Wild weekend could bring big changes to race for Governor

The past weekend in California politics brought lots of twists and turns. “It was a wild weekend in California politics,” said Adjunct McGeorge School of Law Professor Chris Micheli.Wild about sums it up. Though the weekend is only two days long, Micheli says this past weekend packed a political punch.”It was pretty monumental in terms of the June primary,” he added.All eyes are on June. In California, only the top two vote-getters for governor, regardless of party, move on to the November election. The two top Republicans are outpacing any of the Democrats.”Will two Republicans be the two top vote getters and prevent any Democrats from getting there,” asked Micheli? “If a Democrat gets into second place, who will it be?”A Democrat has never not been on a November ballot for governor in California’s history. Could this year be a first?”Dare I say if there is a year for this to happen, it’s this year,” said California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin.The Republican Party didn’t endorse a candidate over the weekend at its convention, but Rankin says that was expected.”We have two really amazing candidates on the Republican side that can do a really good job representing the state of California,” Rankin added.Last week, President Trump threw his support behind Steve Hilton. Some wonder if that will give him the edge over Chad Bianco.”I think President Trump’s endorsement of Steve Hilton could actually tip things in such a favor, and Bianco could drop out of second place,” said Micheli. “The question then becomes, do Democrats get behind one main candidate?”That could be a bright spot for the Democrats after a weekend full of dark clouds. Congressman Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race, facing allegations of sexual misconduct that include sexual assault. Swalwell was considered the party’s frontrunner.”We are confident we will elect a Democratic Party governor in November,” said Democratic strategist Robin Swanson. “It is just a matter of which one.”Last month, the chairman of the state’s Democratic Party urged those of the eight candidates who don’t believe they can win to get out of the race by this Wednesday. The party is confident it will come together to back a single candidate.”I think in June you’re going to see a Democrat emerge, and I do think, and I do think it is going to be a Democrat versus Republican race,” Swanson said. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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