Trending Now - Proposed Rule Change Could Alter California Governor Primary Dynamics
WHO:
Newsweek - Rep. Eric Swalwell exited the gubernatorial race after multiple women accused him of various forms of rape and sexual misconduct.
Newsweek - Billionaire Tom Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Rep. Katie Porter, and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra are among the remaining Democratic candidates.
New York Post - Political consultant Steve Maviglio filed a petition with state officials.
New York Post - Steve Hilton is a British-American conservative political commentator and Fox News contributor.
New York Post - Chad Bianco is a US law enforcement officer and has served as sheriff of Riverside County, California, since 2019.
New York Post - Arnold Schwarzenegger was the last Republican governor of California, serving from 2003 to 2011.
Newsweek - Democrat Xavier Becerra leads the race according to betting markets.
WHAT:
Newsweek - Steve Maviglio filed an application to state officials on Friday seeking a return to the traditional primary system.
New York Post - A petition has been filed to change California's primary system back to a traditional format where separate primaries are held for each party.
New York Post - The current "jungle primary" system allows the top two candidates, regardless of party, to advance to the general election.
New York Post - Early polls indicate that Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, both Republicans, are leading in the race to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.
New York Post - Proposition 14, which created the current top-two primary system, was approved by California voters with 54% support.
WHERE:
New York Post - The events are taking place in California.
WHEN:
New York Post - The primary election is scheduled for June.
WHY:
Newsweek - Maviglio expressed concern that the large field of well-known Democrats could split their party’s vote, potentially allowing two Republicans to advance to the general election.
New York Post - The current primary system is viewed as favoring Democrats in statewide races, with nearly 50% of registered voters being Democrats compared to roughly 25% combined independents and Republicans.
New York Post - Maviglio expressed concern about the prospect of a general election featuring two Republican candidates, stating, “It was extremely scary to envision the November ballot for governor with Republicans on it.”
New York Post - Supporters of the change argue that the current system is undemocratic and corrupts the electoral process.
HOW:
Newsweek - The application to change the primary system was filed with state officials on a Friday.
New York Post - The petition to change the primary system was filed with state officials.
(UPDATED May 12, 2026 04:14 UTC)
Rep. Eric Swalwell has exited the gubernatorial race following multiple accusations of rape and sexual misconduct from various women. Meanwhile, billionaire Tom Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Rep. Katie Porter, and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra remain in the running as Democratic candidates. In a related move, Steve Maviglio has filed an application with state officials seeking a return to the traditional primary system, citing concerns that the crowded field of Democrats could split the vote and allow two Republicans to advance to the general election.
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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 23:22 UTC)
Political consultant Steve Maviglio has filed a petition with state officials in California to revert the primary system back to a traditional format, where separate primaries are held for each party. This comes as early polls show Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco leading in the race to replace termed-out Governor Gavin Newsom, with the primary election scheduled for June. Advocates for the change argue that the current "jungle primary" system, which allows the top two candidates to advance regardless of party, is undemocratic and favors Democrats in statewide races.