Kyle Langford is in the mix of Democratic candidates in California’s crowded 2026 gubernatorial race as party leaders warn the field is too large. California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks urged lower-polling candidates to reassess or drop out ahead of the filing deadline to avoid splitting the vote under the state’s top-two primary system. That push largely failed, with most candidates staying in the race and only Ian Calderon dropping out and endorsing Eric Swalwell.