(Inside California Politics) — Democratic candidate Betty Yee defended her decision to stay in the race to be California’s next governor in a one-on-one interview with Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo.

The former California State Controller is one of several candidates lagging in the polls. Just this week, several top Democrats called on non-viable candidates to drop out of the race amid fears that a split Democratic vote could allow Republican hopefuls Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton to both advance to the general election.

Yee acknowledged that although there is “a lot to fear” about the concept of a Democratic lockout, she sees her candidacy as viable.

As a candidate, Yee trails several competitors — including self-funding wealthy philanthropist Tom Steyer — in spending. She described her campaign as a grassroots effort.

“I am not a billionaire,” she said. “This race will be a test as to whether grassroots campaigns are still viable … versus what I call the billionaires boys club.”

Yee said the state needs to address its budget challenges — a problem she believes has been borne out of years of governing over budget surpluses. In those years, Yee said, “accountability kind of goes out the window.”

“I feel like accountability has become a little bit of a dirty word around here, where it’s, you know, who’s gonna get thrown under the bus? That’s not what it’s about,” she said. “First of all, it’s not our money, right? I mean, this is the taxpayer’s dollars … so we want to be sure that it’s being directed to the best use for the broadest public benefit.”

The central issue in the governor’s race is affordability, something Yee believes is the central issue facing Californians. One of her ideas to address that issue would be to audit recent rate increases by public utilities.

Yee also emphasized health care as a key issue, including the expansion of rural health care.

In the interview, Yee also discussed AI, homelessness and how best to work with the Trump Administration.