was seen as a Democratic frontrunner in the race, dropped out and resigned from Congress after sexual assault allegations surfaced. The former congressman has denied any wrongdoing.

Swalwell’s exit scrambled the field, though it offered a chance for two other Democratic candidates to compete at Wednesday’s debate, hosted by The Hill’s parent company NewsNation and Nexstar.

Democrat Betty Yee also dropped out of the race this week, narrowing the competitive field amid enduring concerns that the amount of Democratic candidates could splinter the party’s vote. The top two vote-getters on the June 2 primary ballot will advance to the general, regardless of party affiliation — opening the door for two candidates from the same party to move forward.

With a little over a month to go until the primary, the candidates are on the hunt for stand-out moments on the debate stage and beyond that could propel them to the front of the primary pack.


Most of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates in the debate avoided criticizing California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) too harshly as he has so far avoided picking a favorite.