Former State Controller Betty Yee on April 20 announced that she is withdrawing from the California gubernatorial race, citing poll numbers and lack of donors.
Yee’s campaign website described her as “one of California’s top experts on the state budget and government accountability. As former state budget director and state controller, Betty showed what competent, accountable government can do. She took on big corporations, fought discrimination in our tax code, and discovered more than $7 billion in improper spending, which she made sure went toward real progress.”
But in her announcement, Yee said, “What has changed is the whole notion that voters are looking for experience and competence is not a top priority — and that’s been really my wheelhouse. It really just came down to where I’m not going to have sufficient resources to get us to the finish line.”
After attending the AANHPI Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on April 18 in Los Angeles, she said that the forum “was more than about meeting voters where they are. It is about the next governor understanding the complexity of the diverse AANHPI community and the sustained challenges to access and opportunity.”
CAPA21, an Asian Pacific American political action committee, endorsed both Yee and Xavier Becerra, former U.S. health and human services secretary and former California attorney general.
“Betty Yee has a record defined by a fierce commitment to standing up for what’s right,” said CAPA21 Chair Tamlyn Tomita. “As California state controller, Betty used the full power of her office to champion economic justice for working people and defend our environment and natural resources. As the only AANHPI major candidate in the gubernatorial race, Betty is a role model and a success story, embodying the strength of our diverse AANHPI communities that make up approximately 18% of the state.”
Yee, 68, announced her intention to run in 2023. If elected, she would have been the first woman and first person of color to serve as California’s governor.
“I think one of the disappointments I will carry from this campaign is, where was my community?” Yee told KQED. “And I think we had an opportunity to make history. I did not see them there as I had robustly in the past with respect to my donors.”
She also said that voters seemed to be attracted to candidates who made splashier statements. “People want a personality. You have to either be the loudest, you have to have gimmicks, you gotta do what you gotta do to get attention. I got no gimmicks.”
Born to Chinese immigrant parents and raised in San Francisco, Yee graduated from Lowell High School and UC Berkeley, then earned a Master of Public Administration at Golden Gate University. She was Gov. Gray Davis’ chief deputy director for budget, then chief deputy to Board of Equalization member Carole Migden.
After being appointed to replace Migden, who was elected to the State Senate, Yee was elected to the Board of Equalization in 2006 and 2010. She was elected state controller in 2014 and served from Jan. 5, 2015 to Jan. 2, 2023. She was also vice chair of the California Democratic Party.
“Throughout nearly 40 years in public service, Betty has developed a unique reputation for competence, accountability, and a principled commitment to standing up for what’s right,” her campaign said.
Crowded Field
The field of candidates has been crowded, with eight Democrats, including Yee, and two Republicans on the ballot for the June 2 primary.
One of the leading contenders, Rep. Eric Swalwell, suspended his campaign on April 12 amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. While his withdrawal changed the dynamics of the race, it did not appear to benefit Yee.
Under the open primary system, voters can choose a candidate of any party and the top two finishers go to a runoff even if they belong to the same party. Democratic Party leaders have been urging lower-polling candidates to drop out, to prevent the Republican candidates, Fox News contributor Steve Hilton and Riverside county Sheriff Chad Bianco, from getting the most votes. Hilton has been endorsed by President Trump.
In addition to Becerra, the remaining Democratic candidates are San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; Katie Porter, former member of Congress representing Orange County; Tom Steyer, billionaire entrepreneur and former presidential candidate; Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of public instruction; and Antonio Villaraigosa, former Assembly speaker and former Los Angeles mayor.
A gubernatorial debate planned for March 24 at USC was canceled after the formula used to determine participants was criticized. Becerra, Thurmond, Villaraigosa and Yee were excluded on the basis of polling and fundraising data.
“We are a minority-majority state and the idea that the four candidates of color are not going to be on that stage to bring those perspectives to really speak to those communities — is really not doing right by the voters,’’ Yee said at the time.
After Yee’s withdrawal, Villaraigosa said, “California is better because of leaders like Betty Yee. Her decision to step away from the gubernatorial race marks the end of a campaign rooted in integrity, experience, and a deep commitment to public service. She has spent decades fighting for accountability and for working families, and that legacy will continue to shape this state long after this race is over.”
On April 21, Yee announced that she is endorsing Steyer.