A Sham Disguised As Democracy.
California likes to talk big about democracy, but let’s be honest—the Top-Two Primary is a giant middle finger to voters. Designed to look fair, it actually ensures Democrats dominate almost every race, leaving anyone outside the party with a snowball’s chance in hell. As Gavin Newsom’s term winds down, the fallout from this rigged system is hitting voters harder than ever. Two Democrats on the ballot in your district? Don’t bother showing up—your choice doesn’t matter.
Real Voters, Fake Choices
The Top-Two Primary promises competition but delivers a joke. In districts dominated by Democrats, Republicans are locked out before the general election even begins. In conservative areas, Democrats are often excluded. The result? Millions of Californians are forced to pick between two candidates who mostly represent the same ideology. That’s not democracy—that’s political theater, and the audience is paying for it.
Newsom And The Party Machine Win, Every Time
Let’s call it what it is: this system exists to protect insiders. Gavin Newsom and his Democratic allies have built a fortress around their power. Incumbents sail through primaries, challengers are blocked by party dominance, and the voters? They’re left scratching their heads. Political apathy skyrockets, trust in government erodes, and yet the machine keeps rolling, greasing the wheels for party loyalists at the expense of everyone else.
The Myth Of “Moderation”
Supporters argue the Top-Two system produces “moderate” candidates who appeal to more voters. That’s nonsense. Candidates who advance are often the most party-approved, not the most voter-friendly. Instead of moderation, the system produces clones: politicians who echo the party line and ignore constituents. Voters are promised choice but handed party puppets. The system doesn’t moderate politics—it smothers it.
Californians Are Being Cheated
This isn’t about politics—it’s about fairness. Every Californian deserves a real choice, a real chance to elect someone who reflects their values. Instead, the Top-Two Primary mathematically favors Democrats and punishes anyone who dares to think differently. Until this system is overhauled, millions of Californians will continue to be ignored, manipulated, and frustrated while party insiders cash in.
Democrats’ Strategic Use Of The Top-Two System
Examining how prominent Democrats have leveraged the top-two system to influence their preferred matchups becomes clearer when looking at recent cases.
In the 2024 U.S. Senate contest, Senator Adam Schiff invested more in promoting Republican Steve Garvey than Garvey spent on his own campaign, running ads that positioned him as the Republican opponent Schiff most wanted to face, effectively preventing Katie Porter from reaching the runoff.
Similarly, during his re-election bid, Governor Newsom launched early advertisements highlighting State Senator Brian Dahle, shaping his eventual November challenger, a conservative senator from California’s far north.
The current scenario differs in that no figure like Schiff or Newsom is present, no well-known Democrat with widespread recognition and massive fundraising capacity. Still, the presence of at least one billionaire candidate means that strategic spending by wealthy contenders could significantly influence the race.
Bottom Line: Time For A Reality Check
California loves to call itself progressive, but the Top-Two Primary is proof that progressive rhetoric can mask shameless partisanship. As Newsom’s term ends, it’s clear: the system needs reform, not more excuses. Until that happens, voters are trapped in a rigged game with fake choices, hollow promises, and a political class that couldn’t care less. Democracy deserves better—and Californians deserve to be heard.
We are so screwed.
— Steve
