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California Democrats are reportedly nervous about the possibility that the wild card primary could send two Republicans to the November election, a situation Sheriff County Sheriff Chad Bianco told Fox News Digital that is the result of “decades of Democrat failure.”
The New York Post reported that Democratic lawmakers are privately warning that a crowded and “lackluster” field of candidates could split the vote in California’s two-party primary, allowing Republicans to advance to a two-person race in a state dominated by Democrats.
One Democratic state legislator described the situation as a “show of sh**,” and another criticized party leadership for doing little to unite the sector, according to the Post. Under California’s system, only the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election.
A poll cited by the Post shows former Fox News anchor Steve Hilton leading with 17% support, followed by Bianco with 14%. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., also polled at 14%, while former Rep. Katie Porter at 12% and billionaire Tom Steyer at 9%.
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Former Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco didn’t mince words during his remarks at the weekend’s California Democratic Party convention, calling the platform “indefensible” in an interview with Fox News Digital. (Getty Images)
The concern comes as Democrats gather this weekend in San Francisco for the party’s state convention, where candidates are expected to make their case to party activists ahead of the June primary.
Nancy Pelosi took the stage with gubernatorial hopefuls Swalwell and Porter at the Moscone Center.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa dismissed the possibility of two Republicans advancing.
“At the end of the day, everybody has a right to run,” Villaraigosa told the Post. “The idea that two Republicans can win [the primary] poppycock.”
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Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Bianco disputed that assessment.
“Yeah, yeah, I think it’s amazing that they’re freaking out about that, and they don’t realize that it’s because of decades of total Democrat failure,” Bianco told Fox News Digital.
“It’s not the lack of a Democratic candidate, it’s the lack of Democratic policy that they can show has helped California. Democrat policy is indefensible for California.”
In response to Villaraigosa’s dismissal, Bianco pointed to polling trends.
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California Congressman Eric Swalwell raises his hand before speaking at the California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
“It is clear that the voting contradicts that statement,” he said. “Two Republicans have been leading the polls for the past six months.”
Bianco said he believes voter sentiment is changing widely.
“California is looking for change. They want honesty, integrity, transparency, and leadership,” he said. “And that is why they are looking for me to be their next governor.”
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The California Democratic Party did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
It is not yet clear which of the eight Democratic Alliance gubernatorial candidates will receive the official nomination of the party that leaves the convention this weekend.
The New York Post reported that Democrats fear a split in the popular vote could allow Republicans to hold both top seats, a scenario that would put a Republican in the governor’s office for the first time since Arnold Schwarzenegger left in 2011.
