Betty Yee, a former California state controller, suspended her campaign for governor on Monday, citing insufficient donor support. Yee, who sought to become the state’s first female governor, withdrew from the race just over a week after fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell left the contest following sexual assault allegations he denies.
Yee’s exit underscores the challenge lesser-known candidates face in California’s expensive media landscape, where fundraising is essential to reaching voters across the vast state. Her departure leaves the Democratic primary as crowded as before, with Democrats facing the risk that multiple candidates could split the vote and allow both nominees to be Republicans.
Escalating Exits
Yee’s withdrawal is the second major Democratic departure in as many weeks. Swalwell, who had placed among the leading contenders in the race, exited the contest roughly a week earlier. His departure reordered the primary calculus, but Yee’s did not. Having languished at the bottom of the field with minimal voter support, her exit is unlikely to reshape the race’s dynamics.
The Media Market Barrier
California’s gubernatorial candidates face an unusual challenge: the state’s media markets rank among the costliest in the nation. Without substantial advertising budgets, candidates cannot build name recognition across the sprawling state. Yee’s insufficient fundraising made it impossible to close that gap.
“It was becoming clear that the donors were not going to be there,” Yee said in a Monday online news conference. “Even some of my former supporters just felt like they needed to move on.”
The Primary’s Crowded Field
The race to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom encompasses more than 50 candidates across both parties. Six established Democrats and two leading Republicans have emerged as the contest’s main contenders. Mail ballots are scheduled to be sent to voters in early May, and the primary election is set for June 2.
Although Yee suspended her campaign, her name will remain on the ballot — candidates cannot be removed once balloting materials are prepared.
Democratic Concerns About Fragmentation
The Democratic Party’s large slate of candidates raises a critical concern: under California’s unique primary system, only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party. If both nominees turn out to be Republicans, Democrats would be effectively shut out of the November contest.
Late March and early April polling by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California showed Democrats Tom Steyer and Katie Porter and Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, along with Swalwell, competing in a close cluster. Polling was conducted before Swalwell’s withdrawal. Other candidates trailed in the survey.