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California’s general election is revealing fault lines in the Democratic Party

Republican candidates’ successful showings in the state pose existential questions for the Democratic Party

    • The housing crisis, wildfires, homelessness and fiscal pressures have not eased under Democratic governance.
    • The housing crisis, wildfires, homelessness and fiscal pressures have not eased under Democratic governance. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
    Published Sun, Jun 14, 2026 · 06:00 PM

    CALIFORNIA’S Jun 2 primary elections have set the stage for two of the most consequential political contests in the state’s recent history: a wide-open race for governor and a high-stakes mayoral battle in Los Angeles.

    Both races, now heading towards November run-offs, reveal a California electorate that is restless, ideologically fragmented and wrestling with unresolved crises that no administration has yet managed to solve.

    A fractured Democratic field

    With incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom ineligible to seek a third term, a massive field of 61 candidates entered the race.