Thousands of California Democrats gathered in San Francisco to organize opposition to President Trump and plan a national comeback, celebrating wins like Proposition 50 while wrestling with internal divisions. Leaders such as Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff used forceful language against the administration, and rising figures drew attention for oversight and accountability efforts. The convention highlighted an unsettled governor’s race, growing tensions with Silicon Valley, and a widening debate between progressives and moderates over strategy.
‘Trump’s Reign of Terror Must End’: California Democrats Rally in San Francisco to Plot National Comeback
Speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi raises her fist during the California Democratic convention in San Francisco, California, on 21 February.Photograph: Manuel Orbegozo/Reuters(Photograph: Manuel Orbegozo/Reuters)
Thousands of California Democrats converged on San Francisco’s Moscone Center to marshal opposition to President Donald Trump and sketch a strategy for regaining national power. The convention mixed defiant rhetoric, policy arguments and intra-party jockeying as leaders celebrated recent state victories and debated how best to translate California's successes into broader political momentum.
Convention Takeaways
Nancy Pelosi framed the gathering with a blunt charge: 'Trump’s reign of terror must end,' a refrain that punctuated tributes to her long career as Democrats acknowledged her move toward retirement and reflected on the party’s path forward.
Rep. Adam Schiff invoked the state flag’s grizzly bear as a warning to the administration: 'When you poke the bear, the bear rips your fucking head off.' He told the convention crowd there 'will be a reckoning' in November.
Speakers pointed to the passage of Proposition 50 — California’s redistricting response to a Republican gerrymander in Texas — as evidence that the state can provide a blueprint for the national party and act as a bulwark against the Trump administration’s policies.
Rising Stars and Combative Tone
Newer figures such as Representative Robert Garcia and Representative Ro Khanna earned enthusiastic responses for their oversight work and calls for accountability. Several speakers adopted sharper, more confrontational language, echoing Governor Gavin Newsom’s high-profile, no-holds-barred style.
Governor’s Race and Party Divides
The contest to succeed Governor Newsom dominated discussion. Delegates warned that California’s jungle primary — where the top two finishers advance regardless of party — could allow two Republicans to advance if Democrats fail to consolidate. DNC Chair Ken Martin urged unity and caution: 'We do have to just make sure that we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot, so to speak.'
According to delegate results posted Saturday night, Representative Eric Swalwell won roughly 25% of delegates, former state controller Betty Yee about 17%, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra about 14%. Polls discussed at the convention showed Republicans Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco leading statewide, with Democrats such as Swalwell, Tom Steyer and Katie Porter trailing and a large share of voters undecided.
Policy Friction: Silicon Valley, Labor and Progressive vs. Moderate Tactics
Delegates also aired tensions over how to confront tech industry influence. Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Federation, urged Democrats to stop 'bending the knee' to tech titans whose actions she argued helped enable Trump’s return, and called for addressing structural issues affecting working-class families.
Local races illustrated the broader ideological tug-of-war: progressive newcomer Randy Villegas, backed by Bernie Sanders, framed his contest with moderate state Senator Jasmeet Bains as 'a fight for the soul of the Democratic Party.' Outside the hall, theatrical protests — including activists dressed as snails urging leaders to 'grow a spine' — underscored intense grassroots pressure on strategy and priorities.
What To Watch
Delegates left energized but divided. Key near-term tests include consolidation around a gubernatorial frontrunner, messaging to working-class and suburban voters wary of both Trump and concentrated corporate power, and building national coordination to translate California’s local wins into broader midterm gains.
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