Eight Democrats and no front-runner: California’s governor race is a mess

It’s a highly unusual situation for a state where governor races have been dominated by figures like Gavin Newsom, Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Democratic leaders urged candidates to drop out of a crowded field. It fell flat. | Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

SACRAMENTO, California — Top Democrats passing on their state’s preeminent job. New candidates streaming in late. And a Republican upset threat so serious that the state Democratic Party pleaded with a fractured field to consolidate — and was promptly told to go pound sand.

Welcome to California’s most muddled gubernatorial race in a generation.

“It’s kind of a good news, bad news thing,” said former Sen. Barbara Boxer, who backs former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “The good news is people want to serve, and they’re very motivated by the issues, they think they can solve problems.”

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