Gray Davis Urges Candidates to Stay in Gubernatorial Race

The former governor of California expressed his opposition to the idea of Democratic candidates with low approval ratings stepping aside in this year’s gubernatorial race—even if it means the party might not have a candidate in the final round.

Gray Davis, who served as governor from 1999 to 2003, believes candidates should resist the pressure from the state Democratic Party to withdraw.

The party’s strategy aims to consolidate votes around the candidate who garners the most support in the June primary.

“Quite a few people suggested I drop out,” he noted in a conversation with “Inside California Politics” on Saturday. “That surely stoked the flames. I focused on working smarter rather than harder and, after taking some breaks, I ended up winning pretty convincingly.”

Interestingly, the last time California’s gubernatorial race saw such intense competition was during Davis’ own campaign in 1998.

Despite being at the bottom of the polls, he ultimately overcame the two leading candidates, achieving a remarkable victory.

The current political landscape mirrors the crowded Democratic field of that earlier time, with numerous candidates struggling for recognition.

Three Democrats are currently near the top of the polls, but others include former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Secretary of State Betty Yee, state Public Instruction Director Tony Thurmond, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

With so many candidates splitting the Democratic vote, polls suggest that the top two Republican candidates—Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco—might emerge as the frontrunners in June.

If this occurs, only those two would make it onto the ballot in November, leading top pollster Paul Mitchell to suggest that Democrats have valid concerns.

Despite potential outcomes, Davis emphasized that candidates should follow their instincts regarding their campaigns.

“It might be fine for someone to suggest you exit, but that isn’t their place,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “You’re a candidate. If you feel the need to continue for any reason, go ahead and stay in the race.”

He pointed out that remaining active in the campaign can help candidates seize unexpected opportunities, similar to those seen in 1998.

Davis advised that candidates should consider narrowing their focus and consolidating support among donors in a natural way.

While he isn’t endorsing any candidates this year, he did mention he is friends with both Yee and Villaraigosa, who currently hold low approval ratings of 1% and 4%, respectively.