CALIFORNIA—The California GOP announced on May 6 they would not endorse a candidate for Governor. If a candidate managed to snag at least 60 percent of the votes at the Republican Party Convention in San Diego would have captured the party’s endorsement. The top contenders were unable to reach that threshold, leaving the California GOP without a candidate to support before the primary election on Tuesday, June 5.
The candidates in the race include businessman John Cox, and Assemblyman Travis Allen. Cox has spent over $4 million in his campaign and has the leading edge with 55.3 percent of the vote. Allen has spent less money, and has received 40.5 percent of the vote.
Matt Shupe, a spokesman for Cox expressed disappointment in the news. “As someone who worked hard on this, I’m obviously disappointed,” said Shupe.
“However, this does not stall our campaign one bit. We have the resources to move forward and take the fight to the Democrats. Travis Allen has no pathway without this endorsement,” Shupe added.
Allen’s campaign was enthusiastic about the news. “We’re ecstatic. The bottom line is John Cox with his Chicago money tried to buy California votes,” said Allen. He indicated that his team will be sending more than 13 million mailers to GOP voters’ next week.
“We are going to go and take our message across the state of California, and we’re going to take our state back and I’m going to win,” said Allen.
A Republican has not been voted into a state-wide office in over 10 years.
