The debate marks a critical test for the top six remaining candidates as they jockey for position in a wide-open field, with no clear front-runner and Democratic voters still fractured. It also offers the first real glimpse of how the field is recalibrating in the wake of Swalwell’s departure, from competing for his supporters to drawing sharper policy contrasts.
With the race newly unsettled, the debate could provide momentum to a breakout contender or further underscore just how fluid the path to succeeding Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) remains. The outgoing governor, who is expected to run for president in 2028, is term-limited. He has been reluctant to throw his support behind a candidate, despite being urged by party supporters to step in or at least impose some order in a race that risks turning chaotic.
Sacramento insiders told the Washington Examiner that there has been a pressure campaign for Newsom to step in, but any move
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