SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The California GOP Sunday endorsed neither of the two Republican frontrunners in the gubernatorial race.
In order to earn the endorsement, one of the candidates, either Travis Allen or John Cox, had to get 60 percent of the delegates' votes.
During the first vote, Cox received 55.3 percent of the vote while Allen earned 40.5 percent of the vote.
A motion to change the rules of the convention was brought up by supporters of Cox, but the motion failed, leaving both candidates without the endorsement of their party.
In the race for governor, no endorsement was taken. #CAGOP2018
— CAGOP (@CAGOP) May 6, 2018
RELATED: CA GOP candidates make final pushes for party endorsement
The John Cox campaign says with or without the state party backing, knowing they have a 14 point lead among delegates, puts them in a good place.
“We love anything we can get, but Mr. Allen has put all of his eggs in one basket into getting this, and this was a clear rejection of him, and a boost of momentum for John Cox,” Cox’s campaign manager, Tim Rosales said.
The delegates also endorsed Cole Harris for Lieutenant Governor, Judge Steven Bailey for Attorney General, and Mark Meuser for Secretary of State.
Meuser is the first non-incumbent statewide candidate to earn the endorsement of the California Republican Party.
Cox of Rancho Santa Fe and Allen of Huntington Beach pitched to the nearly 1,000 member GOP delegation in San Diego to earn the party’s endorsement.
If elected Governor, both men promise to get rid of the gas tax and the state’s sanctuary laws.
"These are the issues that affect every single Californian, regardless of political party,” Gubernatorial candidate, Travis Allen said.
"We've got this glorious weather, but our political management is just horrendous. I think people are desperate for a change,” Cox said.
None of the California Gubernatorial candidates— Republican nor Democrat— have party endorsements this election.
At the Democratic convention in February, current Lt. Governor, Gavin Newsom hoped to win the endorsement. But he only got 39% of the delegates' votes, followed by current California treasurer, John Chiang’s 30%. This means all candidates, frontrunners or not, are headed to the June primaries. Only the top two finishers, regardless of political party, will advance to the November elections.
