Top California Democrat urges change to ‘free-for-all’ primary to keep governor’s mansion blue
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks is calling for the repeal or revision of the state's 'top-two' open primary system, arguing it risks splitting the Democratic vote and allowing Republicans to win statewide office. He warns that a crowded field of Democratic candidates could enable two Republicans to advance to the general election, threatening Democratic control of the governor's office. Hicks has previously urged low-polling Democrats to drop out, but his push for systemic change has not yet drawn broad support from top party figures.
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Rusty Hicks, the California Democratic party chair, in Anaheim last year. Photograph: Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenRusty Hicks, the California Democratic party chair, in Anaheim last year. Photograph: Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times/Getty ImagesCaliforniaTop California Democrat urges change to ‘free-for-all’ primary to keep governor’s mansion blueRusty Hicks concerned that Democrats could crowd each other out in ‘open’ system and hand victory to RepublicansAndrew Gumbel in Los AngelesFri 1 May 2026 09.00 EDTLast modified on Fri 1 May 2026 09.13 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe chair of the California Democratic party says he wants to get rid of the state’s idiosyncratic “open primary”, calling it a failure that risks pitting a crowded field…
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