(DCNF)—Democratic strategist Doug Schoen said Tuesday that Republicans could gain an advantage in the California governor’s race.
Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign on Sunday after multiple sexual misconduct allegations surfaced, including claims from a staffer that he engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. Following Swalwell’s decision, Schoen said on “The Ingraham Angle” that Republicans could potentially advance two GOP candidates to the November general election.
“There could be two Republicans in November if [Tom] Steyer continues not to take off, hence the Democrats trying to winnow the field down to two or three people so the party advantage would come through in June,” Schoen told host Laura Ingraham.
Schoen said that left-wing billionaire Tom Steyer’s financial strength and a weak Democratic field could reshape the race in Republicans’ favor.
“Steyer has proven in both the presidential race in 2020 and now [that] he’ll spend unlimited sums. There is an opening. There is no Democrat who’s credible, who’s better than 10, 11%. So I think Steyer is the likely heir apparent, and there is a real fear,” Schoen said.
Steyer spent about $250 million of his own money on his 2020 presidential campaign, funding a massive advertising blitz across early primary states like South Carolina. His spending made him one of the biggest self-funders in modern U.S. elections, but he failed to win any delegates and dropped out after the South Carolina primary.
March 2026 polling in the California governor’s race showed a fragmented Democratic field, with Swalwell leading at 17% and Steyer trailing at 11%, while no Democrat reached 20% support. The same poll showed Republican Steve Hilton leading the GOP field at 13% with Chad Bianco close behind at 11%.
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