San José Mayor Matt Mahan’s public rebuke of Gov. Gavin Newsom for his combative, Trump-trolling social media strategy has exposed a key fault line between California Democrats as they navigate Trump’s second term.

Should the party’s leaders focus on fighting President Donald Trump and his attempts to undermine the state’s values, rules and institutions? Or should they tune out the White House and prioritize fixing pressing issues such as affordability and public safety? The choice to fight or fix could not only divide California’s current crop of Democratic leaders but also animate future campaigns for governor in 2026 and the presidency in 2028.

“Democrats have to be really clear-eyed about where restraint is necessary and where we need leaders who are willing to sharpen their kn

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