California Governor Race in Chaos: Republicans Surge

0:00It's April 1st. You're listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Cory with the story. California's governor race is spinning out of control for Democrats who have dominated the state for years. In this top two primary on June 2nd, the top two finishers advanced to November, no matter their party, and with over 50 candidates mostly. Splitting the Democratic vote, two Republicans could sneak through for the first time in two decades. Meanwhile, a major debate got scrapped after outcry over eligibility rules that let six white candidates qualify while excluding black, Latino, and Asian contenders. That mess has shifted focus from real pains like sky high gas, groceries, and housing to identity fights and personal jabs. Democratic leaders are panicking, openly dreading a loss in the nation's biggest state that drives the world's fourth largest economy. Others stay undecided, ignoring past easy wins by folks like Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom, and even talk consultants in mid no one can predict the chaos.

1:03Recent polls put Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, commentators Steve Hilton, and Democrats like Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, and Tom Steyer in a tight pack, echoing the 1998 shocker when underdog Gray Davis surged ahead amid infighting. As mail-in ballots drop in less than a month, this uncertainty could ripple to house races and beyond, forcing Democrats to scramble in there. Two to one registration edge, just to hold the line.