California is one of the bluest states in America, but Democrats are more on edge this election season because of uncertainty and volatility in key races, such as the governor’s race and the Los Angeles mayoral race. 

“There is a reasonable prospect that a Republican might have a chance of winning the governor’s race,” California Post opinion editor Joel Pollak explained.

This year, Californians are a little more willing to deviate from the status quo, because “of chronic problems that have simply become intolerable to many Californians,” Pollak said, referring to issues such as the cost of living, homelessness, public safety, insurance and natural disasters.  

For the last couple decades, California politics have felt super predictable.

“We’ve had several uninteresting elections in a row, and the state is at a point of crisis, I would argue, partly because we are so dominated by one party that doesn’t fear opposition,” Pollak added. 

But Democrats are a little more nervous about the opposition this election season, especially in a couple high profile races. 

For much of this year, it was looking like two Republican candidates for governor could win the June primary and face off against each other in the November general election.

That’s because Gavin Newsom’s two terms as governor are up, with no obvious successor. That leaves a power vacuum, with numerous Democratic candidates splitting the voter base.

Meanwhile, Republican voters have been much more consolidated behind two candidates, who were at one point leading in the polls. 

Meanwhile, fatigue with the status quo is also fueling an unlikely candidate in the mayoral race in Los Angeles, the largest city in California. 

The top three contenders include current Mayor Karen Bass and city councilmember Nithya Raman – both democrats – and former reality TV villain Spencer Pratt, who is a registered Republican but is running as an independent. 

After a recent surge, Pratt is now close in the polls with Raman, behind Bass who still leads. 

“It’s usually the case that the incumbent wins no matter what, hands down,” California Post city hall reporter Jamie Paige said. “And if Spencer Pratt did not enter this race, that probably would have been the case.”

Watch the latest episode of our series California Explained above for a breakdown of exactly why this election season is so gripping and unpredictable, and how increased competition could change the future of California for the better.