Tuesday, February 24, 2026- In a dramatic display of a party struggling to coalesce around leadership, Eric Swalwell emerged as the top vote-getter at the California Democratic Party’s state endorsing convention in San Francisco, receiving roughly 24% of delegate support.
Despite leading the pack, Swalwell fell far short of the 60% threshold required to secure the party’s official endorsement for governor, leaving the field without a unifying nominee less than 100 days before the June 2 primary. This moment underscores how fractured Democratic ranks are in the state’s high-stakes gubernatorial contest.
The crowded field — featuring candidates like former state controller Betty Yee and former attorney general Xavier Becerra, among others — has prevented any single candidate from breaking out.
Delegate backing diverged sharply from broader voter polls, where some contenders lag far behind and Democrats worry that splitting support could carry serious risks under California’s top-two primary system. Fears are growing that if Democratic voters remain divided, two Republican candidates could capture the top spots in November, a scenario that would be unprecedented in the state’s recent political history.
With the primary approaching, Democratic leaders are now under pressure to find ways to unify the party. Some delegates and strategists are urging lower-performing campaigns to drop out to consolidate support behind a stronger contender, but no withdrawals have been announced yet.
The outcome could shape not just California’s political landscape, but also influence national Democratic momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections, as internal divisions become a focal point of debate within the party.
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