Newsom says Dems have 'break-the-glass' contingency plan for California gov's race
The governor said a Democratic lock-out in top-two gubernatorial primary is unlikely.
Gavin Newsom said he’s confident at least one Democrat will advance from California’s June gubernatorial primary, hinting at a “break-the-glass” contingency plan as he declined — yet again — to endorse in the race.
The California governor, speaking at his budget presentation on Thursday, said that rather than pick a candidate, he has focused on ensuring that Democrats are not locked out of the primary, in which the top-two vote getters regardless of party go on to the general election.
“I do not see that scenario taking place,” he said.
Newsom said there was a “break-the-glass” contingency plan to prevent that from happening, and alluded to behind-the-scenes efforts to rally people. He did not specify his activities, but the Democratic Governors Association recently began sending mail highlighting Republican Steve Hilton as a fierce conservative. The ostensible opposition campaign could drive GOP voters to Hilton, ensuring he consolidates the party’s voters and saps the support of the other Republican candidate, Chad Bianco, enough to keep him from finishing in the top two.
“There are many people who have a deep understanding of what it would look like if Democrats were locked out,” Newsom said.
Newsom, a likely presidential contender, said the field is full of “a lot of good Democrats I’ve worked with for years and years and years on the ballot making their case.” And he commiserated with them about the frustration of having an incumbent governor stay neutral in the race.
“I was in a similar position with a similar stubborn governor that refused to get involved,” Newsom said, recalling his 2018 gubernatorial run when incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown refrained from endorsing. “I developed tremendous animus towards him, and now I offer forgiveness.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/14/newsom-democratic-lock-out-california-contingency-plan-00921723