During a recent appearance on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, California Democrat Senator Adam Schiff acknowledged growing voter dissatisfaction with his party—even in deep-blue California.

Referring to a recent poll showing that 50% of Californians would consider voting for a Republican governor in 2026, Schiff admitted that crime is a major concern, and that Democrats must “change how we do business.”

Schiff recounted a personal story where his luggage was stolen from his car in South San Francisco, a crime he admitted is now all too common. He noted that penalties for theft under $950 have weakened deterrents, contributing to a rise in organized retail theft. During a visit to Target, he struggled to find a cashier just to unlock shampoo, and said the cashier bluntly told him that “Democrats are a***oles.” Schiff took this as a warning sign of how deeply voters’ frustrations run.

He also criticized his party’s lack of a coordinated response during the State of the Union and stressed the need to focus on economic issues like housing, health care, and child care. Schiff’s comments reflect growing internal concern among Democrats about crime, public perception, and the party’s performance heading into future elections.