2026 California gubernatorial election
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The 2026 California gubernatorial election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of California.[1] Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom will be term limited through the state's constitution and cannot run for reelection to a third term.[2]
Background[change]
Eligibility and requirements[change]
Section 5 of the California Constitution states for a person to serve as governor, you must be at least 18 years old, and have been a citizen of the United States and California for at least five years. The state's constitution forbids anyone from being elected governor more than twice.[2]
Possible debate topics[change]
Abortion[change]
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in June 2022, which overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and permitted U.S. states to fully ban abortion for the first time in nearly 50 years, has made abortion a more possible issue. In the 2026 election, the topic of abortion is expected to play a major role in the Republican Party.
Right to bear arms[change]
Due to mass shootings increasingly surging in the United States, the Democratic Party has advocated for an assault weapons ban. This is most likely a major campaign topic to play out in both parties.
Candidates[change]
Democratic Party[change]
Declared[change]
- 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)[3]
- Stephen Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts[4]
- Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present)[5]
- Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2019–present)[6]
- Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) and candidate for governor in 2018[7]
- Betty Yee, California Democratic Party vice chair (2021–present) and former California State Controller (2015–2023)[8]
- Michael Younger, vice president of Calbright College (2022–present) and former deputy secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency[9]
Publicly expressed interest[change]
- Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022[10]
- Katie Porter, former U.S. representative from California's 47th congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[11]
Potential[change]
- Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–2025) and former Attorney General of California (2017–2021)[11][12]
- Kamala Harris, former vice president of the United States (2021–2025), former U.S. senator (2017–2021), and nominee for president in 2024[13][14]
Withdrew[change]
- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)[8]
Declined[change]
- Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (2021–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Harris)[14]
- Laphonza Butler, former U.S. senator (2023–2024)[15]
Republican Party[change]
Declared[change]
- Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)[16]
- Sharifah Hardie, business consultant[17]
- Jimmy Parker, former judge[18]
- Leo Zacky, vice president of Zacky Farms and candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022[18]
Publicly expressed interest[change]
- Grant Cardone, private equity fund manager[19]
- Brian Dahle, former state senator (2019–2024) and runner-up for governor in 2022[11]
- Richard Grenell, Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions (2025–present) and former U.S. Ambassador to Germany (2018–2020) (if Harris runs)[20]
- Steve Hilton, political commentator and former adviser to UK prime minister David Cameron (2010–2012)[11]
- Caitlyn Jenner, media personality and candidate for governor in 2021[21]
Potential[change]
- Lanhee Chen, policy advisor and runner-up for state controller in 2022[22][23]
- Mel Gibson, actor and filmmaker[24]
Declined[change]
- Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023) from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023)[25]
Green Party[change]
Declared[change]
- Butch Ware, associate professor and nominee for Vice President in 2024[26]
No party preference[change]
Declared[change]
- Javen Allen, actor[27]
Publicly expressed interest[change]
- Nicole Shanahan, attorney and running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 presidential election[28]
Primary election[change]
Endorsements[change]
| Toni Atkins (D) |
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Statewide officials
State senators
State assemblymembers
Local officials
Labor unions Organizations |
| Chad Bianco (R) |
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|
U.S. representatives
State senators
State assemblymembers
Local officials
|
| Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
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|
Federal officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives State senators State assemblymembers Local officials
Notable individuals
|
| Tony Thurmond (D) |
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State senators
|
Polling[change]
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[43][A][b] | February 10–11, 2024 | 469 (RV) | ± 4.5% | – | – | – | – | – | 57% | 4% | 9% | 4% | 2% | 9%[c] | 15% |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | 5% | 21% | 9% | 3% | 18%[d] | 44% | ||||
| Capitol Weekly[44] | February 3–7, 2025 | 1,200 (RV) | – | – | 8% | 21% | – | – | 23% | 2% | 16% | 2% | 2% | 26%[e] | – |
| – | 8% | 21% | – | – | – | 5% | 26% | 3% | 3% | 32%[f] | – | ||||
| Breakthrough Campaigns[45] | November 22–26, 2024 | 1,228 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 6% | 5% | – | 9% | 18% | – | 8% | 21% | 3% | 3% | 15%[g] | 12% |
| 14% | 6% | – | – | 21% | – | 9% | 24% | 3% | 6% | 6%[h] | 11% | ||||
| University of Southern California/CSU Long Beach/Cal Poly Pomona[46] | September 12–25, 2024 | 1,685 (LV) | ± 2.4% | 5% | – | 5% | – | – | 3% | 2% | 14% | 3% | 3% | 15%[i] | 50% |
| Tulchin Research (D)[47][B] | August 8–12, 2024 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | – | – | 13% | – | – | – | 10% | – | 13% | 7% | 18%[j] | 40% |
Debates[change]
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
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| 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[change]
Notes[change]
- ↑ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ↑ 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%
Sources[change]
- ↑ "2026 United States gubernatorial elections", Wikipedia, 2023-01-21, retrieved 2023-01-27
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Article V, California Constitution". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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 (23 July 2024). "Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa again running for California governor". The Hill. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 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.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 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.
- ↑ Mehta, Seema (January 27, 2025). "Is Xavier Becerra's next move running for governor? He's not saying. Yet". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ↑ Wick, Julia (December 10, 2024). "Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 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.
- ↑ Horseman, Jeff (February 17, 2025). "Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announces California governor run in 2026". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Sharifah Hardie Introduces 'California Forward' Plan as DNC Commences, Offering New Solutions for Economic Growth". Ask Sharifah (Press release). August 18, 2024. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024 – via EIN Presswire.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 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.
- ↑ Hall, Phil (2024-11-18). "Grant Cardone Considers Run for California Governor". Weekly Real Estate News. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Willon, Phil (2024-08-09). "Who is running for California governor in 2026? Meet the potential candidates". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Symon, Evan (2025-02-13). "Actor Mel Gibson Joins Newsom Recall Movement, Signs Recall Petition". California Globe. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
Following Gibson's signing on Monday, many have now also called on him to run for Governor
- ↑ Solender, Andrew (13 February 2024). "McCarthy floats future run for office in rare Capitol Hill visit". Axios. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved 17 February 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.
- ↑ "Javen Allen is the New Politician in Town & He's Not Backing Down" (Press release). January 7, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025 – via Access Newswire.
- ↑ Kilander, Gustaf (October 23, 2024). "RFK Jr's billionaire running mate has rebranded herself as a MAGA-health guru". The Independent. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 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.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 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. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Gligich, Daniel (June 6, 2024). "Coalition urges Riverside Sheriff Bianco to run for governor". San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 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.
- ↑ Horseman, Jeff. "Conservative Southern California sheriff announces governor run in 2026". The Mercury News. BANG. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 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.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 37.6 "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.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 39.5 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.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 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 (2023-04-24). "Eleni Kounalakis Running for California Governor. Will Kamala Harris Join Her?". The San Francisco Standard. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "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.
Other websites[change]
- Official campaign websites
- Toni Atkins (D) for Governor
- Sharifah Hardie (R) for Governor
- Eleni Kounalakis (D) for Governor
- Jesse Perez (D) for Governor Archived 2024-09-15 at the Wayback Machine
- Raji Rab (R) for Governor
- Nicholas Thompson (L) for Governor
- Tony Thurmond (D) for Governor
- Antionio Villaraigosa (D) for Governor
- Betty Yee (D) for Governor
- Michael Younger (D) for Governor
- Leo Zacky (R) for Governor