2026 California gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
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The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of California. The nonpartisan top-two primary election will take place on June 2, 2026. Incumbent Democratic governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and ineligible for election to a third term.
As of December 2025, over two dozen candidates have declared campaigns, and the field is expected to grow. Republicans have not won a statewide race in California since 2006 and have not held statewide office since 2011.
Candidates
Democratic Party
Declared
- Derek Grasty, Mount Pleasant Elementary School District Trustee (2024-present)[1]
- Ethan Agarwal, tech entrepreneur[2]
- Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–2025) and former Attorney General of California (2017–2021)[3]
- Carolina Buhler, UCLA student[4]
- Ian Calderon, former majority leader of the California Assembly (2016–2020) from the 57th district (2012–2020)[5]
- Zoltan Istvan, founder of the Transhumanist Party, Libertarian candidate for governor in 2018, and Republican candidate for president in 2020[6]
- Thunder Parley, software engineer[7]
- Katie Porter, former U.S. representative from California's 47th congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[8]
- Raji Rab, pilot and perennial candidate[9]
- Tom Steyer, founder of Farallon Capital and candidate for president in 2020[10]
- Eric Swalwell, U.S. representative from California's 14th congressional district (2013–present) and candidate for president in 2020[11]
- Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2019–present)[12]
- Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) and candidate for governor in 2018[13]
- Betty Yee, California Democratic Party vice chair (2021–present) and former California State Controller (2015–2023)[14]
Publicly expressed interest
- Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (2021–present) (initially declined in February 2025 in order to run for re-election)[15][16]
- Rick Caruso, founder of Caruso and candidate for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022[17]
Potential
- Matt Mahan, mayor of San Jose (2023–present)[18]
- Buffy Wicks, state assemblymember from the 14th district (2018–present)[19]
Withdrawn
- Toni Atkins, former President pro tempore of the California State 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)[20]
- Stephen Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts (endorsed Swalwell)[21][22]
- Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present) (running for state treasurer)[23]
- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)[14]
- Michael Younger, vice president of Calbright College (2021–present) and former Deputy Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (2019–2021)[9]
Declined
- Laphonza Butler, former U.S. senator (2023–2024)[24]
- Kamala Harris, former vice president of the United States (2021–2025), former U.S. senator (2017–2021), and nominee for president in 2024[25]
- Alex Padilla, U.S. senator (2021–present)[26]
- Adam Schiff, U.S. senator (2024–present)[27]
Republican Party
Declared
- Ché Ahn, pastor[28]
- Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)[29]
- Sophia Brink, legislative aide to San Mateo County supervisor David Canepa[30]
- Sharifah Hardie, business consultant[31]
- Steve Hilton, political commentator and former adviser to UK prime minister David Cameron (2010–2012)[32]
- Brandon Jones, marketing agency founder[33]
- Kyle Langford, construction manager[34]
- Daniel Mercuri, author, candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022, and candidate for California's 25th congressional district in 2020[35]
- Jimmy Parker, former judge[36]
- David Serpa, real estate business owner and runner-up for California's 39th congressional district in 2024[37]
- Jon Slavet, tech entrepeneur[38]
- Leo Zacky, vice president of Zacky Farms and candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022[36]
Publicly expressed interest
- Jake Steinfeld, actor and fitness personality[39]
Declined
- Mel Gibson, Special Ambassador to Hollywood (2025–present), actor, and filmmaker[40]
- Richard Grenell, Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions (2025–present) and executive director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2025–present)[41]
- Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023) from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023)[42]
Green Party
Declared
- Butch Ware, associate professor and nominee for vice president in 2024[43]
Libertarian Party
Declared
- Nicholas Thompson, college student[9]
Peace and Freedom Party
Declared
No party preference
Declared
- Javen Allen, actor[31][b]
- Leonard Jackson, shipping company CEO[46]
- Ryan Tillman, police officer[47]
- David Thelen, blogger[47]
Declined
- Nicole Shanahan, attorney and running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 presidential election[48]
Primary election
Endorsements
Ché Ahn (R)
Xavier Becerra (D)
- U.S. representatives
- Labor unions
Chad Bianco (R)
- Executive branch officials
- Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California (2025–present)[53]
- U.S. representatives
- Mary Bono, former CA-45 (1998–2013)[54]
- Ken Calvert, CA-41 (1993–present)[55]
- Darrell Issa, CA-48 (2023–present), CA-50 (2021–2023)[53]
- State legislators
- Dennis Hollingsworth, former SD-36 (2002–2010)[56]
- Kelly Seyarto, SD-32 (2022–present)[54]
- Scott Wilk, former SD-21 (2016–2024)[53]
- Juan Alanis, AD-22 (2022–present)[57]
- Leticia Castillo, AD-58 (2024–present) [54]
- Phillip Chen, AD-39 (2016–present)[53]
- Jordan Cunningham, former AD-35 (2016–2022)[53]
- Laurie Davies, AD-74 (2020–present)[54]
- Diane Dixon, AD-72 (2022–present)[53]
- Heath Flora, minority leader of the California Assembly (2025–present) from AD-09 (2022–present) and AD-12 (2016–2022)[53]
- Heather Hadwick, AD-01 (2024–present)[54]
- Tom Lackey, AD-34 (2022–present)[53]
- Joe Patterson, AD-05 (2022–present)[53]
- Kate Sanchez, AD-71 (2022–present)[53]
- Tri Ta, AD-70 (2022–present)[54]
- Greg Wallis, AD-47 (2022–present)[53]
- Devon Mathis, former AD-26 (2014–2022) and AD-33 (2022–2024)[53]
- Local officials
- Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)[56]
- Curt Hagman, San Bernardino County supervisor from the 4th district (2014–present)[54]
- Paul Miyamoto, San Francisco Sheriff (2020–present) (Democratic)[58]
- Individuals
- Lorenzo Lamas, actor and producer[59]
- Royce Gracie, professional MMA fighter[59]
- Dan Henderson, professional MMA fighter and wrestler[59]
Steve Hilton (R)
- Executive branch officials
- Jon Voight, Special Ambassador to Hollywood (2025–present)[60]
- U.S. representatives
- Tom McClintock, CA-05 (2009–present)[61]
- Kevin Kiley, CA-03 (2023–present)[62]
- Individuals
- Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (deceased)[62]
- Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur[62]
Zoltan Istvan (D)
- Political parties
- United States Pirate Party[64]
- U.S. Transhumanist Party (founded by candidate)[64]
Katie Porter (D)
- U.S. representatives
- Labor unions
- Amalgamated Transit Union[67]
- International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Western States Council[68]
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters California[69]
- National Union of Healthcare Workers[70]
- United Auto Workers[71][72]
- Organizations
Eric Swalwell (D)
- U.S. representatives
- Nanette Barragán, CA-44 (2017–present)[78]
- Jimmy Gomez, CA-34 (2017–present)[79]
- Kevin Mullin, CA-15 (2023–present)[79]
- Jimmy Panetta, CA-19 (2017–present)[79]
- Mike Thompson, CA-4 (1999–present)[79]
- Individuals
- Stephen Cloobeck, businessman and former candidate for governor[21]
- Knowa De Baraso, political commentator and internet personality[80]
Tony Thurmond (D)
- U.S. representatives
- Laura Friedman, CA-30 (2025–present)[81]
- State legislators
Ian Calderon, former majority leader of the California Assembly (2016–2020) from AD-57 (2012–2020)(entered race in September 2025)[82]- Sabrina Cervantes, SD-31 (2024–present)[83]
- Jackie Goldberg, AD-45 (2000–2006)[83]
- Organizations
Antonio Villaraigosa (D)
- U.S. senators
- Barbara Boxer, former U.S. senator from California (1993–2017) (campaign co-chair)[85]
- Local officials
- Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles (2022–present)[86]
- Labor unions
- California State United Association[87]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers California State Association[88]
- International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 3[89] and 12[90]
- State Building and Construction Trades Council of California[91]
Butch Ware (G)
- Political parties
Betty Yee (D)
- Organizations
Declined to endorse
- Organizations
- East Area Progressive Democrats[94]
Toni Atkins (D) (withdrawn)
- U.S. representatives
- Scott Peters, CA-50 (2013–present)[95]
- Juan Vargas, CA-52 (2013–present)[96]
- Statewide officials
- Tina Kotek, governor of Oregon (2023–present)[97]
- State legislators
- Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, AD-04 (2016–present)[98]
- David Alvarez, AD-80 (2020–present)[99]
- Bob Archuleta, SD-32 (2018–present)[100]
- Catherine Blakespear, SD-38 (2022–present)[99]
- Tasha Boerner, AD-77 (2018–present)[99]
- Susan Eggman, SD-05 (2020–2024)[101]
- Jacqui Irwin, AD-42 (2014–present)[74]
- Christine Kehoe, SD-39 (2004–2012)[102]
- John Laird, SD-17 (2020–present)[98]
- Brian Maienschein, AD-76 (2012–2024)[99]
- Tina McKinnor, AD-61 (2022–present)[100]
- Caroline Menjivar, SD-20 (2022–present)[98]
- Mike McGuire, SD-02 (2024–present)[103]
- Steve Padilla, SD-18 (2022–present)[99]
- Gail Pellerin, AD-28 (2022–present)[100]
- Richard Roth, SD-31 (2012–2024)[98]
- LaShae Sharp-Collins, AD-79 (2024–present)[98]
- Tom Umberg, SD-34 (2018–present)[100]
- Chris Ward, AD-78 (2020–present)[99]
- Akilah Weber, SD-39 (2024–present)[99]
- Scott Wiener, SD-11 (2016–present)[101]
- Local officials
- 8/9 members of the San Diego City Council[c][83]
- Paloma Aguirre, San Diego supervisor from the 1st district (2025–present)[104]
- Todd Gloria, mayor of San Diego (2013–2014, 2020–present)[83]
- Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County supervisor from the 3rd district (2021–present)[83]
- Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles County supervisor from the 2nd district (2020–present)[105]
- Cori Schumacher, former Carlsbad city councilor from the 1st district (2016–2021)[106]
- Labor unions
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569[107]
- Western States Regional Council of Carpenters[108]
- Organizations
- California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus[101]
- LPAC[83]
- San Diego County Young Democrats[109]
- San Diego Stonewall Democrats[110]
Eleni Kounalakis (D) (withdrawn)
- Executive branch officials
- Roberta Achtenberg, former member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (2011–2016)[83]
- Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State (2009–2013), former U.S. senator from New York (2001–2009), former first lady (1993–2001), and Democratic nominee for president in 2016[111]
- U.S. senators
Barbara Boxer, former U.S. senator from California (1993–2017)[112] (endorsed Villaraigosa after Kounalakis withdrew from the race)[85]
- U.S. representatives
- Nancy Pelosi, CA-11 (1987–present)[113]
- Mike Thompson, CA-04 (1999–present)[111]
- State legislators
- Bill Dodd, SD-03 (2016–2024)[111]
Jacqui Irwin, AD-42 (2014–present)(endorsed Atkins after Kounalakis withdrew from the race)[74]- Evan Low, AD-26 (2014–2024)[83]
- Diane Papan, AD-21 (2022–present)[111]
- Local officials
- Art Agnos, former mayor of San Francisco (1988–1992)[114]
- Kevin McCarty, mayor of Sacramento (2024–present)[111]
Kamala Harris (D) (declined)
- State officials
- Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (2021–present)[15]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Xavier Becerra (D) |
Chad Bianco (R) |
Steve Hilton (R) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Tom Steyer (D) |
Eric Swalwell (D) |
Tony Thurmond (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CivicLens Research [115] | December 14–16, 2025 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 1% | 14% | 18% | 9% | 7% | 12% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 3%[e] | 31% |
| FM3 Research[116][117] | November 30 – December 7, 2025 | 632 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 3% | 17% | 18% | 13% | 6% | 17% | 1% | 3% | 1% | – | 20% |
| Emerson College[118] | December 1–2, 2025 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 4% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 4% | 12% | 2% | 5% | 2% | 5%[f] | 31% |
| Lake Research Partners (D)[119][A] | November 17–20, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 6% | 10% | 17% | 15% | 4% | 10% | 3% | 7% | 3% | 1%[g] | 22% |
| PPIC[120] | November 13–19, 2025 | 1,086 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 14% | 10% | 14% | 21% | – | – | 2% | 8% | 7% | 19%[h] | 5% |
| Tavern Research (D)[121][B] | October 27–30, 2025 | 1,001 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 9% | 16% | 12% | 15% | – | – | 2% | 5% | 3% | 9%[i] | 29% |
| EMC Research (D)[122][C] | October 22–26, 2025 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 9% | 14% | 20% | 16% | 3% | 11% | 3% | 5% | 3% | 16%[j] | |
| Emerson College[123] | October 20–21, 2025 | 900 (LV) | ± 3.19% | 5% | 11% | 16% | 15% | – | – | 3% | 5% | 2% | 4%[k] | 39% |
| Bold Decision[124] | October 16–21, 2025 | 509 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 8% | 14% | 13% | 12% | 7% | – | 1% | 7% | 4% | 4%[l] | 29% |
| Emerson College[125] | April 12–14, 2025 | 899 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 3% | 4% | – | 12% | – | – | 2% | 5% | 3% | 17%[m] | 54% |
Hypothetical polling
with Rick Caruso
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Xavier Becerra (D) |
Chad Bianco (R) |
Rick Caruso (D) |
Steve Hilton (R) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley IGS[126][D] | October 20–27, 2025 | 8141 (RV) | ± 2.0% | 8% | 13% | 3% | 8% | 11% | 5% | 3% | 5% | 44% |
| Emerson College[127] | September 15–16, 2025 | 1000 (RV) | ± 3% | 5% | 8% | 4% | 10% | 16% | 4% | 3% | 10%[n] | 38% |
| Berkeley IGS[128][D] | August 11–17, 2025 | 4950 (RV) | ± 1.5% | 9% | 10% | 4% | 6% | 17% | 4% | 2% | 9%[o] | 38% |
| True Dot/ Politico[129] |
July 28–August 12, 2025 | 875 (RV) | ± 2.6% | 9% | 15% | 6% | 10% | 21% | 9% | 6% | 15%[p] | 9% |
| Emerson College[130] | August 4–5, 2025 | 1000 (RV) | ± 3% | 3% | 7% | 4% | 12% | 18% | 5% | 2% | 13%[q] | 38% |
with Alex Padilla
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Xavier Becerra (D) |
Chad Bianco (R) |
Rick Caruso (D) |
Steve Hilton (R) |
Alex Padilla (D) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[127] | September 15–16, 2025 | 1000 (RV) | ± 3% | 3% | 8% | 4% | 10% | 7% | 16% | 4% | 2% | 9%[r] | 36% |
with Kamala Harris
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Xavier Becerra (D) |
Chad Bianco (R) |
Kamala Harris (D) |
Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
Kyle Langford (R) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[125] | April 12–14, 2025 | 911 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 2% | 4% | 31% | 2% | 2% | 8% | 2% | 10%[s] | 39% |
with John Cox, Lanhee Chen and Rob Bonta
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Toni Atkins (D) |
Xavier Becerra (D) |
Rob Bonta (D) |
Lanhee Chen (R) |
John Cox (R) |
Kamala Harris (D) |
Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Tony Thurmond (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Weekly[131] | February 3–7, 2025 | 692 (RV) | – | 2% | 4% | 7% | 10% | 21% | 23% | 2% | 16% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 10%[t] |
| 1073[u] | 3% | 5% | 9% | 9% | 21% | – | 5% | 26% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 12%[v] |
with Brian Dahle
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Toni Atkins (D) |
Xavier Becerra (D) |
Chad Bianco (R) |
Brian Dahle (R) |
Steve Hilton (R) |
Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Tony Thurmond (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC/CSU Long Beach/ Cal Poly Pomona[132] |
September 12–25, 2024 | 1,685 (LV) | ± 2.4% | 1% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 2% | 14% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 9%[w] | 50% |
| Tulchin Research (D)[133][E] | August 8–12, 2024 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | – | – | – | 13% | 10% | 10% | 4% | 4% | 13% | 7% | – | 39% |
with Steve Garvey
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Toni Atkins (D) |
Xavier Becerra (D) |
Chad Bianco (R) |
Steve Garvey (R) |
Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Tony Thurmond (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough Campaigns[134][F] | November 22–26, 2024 | 1,228 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 1% | 2% | 6% | 18% | 8% | 21% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 23%[x] | 12% |
| 3% | 6% | 14% | 21% | 9% | 24% | 2% | 3% | 6% | 1%[y] | 11% |
"Democratic Primary Poll"[z]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Toni Atkins (D) |
Stephen Cloobeck (D) |
Kamala Harris (D) |
Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Tony Thurmond (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[135][G] | February 10–11, 2025 | 469 (RV) | ± 4.5% | 3% | 1% | 57% | 4% | 9% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 3%[aa] | 17% |
| 3% | 3% | – | 5% | 21% | 3% | 9% | 3% | 9%[ab] | 45% |
Debates
| 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
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[136] | Solid D | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[137] | Solid D | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[138] | Safe D | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[139] | Safe D | December 7, 2025 |
See also
Notes
- ^ Robinson is a member of both the Peace and Freedom Party and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
- ^ Allen initially announced his bid as a member of the American Independent Party.[45]
- ^ When the article was published, San Diego had 8 city councilors, all 8 of whom endorsed Atkins. A ninth councilor was sworn in after the 2024 election.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ "Someone else" with 3%
- ^ Ian Calderon (D) with 1%; "Someone else" and "Not planning to vote" with 2%
- ^ Ian Calderon (D) with 1%
- ^ "Someone else" with 12%; Ian Calderon (D), Sharifah Hardie (R), Brandon Jones (R), Kyle Langford (R), Daniel Mercuri (R), Jimmy Parker (R), and Butch Ware (G) with 1%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Leo Zacky (R) with <1%
- ^ Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Ian Calderon (D) with 1%, "Other" with 7%
- ^ Butch Ware (G) at 2%; Ian Calderon (D) at 1%; "Someone else" with 13%
- ^ Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Ian Calderon (D) with 1%; "Someone else" with 2%
- ^ Ian Calderon (D) and Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 2%
- ^ Eleni Kounalakis (D) with 3%; Toni Atkins (D) and Kyle Langford (R) with 2%; Stephen Cloobeck (D), Brandon Jones (R), Daniel Mercuri (R), and Jimmy Parker (R) with 1%; Sharifah Hardie (R), Butch Ware (G), Michael Younger (D), and Leo Zacky (R) with <1%; "Someone else" with 5%
- ^ Toni Atkins (D), Sharifah Hardie (R), Brandon Jones (R), Kyle Langford (R), Jimmy Parker (R), Tony Thurmond (D) and Butch Ware (G) with 1%; Stephen Cloobeck (D), Daniel Mercuri (R) and Leo Zacky (R) with <.5%; "Someone else" with 2%
- ^ Brian Dahle (R) and Richard Grenell (R) with 2%; Toni Atkins (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 1%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with <1%; "Someone else" with 3%
- ^ Eleni Kounalakis (D) with 7%; Toni Atkins (D) with 4%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 2%
- ^ Eleni Kounalakis (D) with 3%; Toni Atkins (D) and Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 2%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 1%; "Someone else" with 5%
- ^ Tony Thurmond (D), Toni Atkins (D), Stephen Cloobeck (D), Sharifah Hardie (R), Daniel Mercuri (R), Kyle Langford (R) and Jimmy Parker (R) with 1%; Brandon Jones (R), Leo Zacky (R) and Butch Ware (G) with <.5%; "Someone else" with 2%
- ^ "Someone else" with 3%; Betty Yee (D), Stephen Cloobeck (D), Toni Atkins (D), Tony Thurmond (D), Sharifah Hardie (R), Brandon Jones (R), and Jimmy Parker (R) with 1%; Daniel Mercuri (R), Butch Ware (G), Michael Younger (D), and Leo Zacky (R) with <.5%
- ^ Rick Caruso (D) with 8%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 2%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
- ^ Total says 1073, but numbers add up to 1071
- ^ Rick Caruso (D) with 8%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 4%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
- ^ Rob Bonta (D) with 4%; Rick Caruso (D) with 3%; Lanhee Chen (R) with 2%
- ^ Brian Dahle (R) with 9%; Rob Bonta (D) with 6%; Rick Caruso with 5%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 3%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
- ^ Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 1%
- ^ Survey asked only Democratic voters. In California, all candidates run on the same ballot in a "blanket primary."
- ^ "Someone else" with 3%; Michael Younger (D) with 1%
- ^ "Someone else" with 8%; Michael Younger (D) with 1%
Partisan and media clients
- ^ Poll sponsored by Thurmond's campaign
- ^ Poll sponsored by Becerra's campaign
- ^ Poll sponsored by an unnamed group supporting Swalwell's campaign
- ^ a b Poll sponsored by The Los Angeles Times
- ^ Poll sponsored by Villaraigosa's campaign
- ^ Poll sponsored by Woman Up
- ^ Poll sponsored by Inside California Politics and The Hill
References
- ^ Pho, Brandon (September 23, 2025). "San Jose school trustee enters race for California governor". San José Spotlight. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Primack, Dan (August 25, 2025). "Exclusive: Tech entrepreneur joins California gov race". Axios. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
- ^ Mason, Melanie (April 2, 2025). "Xavier Becerra announces bid for California governor". Politico. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Crosnoe, Alexandra (June 30, 2025). "UCLA student Carolina Buhler to compete in 2026 California gubernatorial primary". Daily Bruin. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Nixon, Nicole (September 23, 2025). "Former California Assembly leader Ian Calderon jumps into governor's race". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
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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.
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McCarthy dismissed a run for California governor in 2026
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One of Swalwell's California colleagues, Rep. Ro Khanna, endorsed Tom Steyer in the governor's race on Tuesday, saying the billionaire climate philanthropist is "for taxing billionaires like himself. He's for getting all corporate money out of Sacramento. And he's for passing single payer." Khanna previously told Playbook he had talked with Steyer as well as former Rep. Katie Porter about the race, and was prioritizing finding someone who supported single-payer health care.
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Thurmond has been endorsed by several former and current state lawmakers and U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman.
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Betty Yee has been endorsed for Governor by Progressive Democrats of America – California (PDA-CA).
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External links
Official campaign websites
- Ethan Agarwal (D) for Governor
- Ché Ahn (R) for Governor
- Xavier Becerra (D) for Governor
- Chad Bianco (R) for Governor
- Sophia Brink (R) for Governor
- Carolina Buhler (D) for Governor
- Ian Calderon (D) for Governor
- Derek Grasty for Governor
- Sharifah Hardie (R) for Governor
- Steve Hilton (R) for Governor
- Zoltan Istvan (D) for Governor
- Brandon Jones (R) for Governor
- Kyle Langford (R) for Governor
- Daniel Mercuri (R) for Governor
- Ethan Penner (I) for Governor
- Thunder Parley (D) for Governor
- Katie Porter (D) for Governor
- Raji Rab (D) for Governor
- Ramsey Robinson (PSL) for Governor
- David Serpa (R) for Governor
- Tom Steyer (D) for Governor
- Eric Swalwell (D) for Governor
- Nicholas Thompson (L) for Governor
- Tony Thurmond (D) for Governor
- Ryan Tillman (I) 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