The California Democratic Celebration’s premiere occasion can have two notable no-shows

Hundreds of California Democrats will collect this weekend to be courted by gubernatorial and potential presidential candidates, rage in opposition to the Trump administration and arrange for the 2026 election.

Nevertheless, the state’s two most outstanding Democrats — former Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Gavin Newson — won’t be attending the multiday gathering of roughly 4,000 celebration delegates, activists, donors, labor leaders and different highly effective voices within the largest Democratic state within the nation, in accordance with a supply acquainted with the occasion’s planning.

Their absences are notable given hypothesis about their political futures. Newsom and Harris are each considered as potential 2028 presidential candidates. Harris additionally might soar into California’s 2026 race for governor, and is predicted to decide by the top of the summer time.

Each have been invited to the state celebration conference in Anaheim, in accordance with the supply. Harris is predicted to ship a video greeting attendees. Harris representatives didn’t reply to a number of requests for remark.

Newsom is scheduled to take part in a Democratic Governors’ Assn.’ gathering in Portland to coordinate efforts to battle Trump’s tariffs, a spokesperson stated. However the gathering doesn’t start till Sunday, the ultimate day of the state celebration conference. A letter from the governor to delegates is included within the conference program.

Darry Sragow, a veteran Democratic strategist, stated there was little profit to both one attending the gathering.

“There’s no query that well-known, well-defined political figures just like the governor and former vp may very well be met with combined reactions,” he stated. “If I used to be advising them, I’m truthfully undecided I may provide you with a justification for his or her going. What’s the upside?”

Distinguished California Democrats have routinely confronted backlash from liberal delegates on the celebration’s annual conventions. Anti-fracking advocates interrupted a speech by former Gov. Jerry Brown over his help for the controversial oil extraction observe and the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein was booed throughout her 1990 speech supporting the loss of life penalty. Her then-gubernatorial marketing campaign turned the latter right into a tv commercial aimed toward that period’s extra reasonable voters.

Newsom, as soon as a darling at such conventions, may presumably face comparable fallout amongst celebration loyalists due to latest statements about opposing transgender athletes being allowed to compete in ladies’s sports activities in addition to bantering with conservative heroes equivalent to Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk on his podcast.

If she attended, Harris may very well be criticized for complicity in hiding former President Biden’s alleged cognitive decline whereas in workplace, an allegation lodged in a latest ebook that argues that deception led to Trump’s 2024 victory.

Nevertheless, Harris has the luxurious of time as she decides what to do subsequent in her political profession. Harris’ delay in making a call concerning the gubernatorial contest, nevertheless, has drawn scorn from some Democrats who’ve introduced their candidacies.

Each outstanding Democrat who has introduced a gubernatorial run is predicted to attend the conference.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and state Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have official talking roles as a result of they at present serve in elected workplace, as does former state Controller Betty Yee as a result of she is the celebration’s vice chair.

Former state Senate President Professional Tem Toni Atkins, former U.S. Secretary of Well being and Human Companies Xavier Becerra, businessman Stephen J. Cloobeck, former Rep. Katie Porter and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa may even be wooing attendees.

Potential 2028 presidential candidates Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and N.J. Sen. Cory Booker are additionally scheduled to talk to California Democratic Celebration delegates on the Anaheim Conference Middle.

Along with addressing delegates at caucus conferences, equivalent to labor, environmental, Latino and ladies voters, candidates will meet with donors and courtroom activists all through the weekend. Social gatherings embrace a Friday night time fireworks present, an ice cream social and a celebration titled “Punk the System” hosted by state Democrats in addition to the highly effective nurses’ and lecturers’ lobbies.

“Dance. Drink. Rage for Democracy,” reads the invite to the gathering.

Candidates are additionally internet hosting occasions — Yee is providing “wholesome breakfast bites” and low on Saturday morning. Cloobeck, a billionaire who made his fortune in actual property and hospitality, is planning a reception that night time with the theme “Battle for California, Have fun CA Dems!”

The longtime donor and fundraiser for Democrats and philanthropic causes has by no means beforehand run for elected workplace. In his first introduction to state celebration activists, Cloobeck stated he plans to give attention to classes from the 2024 election and urging Democrats to not be tone deaf to the voters’s wants.

“The celebration ought to work for everybody,” Cloobeck stated. “It may’t cater to solely particular pursuits or well-connected people.”

State celebration chairman Rusty Hicks, who’s extensively anticipated to win reelection on the conference, stated California Democrats have mirrored and reckoned with final yr’s election outcomes, “some good and a few dangerous and a few ugly.”

Whereas the celebration bucked nationwide developments by performing strongly in congressional races, it additionally unexpectedly misplaced legislative seats and noticed a decline in voter turnout amongst Latinos, Asian People and younger folks, Hicks stated.

“We are able to’t simply compete in focused seats,” he stated. “We’ve got to compete all over the place differently. What occurred in ‘24 — the nice and the dangerous — informs what our work is in ‘26.”

Occasions employees author Taryn Luna in Sacramento contributed to this report.