This San Diego Union-Tribune story explains how backers of each of the two leading Democratic candidates for California Governor are propagating insincere messages aimed at Republican voters. Backers of Democrat Gavin Newsom are portraying Republican candidate John Cox as a true conservative in order to help Cox receive more Republican votes. Backers of the other leading Democrat in the race, Antonio Villaraigosa, are sending insincere messages trying to make the other leading Republican, Travis Allen, appear more attractive to Republican voters.

Newsom’s motive is to make it more likely that Cox, instead of Villaraigosa, will place second in the June 5 primary. Newsom thinks Cox would be easier to beat in November than Vallaraigosa would be. Villaraigosa hopes that Allen will draw votes away Cox and so enhance the chances that Viiaraigosa will come in second.