The prospect of a humiliating pile-up in the governor's race has put the state’s political class increasingly on edge.

SAFETY NOT IN NUMBERS — The math isn’t mathing for California Democrats when it comes to the crowded race to succeed Gov.

Mention of a college math competition conjures up images of diligent students, clad in polo-shirted uniforms, huddled over a red buzzer, whispering about factorials. They boast catchy team names like ...