California dysfunction puts backlash on the ballot

"COVID and last year's catastrophic fires have transformed long-simmering frustration with California governance into a visceral public indictment of the people running the state - one now playing out in the races for governor and Los Angeles mayor."

"In the governor's race, no Democrat has emerged as a credible heir to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), whose eight years in office will shadow his march to the White House."

"Billionaire Tom Steyer is the unlikely progressive darling of the field, having spent at least $132 million of his own fortune to position himself as the most left-wing candidate in the race."

"Republicans remain massive underdogs statewide, but they have a plausible path to qualifying for California's top-two general election."

Long-simmering frustration with California governance has intensified after COVID and catastrophic fires, producing a visceral public indictment of state leadership. In the governor’s race, no Democrat has emerged as a credible successor to Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose eight years will shape the political landscape. Xavier Becerra has risen to the Democratic frontrunner position after Eric Swalwell exited amid sexual assault allegations. Tom Steyer has spent at least $132 million to position himself as the most left-wing candidate. Katie Porter and Matt Mahan remain in single digits, while Silicon Valley donors have backed Mahan as an alternative. Republicans remain statewide underdogs but have a plausible path to reaching the top-two general election, led by Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco. The Los Angeles mayor race mirrors the fury, with Karen Bass facing survival pressure after devastating fires and Spencer Pratt attacking Bass and city leaders.

Read at Axios