California Democrats declined to endorse a candidate for governor at their convention. Here’s what that means.

California Democrats walked away from their annual convention this weekend without making an endorsement for their anointed successor to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

With eight candidates eligible for the state party’s endorsement — San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan jumped into the race too late to be considered — the odds that 60% of delegates would coalesce around one candidate were low. But with some candidates who have been consistently polling toward the back of the pack garnering support from party insiders...