By And WaltersCalMatters
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Irish playwright Samuel Beckett’s tragicomedy “Waiting for Godot” facilities on two males, Vladimir and Estragon, who hope, in useless, that the arrival of a mysterious man named Godot will carry which means to their in any other case depressing lives.
It’s thought of to be an ideal instance of Europe’s post-World Conflict fascination with what was termed the “theater of the absurd.” That is why it leaps to thoughts when one considers the dynamics of the ever-growing cadre of Democratic candidates for governor in 2026.
As their numbers increase, they’re ready for former Vice President Kamala Harris to inform the world whether or not she’s going to attempt to maintain her political profession alive by searching for the governorship.
Harris is outwardly keen, ala Godot, to maintain them ready. Politico has reported {that a} month in the past, at a pre-Oscars social gathering, she informed supporters that she gained’t declare her intentions till late summer season.
The uncertainty about her intentions impacts what different hopefuls can do within the interim, reminiscent of elevating marketing campaign cash. The massive Democratic spenders, reminiscent of unions, the leisure business and Silicon Valley, are additionally ready, leery about making commitments to different candidates till Harris decides.
It’s additionally evident that the lesser candidates, these little identified and missing deep-pocket assist, reminiscent of former state Senate chief Toni Atkins, state faculties Superintendent Tony Thurmond and former state Controller Betty Yee, would in all probability drop out if Harris runs.
However how about those that, within the absence of Harris, could be credible aspirants, reminiscent of Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congressmember Katie Porter and, most not too long ago, former Legal professional Basic Xavier Becerra?
Kounalakis and Porter have dropped hints that they’d defer to Harris, however Villaraigosa has indicated he would nonetheless run and Becerra, in asserting his candidacy this week, declared he’s in it to remain.
The state’s top-two major system performs a major function in how the sphere finally types. Though polls point out that Harris could be the frontrunner within the June major, one other Democrat might hope to complete second and thereby qualify for a runoff in November by which Republican and impartial voters might be decisive.
Nevertheless, a crowded Democratic discipline that might fragment Democratic major voters would additionally improve the chance {that a} Republican, reminiscent of Riverside Sheriff Chad Biancowould end second.
That scenario, as previous elections have proven, offers the Democratic nominee an enormous benefit to win the governorship, given the state’s lopsided Democratic voter registration.
We noticed that situation final 12 months when Congressman Adam Schiff not directly helped Republican Steve Garvey end second within the major duel for a U.S. Senate seat, freezing out Katie Porter. It might occur to her once more subsequent 12 months, had been she to stay within the gubernatorial race and the Harris marketing campaign emulates Schiff’s tactic to assist Bianco or another Republican end second.
A runoff between Harris and one other Democrat might be a check of her marketing campaign capability within the wake of stumbling badly in her 2019 bid for the presidency and once more final 12 months after being tapped by Democratic leaders to tackle Donald Trump after they compelled Joe Biden out of a re-election bid.
California’s voters have been in a restive temper of late, involved about ever-rising dwelling prices, particularly for housing, the state’s seemingly intractable homelessness disaster and crime. Final 12 months’s passage of Proposition 36a measure to crack down on criminals, regardless of opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom and different Democratic leaders, is one indication of voters’ bitter temper.
A Democratic candidate who exploits that angst and appeals to Republican and impartial voters might mount a severe marketing campaign in opposition to Harris — ought to she resolve to run.
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