What Dan Pfeiffer has said about 2026 California gubernatorial election

Pfeiffer urged low-polling Democratic candidates without money or name recognition to drop out and endorse a viable contender.

“the best thing you can do is drop out and endorse someone who has a chance to win”

Pod Save America: Blue Wave Building in the Strait of Hormuz (Mar 27, 2026) · Listen from 57:36

Pfeiffer said California's size, ad costs and hollowed-out local media make it nearly impossible for underfunded candidates to become known.

“The system here sucks because of how expensive it is to run ads. And the state's too big to go around and meet everyone”

Pod Save America: Blue Wave Building in the Strait of Hormuz (Mar 27, 2026) · Listen from 59:11

Pfeiffer countered that elevating one Republican now may simply raise Hilton without lowering Bianco because the situations differ.

“I'm not sure you're going to lower Bianco. You might just raise Hilton”

Pod Save America: Blue Wave Building in the Strait of Hormuz (Mar 27, 2026) · Listen from 1:01:32