Comedian and political commentator Jon Stewart launched a scathing critique of the Democratic Party this week, accusing it of selfishness during an interview with one of the leading candidates for California governor. Stewart made the remarks while hosting San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on Monday's edition of The Daily Show.
Warning Over Vote Splitting
Stewart directly told Mahan that the sheer number of Democrats competing for the position could ultimately damage their party's chances in the race. He explained that California's unique non-partisan primary system means voters will be forced to choose between eight Democrats and two Republicans.
'It's a great plan - and it so smacks of the Democratic Party to split the vote into such fractious fiefdoms that the only two people standing are the two Republicans,' an exasperated Stewart declared during the broadcast. 'So smart, so typical,' he added through a stifled laugh.
Candidate's Response
Mahan, who is among the competing Democrats, attempted to deflect with humour, joking that he 'jumped in' because 'undecided is still in first place.' The response appeared to confuse Stewart, who questioned why anyone would want to be Governor of California, calling it 'a disaster waiting to happen.'
The 43-year-old mayor, seemingly oblivious to the criticism, expressed satisfaction with his three years leading San Jose before promoting policy positions often associated with conservatives. 'We've reduced homelessness by about a third by building basic, dignified shelter, improving outreach, doing more prevention,' Mahan stated. 'We've hired police officers from our community, done a lot of community policing, and started to tackle quality of life, crime.'
Current Governor's Struggles
These are precisely the areas where current Governor Gavin Newsom, a two-term Democrat widely considered a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, has faced significant challenges. Newsom has yet to announce any plans for what follows his final year as governor.
Newsom previously served as California's lieutenant governor under two-time, two-term Governor Jerry Brown, who succeeded the state's last Republican governor, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in 2011. California last elected a conservative as governor back in 1990.
Party Concerns
Earlier this month, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks warned that the possibility of a Republican victory was steadily increasing. In a March 3 open letter to candidates like Mahan, Hicks urged candidates to 'honestly assess' their chances of winning.
'California’s leadership on the world stage is significantly harder if a Democrat is not elected as our next Governor,' Hicks wrote at the time. Only one Democrat has since withdrawn from the race.
Competitive Landscape
Progressives framed as frontrunners include Representative Eric Swalwell and billionaire activist Tom Steyer. Meanwhile, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and ex-Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco are the two conservatives who have declared their candidacy.
According to a poll released Wednesday from the UC Berkeley Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research, Hilton received support from 19 percent of likely voters, a number that would make him a surprise favourite. With the June primary rapidly approaching, California is preparing for a fierce contest where the final two candidates do not necessarily need to be Democrats, potentially validating Stewart's warnings about Democratic infighting.
