California Democrats unite against Trump, differ on vision for state's future - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Nicole Nixon, Seema Mehta

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The California Democratic Party convened in San Francisco for its annual convention, revealing deep divisions within the party despite a unified front against President Trump. While all candidates agree on the need to combat rising costs such as housing, healthcare, and utilities, they offered vastly different approaches to solving these issues. Progressive candidates like Katie Porter and Tom Steeyer pushed left with ambitious plans for free childcare, tuition-free college, and new taxes on billionaires, while others, such as Matt Mahan, criticized Sacramento’s budget without tangible improvements and positioned themselves in the partisan middle. The race remains uncertain heading into the June primary, with no candidate securing the 60% endorsement needed. Eric Swalwell emerged with the most support, earning 24% of delegate votes, but the lack of a clear winner underscores the party’s fractured priorities. Other notable figures like Betty Yee and Xavier Becerra also received significant backing, highlighting the competitive field. Meanwhile, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reaffirmed the party’s focus on winning back control of the U.S. House in the midterms, emphasizing its importance for combating Trump’s policies. The convention also featured a tribute to Pelosi as she nears the end of her tenure and showed unity behind Scott Wiener, a candidate aiming to become the first openly gay person representing San Francisco in Congress. Despite this cohesion at higher levels, the gubernatorial race remains a battleground for the party’s future direction. The stakes are high, as California faces growing challenges with rising living costs and homelessness, while also maintaining its status as a key Democratic stronghold. This internal strife within the California Democrats matters because it could impact the party’s ability to effectively challenge Trump in the White House and address critical state issues. With the midterms approaching and the gubernatorial race heating up, the outcome of these internal debates will shape not only California’s political landscape but also its influence on national policies.

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/22/2026