Whiteboards And Freebies: California Gubernatorial Democrats Struggle To Impress Voters

California Democrats gathered over the weekend for their 2026 state convention, where gubernatorial candidates vied for a party endorsement. None of them, however, secured a majority of the support to be the leading candidate.

Democratic candidates in the state have struggled to gain traction among voters, with at least nine top party members running for governor. Concerns have risen within the party about the possibility of the top two Republican candidates advancing through the jungle primary and onto the general election ballot. Many in the group hoped for an endorsement from delegates. (RELATED: GOP Frontrunner For Gov Floats Pathway To Citizenship — Sound Familiar?)

Democrats convened in San Francisco on Saturday to hear from candidates outlining their platforms and policies. Former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter delivered a speech and, at one point, held up her infamous whiteboard with “Fuck Trump” written on it. Several other candidates also criticized President Donald Trump.

Gubernatorial candidate and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who was unable to speak from the podium because he entered the race late, told Nexstar California Capitol Reporter Eytan Wallace that candidates should not compete to prove who hates Trump the most.

“We should be fighting to make life better for middle class and working families,” Mahan told Wallace.

Candidates made other apparent efforts to win over delegates. Billionaire Tom Steyer offered free lunch, with video footage showing a lengthy line for the meal. Despite the appeals to delegates, no candidate reached the 60% threshold required for the party’s endorsement. On Sunday, results showed Rep. Eric Swalwell receiving roughly 24% support, former California State Controller Betty Yee close behind at 17.3% and Biden’s former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra at an estimated 14%.

The lack of an official party endorsement for a single candidate comes as multiple polls show the top GOP gubernatorial contenders, Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, leading statewide.

On Wednesday, Emerson College Polling released a survey showing Hilton leading with 17% support, followed by Bianco and Swalwell tied at 14%. Porter trailed at 10%. The poll came just a day after Becerra’s campaign released a second poll conducted by Tavern Research that showed Bianco leading with 20% from supporters, followed by Hilton at 12% and Swalwell at 10%.

The concerns around GOP candidates Bianco and Hilton potentially advancing to the general election began circulating quickly on Feb. 15 after elections expert Paul Mitchell spoke to KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala about the possibility. Mitchell at the time estimated only a roughly 12% chance that the Republican contenders could push out Democrats after the June primary. He warned the likelihood shouldn’t be “dismissed.” Following the release of Emerson College’s survey, Mitchell posted that the chances had jumped from 12% to 18% as of Feb. 18.

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