open primary system
Coverage of open primary system in the Nexus archive.
- Who is Steve Hilton, the Briton who could become California’s next governor?
Steve Hilton, a British national who has worked in Conservative party politics in the UK, has secured a spot in California’s November gubernatorial run-off against Xavier Becerra. The challenge involves competing as a Republican in a state with strong Democratic leanings under California’s open primary system.
- Democratic Socialist Overcomes GOP-Funded Opponent to Advance in Los Angeles Mayor Race
Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, advanced to the general election against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass after defeating right-wing reality TV star Spencer Pratt in the open primary. The nonpartisan primary system led to a runoff between two Democrats, with Raman overcoming an initial lead by Pratt, who received conservative funding. The left faces internal divisions over strategies to counter Pratt and repair fractures ahead of the November election.
- Top California Democrat urges change to ‘free-for-all’ primary to keep governor’s mansion blue
The chair of the California Democratic Party, Rusty Hicks, criticizes the state's 'open primary' system, arguing it risks Democrats competing against each other and enabling a Republican victory in the governor's race. He calls for reform or repeal of the system, which he claims is a failure.