Former State Controller Betty Yee Drops Out Of The Governor's Race

Former authorities Controller Betty Yee dropped retired of nan 2026 governor’s title connected Monday, citing debased levels of support from voters and donors.

Yee, a Democrat, was portion of a sprawling section of politicians vying to switch termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom. But contempt nan bevy of salient candidates moving to lead nan nation’s astir populous authorities and nan world’s fourth-largest economy, this year’s governor’s title has agelong lacked a clear front-runner good known by nan electorate.

“The full conception that voters are looking for acquisition and competence is not a apical priority, and that’s been really my wheelhouse successful position of really we grounded this run was based connected my experience,” she said successful a virtual property convention Monday morning. “The donors person felt nan chill of nan polling ... and it really conscionable came down to wherever I’m not going to person capable resources to get america to nan decorativeness line.”

The erstwhile two-term authorities controller did not instantly endorse different campaigner and said she would return a fewer days to measure nan section earlier making an announcement.

The race was upended earlier this period erstwhile then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, among nan starring Democrats successful nan race, was accused of intersexual battle and different misconduct. The East Bay Democrat, who is facing aggregate criminal investigations, promptly ended his gubernatorial bid and resigned from Congress.

Yee, 68, was good regarded by Democrats during her tenure successful Sacramento. And she highlighted her no-drama persona connected Thursday.

“California – had capable chaos, fearfulness and horrendous governmental scandals? Ready for calm, cool, collected change? Some whitethorn see that boring. But that’s nan point. We request Boring Betty,” Yee posted connected nan societal media tract X. “No crisis. No circus. Just competent, drama-free activity you tin trust. #BoringisBetter”

But she ne'er had nan financial resources to aggressively compete successful a authorities pinch galore of nan astir costly media markets successful nan nation.

Yee reported raising astir $583,000 for her gubernatorial bid successful 2025, according to run fundraising reports revenge pinch nan California Secretary of State’s office. Yee’s announcement that she is dropping retired of nan title came days earlier nan latest financial disclosures will beryllium publically reported.

Despite being elected to nan authorities Board of Equalization doubly and arsenic authorities controller twice, Yee was not wide known by astir Californians. She ne'er cracked double-digits successful gubernatorial polls.

Her sanction will still look connected nan ballot. She was among nan candidates who rebuffed state Democratic statement leaders petition earlier this twelvemonth to reconsider their viability amid fears that nan statement could beryllium unopen retired of nan November wide predetermination because of nan state’s unsocial superior system. The top-two vote-getters successful nan June superior will move onto to nan November wide election, sloppy of statement affiliation.

Though California’s electorate is overwhelmingly Democratic, nan make-up of nan gubernatorial section makes it statistically imaginable for Republicans to triumph nan top-two spots if Democratic voters splinter betwixt their party’s candidates. Yee said fearfulness of that script playing retired “kind of took over” nan gubernatorial race.

“Was it possible? Yes. Was it plausible? No, we’re successful California. That was not going to happen,” she said, adding that he apical 2 superior strategy should beryllium done distant with.

Still, Yee was beloved by Democratic statement activists, and antecedently served arsenic nan party’s vice chair.

No Democratic campaigner reached nan basal period to triumph nan party’s charismatic endorsement astatine its February convention, but Yee came 2nd pinch support from 17% of delegates contempt calls for her to driblet retired of nan race.

“Every canvass shows that this title is wide open, and I cognize this party,” she said successful an question and reply astatine nan convention. “Frankly, I’ve been successful positions wherever it’s been a crowded field, and we activity difficult and candidates emerge.”

The gubernatorial superior will return spot connected June 2, though voters will commencement receiving message ballots successful astir 2 weeks.