California Governor Race: Democrats' Wild Uncertainty

0:00It's April 1st. This is Durham News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. California's governor race is turning into a total mess for Democrats, who have controlled the state for decades. With mail-in voting kicking off soon, party leaders are sweating a potential loss the first in 20 years. Over 50 candidates are in the mix, including eight big-name Democrats and two top Republicans, all battling in the nation's biggest state economy. The top two primary system is shaking things up, where only the top two vote getters advanced to November, no matter their party. Democrats worry their 24 candidates will split the vote, letting Riverside County share of Chad Bianco and commentator Steve Hilton sneak through. These Trump backers could force a Republican into the general election. Voters are fed up with sky-high gas, groceries and housing costs, plus homelessness and budget woes. But the campaign has gone off the rails with personal attacks and identity fights. A big debate got canceled after complaints that it only invited white candidates, snubbing

1:02black, Latino and Asian ones, turning focus away from real. Issues, polls from early February show Bianco, Hilton and a few Democrats like Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter and Tom Steyer, bunched up at the top with everyone else lagging. Matter and consultants admit no one knows how it'll play out, especially with digital distractions keeping voters checked out. This wild uncertainty could ripple nationwide, hurting Democratic turnout in house races and they're shot at Congress control, as California leads the resistance against Trump while grappling with its own crises.