California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer speaks to supporters after a news conference on Thursday in San Francisco. He is proposing a ballot measure that would exempt commercial property from tax limitations in Proposition 13.

California’s gubernatorial race is growing increasingly absurd. 

Progressives are accusing San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who recently jumped into the electoral fray, of being a pawn of the tech billionaires donating heavily to his campaign. Yet some of these same critics of extreme wealth, seemingly oblivious to the irony, are endorsing actual billionaire Tom Steyer, who appears to be solidifying his position as a progressive favorite as he courts the favor of labor unions. 

These contradictions will define the California Democratic Party convention, which began Friday in San Francisco. Ironically, so many Democrats are running for governor that none are expected to achieve enough support to secure the nomination — sharpening concerns that two Republicans could end up advancing to the November general election. 

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There was even more irony on Thursday when Steyer held a news conference with labor supporters to call for a future ballot measure to increase property taxes on wealthy corporations. 

The location? The ritzy One Hotel San Francisco on the Embarcadero, where even basic rooms can go for as much as $1,000 a night. 

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It was too juicy for me not to check out the scene. But as I headed to the event after hopping off Muni, I was suddenly confronted by a woman ahead of me on the sidewalk, who appeared to be homeless. Out of nowhere, she turned to scream at me — and flung the liquid contents of the container she was carrying across my face. 

I stood there for a moment, too stunned even to speak —........

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