Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

California Democrats Still Waiting For The Full Iowa Treatment From Presidential Candidates

  •  Ben Adler 
Sunday, November 17, 2019 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

Presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris speaks to reporters at this weekend’s California Democratic Party convention in Long Beach.

Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

When California moved its primary election up from June to March, backers hoped the nation’s biggest state would have more sway in nominating presidential candidates. But so far, the jury’s still out. 

Compared to the state party’s spring convention in San Francisco, the one this weekend in Long Beach was kind of a snoozer. Instead of rival crowds trying to out-shout each other, the chants were sporadic.

And in their individual interviews during a Univision town hall, the candidates didn’t focus much on California. 

“A woman beats Donald Trump every single day, and her name is Nancy Pelosi!” said Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, adding a rare shout-out to the state’s earlier primary: “We thank the sunny, Super Tuesday state of California for her!”

But two of the frontrunners, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden, were no-shows — Biden for the second straight convention.

And even though major candidates like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg did show up, with Sanders clearly drawing the largest crowd, California just hasn’t gotten the same attention as Iowa and New Hampshire.

To some Golden State Democrats, that’s not cool.

“Seems a bit unfair to have two states, three states, sort of dictate the way the election’s going to go,” said Los Angeles high school teacher Danny Colin. 

“Everyone wants to get to California in general, because this is where they raise their money,” said San Jose political activist Shay Franco-Clausen. “So, of course, they come here, right? It’s the piggy bank. But can I see them?”

Colin thinks the only solution is to shake up the primary and caucus order even more.

“I just feel like there should be more states, earlier states, bigger states,” he said. “That way it doesn’t feel like, ‘oh, it all comes down to this or that.’”

But Franco-Clausen hopes candidates and campaigns will learn to prioritize California — eventually.

“We wanted to lead, but we haven’t felt the impact of moving it forward,” she said. “It’s too soon. It’s the first time we’ve done it. So we really can’t tell. I think that maybe in the future, we’ll be able to see — was this a good idea?”

California counties start sending out vote-by-mail ballots in early February — the same day as the Iowa caucuses.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Scott Rodd / Capital Public Radio

    What Issues Matter This Election? We Spoke To California Democratic Party Delegates In Long Beach — And Residents Outside The State Convention Bubble.

    Monday, November 18, 2019
    CapRadio went to the California Democratic Party convention in Long Beach to learn what delegates wanted to hear from candidates — and how that compares to the needs of Californians outside the convention bubble.
  • Chris Carlson / AP Photo

    California Democrats Hold Party Convention Attracting Presidential Candidates

    Monday, November 18, 2019
    California Democrats convened in Long Beach over the weekend. Presidential candidates were the intended stars and this should have been their show. But, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff was there, too. CapRadio’s Ben Adler has a recap.

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

More Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Officials warn residents to stay out of California’s faster, colder river waters

May 24, 2023

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

City of Sacramento approves emergency home repair program for low-income homeowners

May 24, 2023

AP Photo/Tran Nguyen

Fentanyl bills advance at the California Legislature, but divisions on approach remain

May 26, 2023

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.