Crowded California governor’s race tests Dems as calls to drop out fall flat

California’s Democratic Party chair urged underperforming candidates to drop out to avoid a GOP victory, but eight of nine top contenders stayed in as the June primary nears. One candidate withdrew and endorsed Swalwell, while others—including candidates of color—criticized the pressure as the field remains crowded and the race appears tightly contested in polls. The split field could still yield two Republicans on the November ballot, risking California’s first GOP governor since 2006.