2026 California gubernatorial election
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The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of California. The statewide top-two primary election will take place on June 2, 2026. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom will be term-limited and ineligible to seek reelection.
Over a dozen candidates have already declared a campaign, with the field of candidates expected to expand.
Candidates
[edit]Democratic Party
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Toni Atkins, former President pro tempore of the California Senate (2018–2024) from the 39th district (2016–2024) and former Speaker of the California State Assembly (2012–2016) from the 78th district (2010–2016)[1]
- Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–2025) and former Attorney General of California (2017–2021)[2]
- Stephen Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts[3]
- Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present)[4] (will withdraw if Harris runs)[5]
- Katie Porter, former U.S. representative from California's 47th congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 (will withdraw if Harris runs)[6]
- Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2019–present)[7]
- Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) and candidate for governor in 2018[8]
- Betty Yee, California Democratic Party vice chair (2021–present) and former California State Controller (2015–2023)[9]
- Michael Younger, vice president of Calbright College (2022–present) and former deputy secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency[10]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022[11]
Potential
[edit]- Kamala Harris, former vice president of the United States (2021–2025), former U.S. senator (2017–2021), and nominee for president in 2024 (decision expected in summer 2025)[12][5]
Withdrew
[edit]- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)[9]
Declined
[edit]- Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (2021–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Harris)[13]
- Laphonza Butler, former U.S. senator (2023–2024)[14]
Republican Party
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Brandon Jones, marketing agency founder[15]
- Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)[16]
- Sharifah Hardie, business consultant[17]
- Kyle Langford, construction manager[18]
- Daniel Mercuri, author, candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022, and candidate for California's 25th congressional district in 2020[19][20]
- Jimmy Parker, former judge[21]
- Steve Hilton, political commentator and former adviser to UK prime minister David Cameron (2010–2012)[22]
- Leo Zacky, vice president of Zacky Farms and candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022[21]
Filed paperwork
[edit]- Daniel Mercuri, author, candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022, and candidate for California's 25th congressional district in 2020[19]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Grant Cardone, private equity fund manager[23]
- Brian Dahle, former state senator (2019–2024) and runner-up for governor in 2022[24]
- Richard Grenell, Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions (2025–present) and former U.S. Ambassador to Germany (2018–2020) (if Harris runs)[25]
- Caitlyn Jenner, media personality and candidate for governor in the 2021 recall election[26]
- Jake Steinfeld, actor and fitness personality[27]
Potential
[edit]- Lanhee Chen, policy advisor and runner-up for state controller in 2022[28]
Declined
[edit]- Mel Gibson, actor and filmmaker[29]
- Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023) from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023)[30]
Green Party
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Butch Ware, associate professor and nominee for Vice President in 2024[31]
No party preference
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Ethan Penner, real estate investor (decision expected by June 2025)[32]
Declined
[edit]- Nicole Shanahan, attorney and running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 presidential election[33]
Primary election
[edit]Endorsements
[edit]Toni Atkins (D)
- U.S. representatives
- Scott Peters, CA-50 (2013–present)[34]
- Statewide officials
- Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State (2021–present)[1]
- State legislators
- David Alvarez, AD-80 (2020–present)[35]
- Catherine Blakespear, SD-38 (2022–present)[35]
- Tasha Boerner, AD-77 (2018–present)[35]
- Christine Kehoe, SD-39 (2004–2012)[1]
- Brian Maienschein, AD-76 (2012–2024)[35]
- Steve Padilla, SD-18 (2022–present)[35]
- Chris Ward, AD-78 (2020–present)[35]
- Akilah Weber, SD-39 (2024–present)[35]
- Local officials
- Todd Gloria, mayor of San Diego (2020–present)[36]
- Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County supervisor (2020–present)[36]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
Chad Bianco (R)
- Executive branch officials
- Bill Essayli, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California (2025–present)[38]
- U.S. representatives
- Ken Calvert, CA-41 (1993–present)[39]
- Darrell Issa, CA-48 (2001–2019, 2021–present)[40]
- State legislators
- Juan Alanis, AD-22 (2022-present)[40]
- Leticia Castillo, AD-58 (2024–present)[38]
- Phillip Chen, AD-59 (2016–present)[41]
- Jordan Cunningham, AD-35 (2016–2022)[42]
- Diane Dixon, AD-72 (2022–present)[42]
- Heath Flora, AD-09 (2022–present)[42]
- Jeff Gonzalez, AD-36 (2024–present)[38]
- Dennis Hollingsworth, SD-36 (2002–2010)[41]
- Tom Lackey, AD-34 (2014–present)[43]
- Devon Mathis, AD-33 (2014–2024)[40]
- Joe Patterson, AD-05 (2022–present)[42]
- Kate Sanchez, AD-71 (2022–present)[42]
- Kelly Seyarto, SD-32 (2022–present)[44]
- Greg Wallis, AD-47 (2022–present)[38]
- Scott Wilk, SD-21 (2016–2024)[41]
- Local officials
- Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)[41]
- Paul Miyamoto, San Francisco Sheriff (2020–present) (Democratic)[42]
- 36 other county sheriffs[42]
- 2 county district attorneys[42]
Eleni Kounalakis (D)
- Executive branch officials
- Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State (2009–2013), former U.S. senator from New York (2001–2009), and Democratic nominee for president in 2016[45]
- U.S. senators
- Barbara Boxer, U.S. senator from California (1993–2017)[46]
- U.S. representatives
- State legislators
- Bill Dodd, SD-03 (2016–2024)[45]
- Evan Low, AD-26 (2014–2024)[36]
- Diane Papan, AD-21 (2022–present)[45]
- Local officials
- Roberta Achtenberg, former San Francisco supervisor (1991–1993)[36]
- Art Agnos, former mayor of San Francisco (1988–1992)[47]
- Kevin McCarty, mayor of Sacramento (2024–present)[45]
- Individuals
- Markos Kounalakis, journalist and Second Gentleman of California (2019–present) (candidate's husband)[48]
- Angelo Tsakopoulos, real estate developer (candidate's father)[46]
Tony Thurmond (D)
- State legislators
- Sabrina Cervantes, SD-31 (2024–present)[36]
Antonio Villaraigosa (D)
- Individuals
- Michael Eisner, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company[49]
- Rob Reiner, director[49]
- Ryan Seacrest, producer[49]
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Chad Bianco (R) |
Rick Caruso (D) |
John Cox (R) |
Brian Dahle (R) |
Steve Garvey (R) |
Kamala Harris (D) |
Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[50] | April 12–14, 2025 | 911 (LV) | ± 3.2 | 4% | – | – | – | – | 31% | 2% | 8% | 2% | 1% | 5%[b] | 39% |
| Emerson College[51][A][c] | February 10–11, 2025 | 469 (RV) | ± 4.5% | – | – | – | – | – | 57% | 4% | 9% | 4% | 2% | 9%[d] | 15% |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | 5% | 21% | 9% | 3% | 18%[e] | 44% | ||||
| Capitol Weekly[52] | February 3–7, 2025 | 1,200 (RV) | – | – | 8% | 21% | – | – | 23% | 2% | 16% | 2% | 2% | 26%[f] | – |
| – | 8% | 21% | – | – | – | 5% | 26% | 3% | 3% | 32%[g] | – | ||||
| Breakthrough Campaigns[53] | November 22–26, 2024 | 1,228 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 6% | 5% | – | 9% | 18% | – | 8% | 21% | 3% | 3% | 15%[h] | 12% |
| 14% | 6% | – | – | 21% | – | 9% | 24% | 3% | 6% | 6%[i] | 11% | ||||
| USC/CSU Long Beach/Cal Poly Pomona[54] | September 12–25, 2024 | 1,685 (LV) | ± 2.4% | 5% | – | – | 5% | – | 3% | 2% | 14% | 3% | 3% | 15%[j] | 50% |
| Tulchin Research (D)[55][B] | August 8–12, 2024 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | – | – | – | 13% | – | – | 10% | – | 13% | 7% | 18%[k] | 40% |
Debates
[edit]| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||||
| Atkins | Kounalakis | Thurmond | Yee | |||||
| 1 | Sep. 29, 2024 | National Union of Healthcare Workers Los Angeles Times, The Associated Press, Politico |
Laurel Rosenhall Lisa Matthews Melanie Mason |
YouTube | P | P | P | P |
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[56] | Solid D | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[57] | Solid D | February 6, 2025 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ Kyle Langford (R) with 2%; "Someone else" with 3%
- ^ This poll was stated to be for a "Democratic primary", which does not exist in California
- ^ Toni Atkins (D) and "Someone else" with 3%; Stephen Cloobeck (D), Tony Thurmond (D), and Michael Younger (D) with 1%
- ^ "Someone else" with 8%; Toni Atkins (D) Stephen Cloobeck (D), and Tony Thurmond (D) with 3%; and Michael Younger (D) with 1%
- ^ Lanhee Chen (R) with 10%; Rob Bonta (D) with 7%; Xavier Becerra (D) with 4%; Toni Atkins (D) and Laphonza Butler (D) with 2%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 1%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
- ^ Rob Bonta (D) and Lanhee Chen (R) with 9%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 4%; Toni Atkins (D) with 3%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 2%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
- ^ Rob Bonta (D) with 6%; Laphonza Butler (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 3%; Xavier Becerra (D) with 2%; Toni Atkins (D) with 1%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
- ^ Toni Atkins (D) with 3%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 2%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 1%
- ^ Rob Bonta (D) and Steve Hilton (R) with 4%; Xavier Becerra (D) with 3%; Lanhee Chen (R) with 2%; Toni Atkins (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 1%
- ^ Steve Hilton (R) with 10%; Toni Atkins (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 4%
Partisan clients
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Mason, Melanie (January 19, 2024). "California Senate leader aims to be the state's first woman and LGBTQ+ governor". Politico. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Mason, Melanie (April 2, 2025). "Xavier Becerra announces bid for California governor". Politico. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (November 5, 2024). "Hospitality businessman Stephen Cloobeck launches California governor bid". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
- ^ Cadelago, Christopher (April 24, 2023). "Eleni Kounalakis first to launch campaign for California governor in 2026". Politico. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ a b Daniels, Eugene; Cadelago, Christopher (March 7, 2025). "Kamala Harris sets a deadline for her next move". Politico. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ^ Rosenhall, Laurel (March 11, 2025). "Katie Porter Will Run for California Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
Ms. Porter will drop out of the race if Ms. Harris runs, a spokesman confirmed.
- ^ Flores, Hilda (September 26, 2023). "State Superintendent Tony Thurmond officially announces run for governor". KCRA. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ Gans, Jared (July 23, 2024). "Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa again running for California governor". The Hill. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Bollag, Sophia (April 24, 2023). "Former California Controller Betty Yee says she will run to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ "Alumni Profile: Michael Younger '02". Stevenson School. April 15, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (February 17, 2025). "Morning Digest: A Georgia Republican says he alone can raise unlimited sums. His rivals have other ideas". The Downballot. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
Developer Rick Caruso...now tells Puck's Peter Hamby he's considering a campaign for California's open governorship.
- ^ Rosenhall, Laurel (February 19, 2025). "Harris Has Scrambled the California Governor's Race Without Entering It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (February 5, 2025). "Rob Bonta is keeping his day job". Politico. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
Attorney General Rob Bonta won't run for California governor in 2026, he told Playbook...instead, he'll seek reelection as AG and back former Vice President Kamala Harris if she jumps into the fray to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- ^ Mehta, Seema (November 17, 2024). "Laphonza Butler reflects on her brief Senate career, the presidential race and her future". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Baños, Alejandro (March 12, 2025). "Katie Porter officially announces her candidacy for California governor". VOZ.
- ^ Horseman, Jeff (February 17, 2025). "Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announces California governor run in 2026". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Symon, Evan (November 19, 2024). "Where the Ultra-Competitive 2026 California Gubernatorial Race Currently Stands". California Globe. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Semyon, Cassie (April 2, 2025). "Becerra joins crowded field in bid to be California's next governor". NY1. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ a b "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance". cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ Sparks, Jennifer (March 19, 2025). "Politics and The Pulpit –Daniel Mercuri- March 19, 2025". KHTS Radio. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Medina, Alex (July 23, 2024). "Antonio Villaraigosa announces another run for California governor". Boyle Heights Beat. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Blake (April 21, 2025). "Former Fox News host Steve Hilton is running for California governor". Politico. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ Hall, Phil (November 18, 2024). "Grant Cardone Considers Run for California Governor". Weekly Real Estate News. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Bollag, Sophia (December 9, 2024). "The California governors race is already crowded. Will these heavy hitters jump in?". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (February 14, 2025). "Grenell would consider run for California governor if Harris enters race". The Hill. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Sforza, Lauren (November 25, 2024). "Trump ally Caitlyn Jenner taunts Kamala Harris". NJ.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Colombo, Madison (March 28, 2025). "Fitness mogul Jake Steinfeld seriously considers run for California governor after losing home to wildfires". Fox News. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
- ^ Nelson, Laura (November 13, 2024). "California Gov. Kamala Harris? New poll finds she'd have a clear advantage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Mel Gibson 'Flattered' by Governor Poll Favorability, but Has Zero Interest". TMZ. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (February 13, 2024). "McCarthy floats future run for office in rare Capitol Hill visit". Axios. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
McCarthy dismissed a run for California governor in 2026
- ^ "Butch Ware, former Green Party VP nominee, announces next run for office". Green Party of the United States (Press release). November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
- ^ Gittelsohn, John (April 7, 2025). "CMBS Pioneer Ethan Penner Considers Run for California Governor". Bloomberg News. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ BREAKING: Nicole Shanahan Will NOT Run For Governor Of California. The Steve Hilton Show. March 21, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Larreal, Samuel; Alfred, Mark (March 11, 2025). "Silicon Valley lawmakers aren't racing to back latest governor candidate". San José Spotlight (in partnership with NOTUS). Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Tefu, Bo (August 6, 2024). "Asm. Akilah Weber Endorses Sen. Toni Atkins for Governor". Post News Group. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Bajko, Matthew S. (June 17, 2024). "LPAC early endorses lesbian 2026 CA governor candidate Atkins". Bay Area Reporter. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "IBEW 569 Endorses Toni Atkins for Governor!". IBEW 569. May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Horseman, Jeff (February 17, 2025). "Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announces California governor run in 2026". Los Angeles Daily News. SCNG. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Albani-Burgio, Paul (February 17, 2025). "Sheriff Chad Bianco kicks off campaign for California governor with attacks on Democrats". The Desert Sun. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c Gligich, Daniel (June 6, 2024). "Coalition urges Riverside Sheriff Bianco to run for governor". San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Horseman, Jeff (July 9, 2024). "Can Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco become California's governor in 2026?". Los Angeles Daily News. SCNG. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Coalition Organizes to Draft Riverside Sheriff for Governor". California County News. June 19, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Norman, Nicole (February 17, 2025). "MAGA sheriff running for CA governor vows to end 'sanctuary' laws". Politico. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Horseman, Jeff. "Conservative Southern California sheriff announces governor run in 2026". The Mercury News. BANG. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Rosenhall, Lauren (May 25, 2023). "Hillary Clinton backs Eleni Kounalakis for California governor". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ a b White, Jeremy B.; Korte, Lara; Brown, Matthew; Castanos, Ramon (May 25, 2023). "Kounalakis, Clinton and California clout". Politico. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Koehn, Josh (April 24, 2023). "Eleni Kounalakis Running for California Governor. Will Kamala Harris Join Her?". The San Francisco Standard. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Porter, Jacque (April 26, 2023). "Who is California gubernatorial candidate Eleni Kounalakis?". KTXL. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c Mehta, Seema (April 10, 2025). "Democrats running for California governor take digs at Kamala Harris' delayed decision on the race". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Mumford, Camille (April 17, 2025). "April 2025 California Poll: Harris Leads Hypothetical Gubernatorial Primary, 50% of Voters Think She Should Not Run". Emerson Polling.
- ^ "February 2025 California Poll: Kamala Harris Emerges as Democratic Frontrunner for Governor". February 13, 2025.
- ^ Paul, Mitchell (February 12, 2025). "CA 120: Dems in a funk, but Harris and Newsom could still shine".
- ^ Vermeyen, Lindsay (December 9, 2024). "State of the California Governor Race". Politico.
- ^ "The California Elections and Policy Poll (CEPP): Statewide Poll of the California Electorate, poll conducted September 12-25, 2024" (PDF). University of Southern California. September 30, 2024.
- ^ Korte, Lara; Gardiner, Dustin (August 29, 2024). "Assembly pushes back on Newsom". Politico.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
External links
[edit]Official campaign websites
- Toni Atkins (D) for Governor
- Xavier Becerra (D) for Governor
- Chad Bianco (R) for Governor
- Stephen Cloobeck (D) for Governor
- Eleni Kounalakis (D) for Governor
- Daniel Mercuri (R) for Governor
- Katie Porter (D) for Governor
- Tony Thurmond (D) for Governor
- Antionio Villaraigosa (D) for Governor
- Butch Ware (G) for Governor
- Betty Yee (D) for Governor
- Michael Younger (D) for Governor
- Leo Zacky (R) for Governor