For California politicians who fancy themselves as the state’s next governor, this fall has become an unprecedented season of self-destruction.

The field aiming to succeed Gavin Newsom is the most crowded in modern memory. So far, the open seat with no obvious successor has drawn the likes of former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Assemblyman Ian Calderon, former state Controller Betty Yee, former Orange County Congresswoman Katie Porter, former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, former state Attorney General Xavior Becerra, state Schools Supt. Tony Thurmond and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Waiting in the wings: Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, who surveys indicate would become the favorite if he declares for the office.

For awhile, the polling leader was

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