Thousands of California Democrats will gather this weekend to be courted by governor and potential presidential candidates, rage against Trump administration and will be organized for the 2026 election.
The two most famous democrats of the state – former Vice President Kamala Harris and governor Gavin Newson – will not attend the multi -day gathering of approximately 4,000 party delegates, activists, donors, labor leaders and other powerful voices in the largest democratic country.
Their absences are remarkable given speculation about their political future. Both Newsom and Harris are seen as potential presidential candidates in 2028. Harris may also jump into the California Governor race in 2026 and are expected to decide by the end of summer.
Both were invited to the Anaheim State Party Convention, according to the source. Harris is expected to send a video of greetings. Harris representatives did not respond to many requests for comment.
Newsom is expected to participate in the democratic governors of Asin. Gathering in Portland to coordinate efforts to combat Trump’s tariffs, a spokesman said. But the gathering begins until Sunday, the last day of the State Party Convention. The convention program includes a letter from the governor to the delegates.
Dari ancestral, veteran democratic strategist, said it was of little use or one who was present at the collection.
“There is no doubt that well -known, well -defined political figures such as the governor and a former vice president can be met with mixed reactions,” he said. “If I advised them, to be honest, I’m not sure I could come up with a justification for them. What is up?”
The prominent California Democrats routinely face a return reaction from the liberal delegates to the party’s annual conventions. The defenders of the fight against Fraking interrupted a speech by former governor Jerry Brown because of his support for the controversial practice of oil extraction, and the late Senator Diane Feinstein was raised during his speech in 1990 in support of the death penalty. Her then Gubernatorial campaign turned the last into a television advertisement aimed at the more moderate electorate of this era.
NEWSOM, once a favorite of such conventions, could possibly encounter similar falls among party loyalists because of recent statements to oppose transgender athletes who can compete in women’s sports, as well as exchange conservative characters like Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk.
If she is present, Harris may be criticized for complicity in hiding the alleged cognitive decline of former President Biden while he is in office, an accusation filed in a recent book claiming that the fraud led to Trump’s victory in 2024.
However, Harris has the luxury of time because he decides what to do in his political career. However, Harris’s delay in deciding on the governor competition has attracted contempt from some Democrats who have announced their applications.
Any prominent Democrats who announced a governor’s run is expected to attend the Convention.
Governor Lieutenant Eleni Kunalakis and SUPT state. Public training Tony Thurmond has official speaking roles, as they are currently serving in the selected service, as well as former state -owned controller Betty Yes, because she is the party’s deputy chairman.
Former President of the State Senate Pro Tony Tony Atkins, former US Secretary and Human Services Xavier Besera, businessman Stephen J. Clubk, former reporter Katie Porter and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villagosa will also hide the attendees.
Potential presidential candidates for 2028 Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and New Jersey Senator Corey Booker are also planned to talk to the delegates of the Democratic Party in California at the Anaheim Congress Center.
In addition to addressing delegates at Kakus meetings, such as labor, environmental, Latin American and voters, candidates will meet donors and court activists over the weekend. Social gatherings include a fireworks show on Friday night, social ice cream and a party entitled “The Punk System,” host the state democrats, as well as the powerful lobbies of nurses and teachers.
“Dance. Drink. A rage for democracy,” the invitation to gather said.
Applicants also host events – Yee offers “Healthy Break Bites” and coffee on Saturday morning. Cloobeck, a billionaire who has made his wealth in real estate and hospitality, plans this night with the theme “Fight for California, Celebrate CA DEMS!”
The long -time donor and fundraising for Democrats and Philanthropic causes has never been running for a selected position before. In his first introduction to state party activists, Clubk said he plans to focus on the 2024 election lessons and call on the Democrats not to be the tone of the deaf to the needs of the electorate.
“The party has to work for everyone,” Clubek said. “Can’t take care of special interests only or well -related persons.”
State Party President Rusty Hicks, who is expected to win the re -election of the Convention, said the California Democrats had reflected and considered the results of the election last year, “some good and some bad and some ugly.”
While the party was tossed by national trends, performing strongly in congressions, it also unexpectedly lost legislative places and declined to decline in turnout among Latinos, Asian Americans and young people, Hicks said.
“We can’t just compete in target places,” he said. “We have to compete everywhere in a different way. What happened in ’24 – good and bad – informs what our work is through ’26.”
The Times Taryn Luna employee in Sacramento contributed to this report.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.