With California hosting the greatest gathering of 2020 Democratic presidential contenders to date, national networks such as CBS are covering the state party convention in San Francisco.
The 2020 Democratic presidential race just got bigger — and more expensive in California. Screenshot/CBS

As more than a dozen presidential contenders spend the weekend selling themselves at the state Democratic Party’s annual confab in San Francisco, most of their speeches have been stump classics—with little mention of California or its uniquely influential role in the coming primary election.

But for Golden State voters looking for some California-specific attention, here’s a shortlist of what they did say in and around Moscone Center this weekend, and some of their chief selling points and obstacles to overcome with Democratic delegates. We’ll update it as the convention unfolds.

And if you wonder why Joe Biden, former vice president and current frontrunner, didn’t make the cut, it’s because he didn’t show up. Sure, he outpolls other Democrats statewide—but as a moderate from the establishment wing of the party, he would have had to brace for a tougher crowd among the progressive activists who invigorate this convention. (His backer Sen. Dianne Feinstein historically has been booed and most recently denied an endorsement by delegates.)

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Elizabeth is a general assignment reporter for CalMatters. She graduated from Chico State with a bachelor's degree in journalism. While in college at Chico, Elizabeth did internships with the local NPR...

Ben covers housing policy and previously covered California politics and elections. Prior to these roles at CalMatters, he was a contributing writer for CalMatters reporting on the state's economy and...