KQED's The California Report No Consensus From Labor Unions On Gubernatorial Candidates
Jan 22, 2026
Guy Marzorati, a KQED politics correspondent, dives into the intricacies of the California gubernatorial race. He discusses why powerful labor unions remain undecided on a candidate despite the narrowing field. Marzorati reveals the impact of split support within unions, suggesting they might unite against an unpopular candidate. He also highlights specific endorsements from unions and the role of external funding in shaping the race. It's a deep dive into the dynamics of politics and organized labor in California.
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Labor's Kingmaker Role Is Unsettled
- Organized labor remains undecided in the 2026 California governor's race despite its historic kingmaker role.
- Multiple candidates hold labor ties, preventing a clear coalescence behind one contender.
Unions Deliver Money And Muscle
- Major unions provide both large spending power and unmatched volunteer turnout for campaigns.
- Labor endorsements have historically produced the top Democratic primary winners in California.
Feinstein's 1990 Exception
- Guy Marzorati recounts a historical exception when Dianne Feinstein won the 1990 Democratic primary without labor's consensus.
- That example illustrates how rare it is for a Democrat to win without broad union backing.