Former state Controller Betty Yee drops out of the governor's race
Los Angeles Times • • general
Key Points:
- Former California State Controller Betty Yee withdrew from the 2026 governor’s race due to low voter and donor support, despite her experience and competence being central to her campaign message.
- Yee highlighted the unpredictable nature of the race, affected by events such as Rep. Eric Swalwell’s withdrawal amid sexual assault allegations, and noted that voters currently favor more confrontational candidates against the Trump administration.
- Yee struggled to gain widespread recognition and financial backing in California's costly media markets, raising only about $583,000 for her campaign, and never polling above single digits.
- Although Yee's name remains on the ballot, she expressed concerns about the state's top-two primary system potentially allowing Republicans to advance if Democratic voters split their support, calling for the system's reform.
- As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Yee lamented the lack of robust support from Asian American donors and community members, and plans to analyze why her campaign did not resonate more strongly with these groups.
