“I recognize my suggestions are hard for many to contemplate and may be even viewed as overly harsh by some.”

California state Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks in an open letter urging some Democrats with little chance of winning to drop out of the crowded race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. He warned that a splintered Democratic vote in California’s top-two primary system could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election, a scenario he argued could jeopardize the party’s chances of holding the governorship and influence downballot races nationwide. (Los Angeles Times)