GOP candidate ends gubernatorial campaign
Ose’s exit will mean less splintering of the Republican vote in the June primary.
Former congressman Doug Ose dropped out of the California governor’s race this week, reducing the field of prominent Republicans in the race to just two.
The move came as Republicans feared being shut out of the gubernatorial race because the top candidates are all Democrats and no prominent Republicans are running for Senate.
Ose quickly tried to douse speculation he might join the Senate race instead, saying he has “no interest” in running for the seat. He did not respond to further requests for comment.
Angela Toft, his spokeswoman, said she was surprised Ose decided to drop out, and on Monday morning was in the midst of canceling 50 campaign events.
Jim Brulte, spokesman for the state GOP, said Ose’s decision will mean less splintering of the Republican vote in the June primary, potentially helping the Republican candidates still in the race — Assemblyman Travis Allen and businessman John Cox — claim one of the top two spots and move on to the general election.
“If I had my way another Republican candidate for governor would drop out,” said Brulte, who is a longtime friend of Ose.
“He’s a very experienced public servant and would have been a great governor, but I think he got into the campaign a little late,” Brulte said.
Ose, a wealthy real estate developer who represented the Sacramento area in Congress from 1999 to 2005, was in the race for nearly eight weeks and was the second Republican to exit. In July, former state lawmaker David Hadley dropped out after a two-week candidacy.
“I guess the other two will have to get out,” Ose told The Times when he announced his candidacy. “I happen to think people are going to respond very positively to my efforts to rebuild the California dream.”
Ose’s late entry into the race kept him off the stage for the two major gubernatorial debates that have taken place.
Ose was struggling to raise the amount of money it takes to campaign in a state as large and expensive as California. He had raised $136,800 in large donations, nearly two-thirds of which came from himself or his relatives, according to financial disclosures.
In response to Ose’s announcement, Cox urged Republican voters to unite behind his campaign.