UMVA has learned that a heated battle is brewing in California's gubernatorial race, with Republican frontrunner Steve Hilton accusing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of "fear mongering" over concerns that Democrats might be shut out of the general election.
With the state's jungle primary just two weeks away, tensions are running high as both parties fear they might not be represented in the general election. Newsom recently hinted that he has a contingency plan in place to prevent a Republican shutdown, sparking a fierce response from Hilton.
Hilton claims that Newsom's comments are a tactic to split Republican voters between himself and Republican candidate Chad Bianco, who trails in the polls. Hilton argues that Newsom's "ideal scenario" would be to have two Democrats facing off, deflecting attention from his own record as he eyes a 2028 presidential run.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Newsom's office has refused to provide further comment on his contingency plan, fueling speculation about the governor's strategy. Meanwhile, Hilton has called on Bianco to drop out of the race to ensure a Republican is on the ballot.
Political strategists warn that there is a valid fear among both parties that they could be shut out of the general election due to the jungle primary system. This system, which was introduced in 2010, has led to instances where one party was shut out of the general election, including the 2018 California U.S. Senate primary.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that several strategists believe the top two vote-getters are likely to be Hilton, Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra, and Democratic candidate Tom Steyer. However, concerns remain that voter turnout might be low, putting both parties at risk of being shut out.
In response to the uncertainty, Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio is organizing a ballot initiative campaign to eliminate the jungle primary system, a measure that could appear on the 2028 ballot. Maviglio believes that if either party is shut out, voter outrage will be high, highlighting the need for reform.
