SouthernWorldwide.com – California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has sharply criticized Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of “fear-mongering” after the governor hinted at a contingency plan to prevent Democrats from being excluded from the general election.
With California’s primary election just two weeks away, the state’s unique “jungle primary” system, where the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party affiliation, has raised concerns among both Democrats and Republicans about potential exclusion from the general election.
Governor Newsom voiced his apprehension about a Republican lockout last Thursday during a press conference. He stated that he has a “break the glass scenario” in place to ensure Democrats are not “locked out.”
“There are many people who have a deep understanding of what it would look like if Democrats were locked out, and we are going to do everything to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Newsom remarked, choosing to leave further details unsaid.
Hilton asserted that Newsom’s remarks were a strategic maneuver intended to divide Republican votes between himself and another Republican contender, Chad Bianco.
Current polling averages from RealClearPolitics indicate that Hilton is leading the field of candidates. Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra is closely following in second place, while Bianco trails in fourth.
Hilton argued that Newsom’s “ideal scenario” would be to have two Democrats compete in the general election. He suggested this would divert attention from Newsom’s “appalling record” as the governor reportedly considers a presidential run in 2028.
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In a video shared on X on Tuesday, Hilton urged his Republican opponent, Bianco, to withdraw from the race. This call was made in an effort to ensure that a Republican candidate secures a spot on the general election ballot.
Political strategists have acknowledged a legitimate concern shared by both major parties: the possibility of being excluded from the general election due to the jungle primary system. This system was implemented after voters approved it in a statewide referendum in 2010.
Political commentator and former Democratic State Senator Dario Frommer pointed to past races where open seats resulted in two candidates from the same party facing each other in the general election.
Frommer indicated that, based on current polling data, the top two vote-getters are likely to be Hilton, Becerra, and another Democratic candidate, Tom Steyer.
However, Frommer also cautioned that Democrats are not entirely in the clear regarding potential exclusion.
The fear of either party being sidelined in the upcoming general election has spurred Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio to initiate a ballot initiative campaign. The goal of this campaign is to abolish the jungle primary system, with a potential measure for voter consideration on the 2028 ballot.
“I believe that if two Republicans make it to the ballot, or if two Democrats make it to the ballot, then voter outrage will be significant, and that will solely highlight what a failed experiment this system is,” Maviglio commented on the jungle primary system.
