California’s 2026 Gubernatorial Race
With Governor Gavin Newsom reaching his term limit, California’s political landscape faces a significant shift. The 2026 gubernatorial race has drawn attention nationwide due to its open nature and potential to make history. The state has never elected a female governor and only once a person of color.
Initially quiet, the governor’s race has become a political thriller. Scandals, attack ads, and a surprise candidate now dominate the scene. This is your guide to understanding the dynamics of the 2026 California governor’s race. For the first time in 25 years, a clear front-runner is absent, leading to an influx of political advertising.
The Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is concluding his second term. California law prevents him from seeking re-election. The diverse field of candidates brings a possibility of historical change. Notable early speculations about entries from Kamala Harris and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla eventually led to their withdrawal.
Xavier Becerra
Top Job: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Biggest Splash: Filed around 120 lawsuits against the Trump Administration as California’s Attorney General.
Details: Becerra lives in Sacramento with his family. A Democrat, he announced his campaign in April 2025.
Becerra’s public service journey began in Massachusetts, leading to roles in state and national politics. He became the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, participating in significant health crises management, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chad Bianco
Top Job: Riverside County Sheriff
Biggest Splash: Endorsed Donald Trump, stating playfully in an Instagram post about ‘a felon in the White House.’
Details: Bianco, a Republican, resides in Riverside and began his campaign in February 2025.
Bianco’s political stance involves strong law-and-order advocacy. Previously involved with the Oath Keepers, he has been both critical of Democratic policies and supportive of Trump and conservative leaders.
Steve Hilton
Top Job: Former Senior Advisor to British PM David Cameron
Biggest Splash: Fox News Commentator
Details: Hilton was born in England and moved to California in 2012. A Republican, his campaign began in April 2025.
Hilton worked within the Conservative Party in the UK before moving to the U.S. He’s been involved in academia and media, supporting conservative policies but with a modern approach.
Matt Mahan
Top Job: Mayor of San José
Biggest Splash: Advocated for Proposition 36, increasing penalties for theft and fentanyl offenses.
Details: A Democrat, Mahan lives with his family in San José and launched his campaign in January 2026.
Mahan’s moderate governance as mayor has been noted, showing a willingness to break from party lines on certain issues like Proposition 36.
Katie Porter
Top Job: U.S. House Representative from Orange County
Biggest Splash: Known for using a whiteboard to challenge executive leaders.
Details: Porter is a law professor and a single mother. She announced her campaign in March 2025.
Porter’s expertise in questioning corporate leaders and pushing for legislative changes has earned her national recognition.
Tom Steyer
Top Job: Billionaire Hedge Fund Founder
Biggest Splash: Ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
Details: Residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Steyer is a known supporter of Democratic causes. His campaign began in November 2025.
As a prominent philanthropist, Steyer has supported a range of progressive measures and seeks to address issues like housing and education head-on.
Tony Thurmond
Top Job: California Superintendent of Public Instruction
Biggest Splash: Opposing policies that required disclosure of students’ gender identities.
Details: Thurmond became a candidate in September 2023 with a focus on economic equality.
Thurmond’s experiences growing up have fueled his dedication to education and social justice.
Antonio Villaraigosa
Top Job: Former Mayor of Los Angeles
Biggest Splash: Enlarged the LAPD force and reduced crime substantially.
Details: A Democrat from Los Angeles, Villaraigosa seeks to leverage his extensive political experience in the gubernatorial race, having launched his campaign in July 2024.
Villaraigosa’s track record includes managing difficult political situations and supporting transformative urban policies.
Financial Considerations
Campaign financing plays a significant role in this race. Candidates are working to amass funds to sustain their efforts as the race progresses.
Dropouts and Decliners
Numerous potential candidates have either dropped out or declined to run, altering the race dynamics. High-profile figures like Kamala Harris and Alex Padilla decided against joining the race.
Phil Willon is the California politics editor based in the Sacramento bureau of the Los Angeles Times and oversees coverage of state politics and the state capital. Seema Mehta is a veteran political writer for the Los Angeles Times covering national and state politics, currently writing about the 2026 gubernatorial contest and critical California congressional races that may determine control of the House in this year’s midterm election.