California contests a “jungle primary” for it’s offices- no Simba isn’t on the ballot- which means everyone is put on the ballot together, regardless of parties, and the top two get to run in the general election, regardless of parties. In 2016, Kamala Harris won her Senate seat in November by beating Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sánchez, because they had finished as the top two in the primary. In 2024, Adam Schiff’s allies boosted former Dodger’s first baseman Steve Garvey, running ads calling him ultra-MAGA to insure he got all of the GOP votes, and other Democrats such as Katie Porter did not reach November, and it worked. Jungle primaries can lead to some wild results. It’s the law of the jungle.

Enter the 2026 California Governor’s race, the race to replace everyone’s favorite internet troll, Gavin Newsom (I am a fan, for the most part). It’s going badly. Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco leads with 17%. Former advisor to British Prime Minister David Cameron and Fox News commentator Steve Hilton is second with 14%. Yes, he too is Republican. They account for 31% combined in the latest poll. Former Congresswoman Katie Porter is at 11%, Congressman Eric Swallwell is at 11%, rich guy who bombed for President Tom Steyer is at 8%, former HHS Secretary and House Democratic Leadership member Xavier Becerra is at 5%, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is at 3%, State Superintendent of Instruction Tony Thurmond is at 2%. Add them all up and you have 40%, which is underwhelming, but still considerably ahead of the Republicans, but not one of these silly candidates would move on to the general election. Look, in a sane world I’d want Becerra, then maybe Thurmond (because I literally know nothing about him), then Villaraigosa (total mess, but smokes the others), but why are all of these people running? What a joke. If at least three of them don’t drop out, there’s a decent chance of two Republicans advancing, and a lock of one of them.

This field isn’t inspiring, to say the least. Losing this race in the primary would be humiliating. While I’m not a fan of the top three, the bottom three should start to exit the stage relatively soon. Imagine losing this Governor’s race during this Presidency? What a clown show.