2026 California gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 California gubernatorial election

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Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom Democratic

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

Democratic Party

Declared

• 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]
• Stephen Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts ^[2]
• Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present) ^[3] (will withdraw if Harris runs) ^[4]
• 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) ^[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

• Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022 ^[10]

Potential

• 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 (decision expected in summer 2025) ^{[13] [4]}

Withdrew

• Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor) ^[8]

Declined

• 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

Declared

• Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present) ^[16]
• Brandon Jones, marketing agency founder ^[17]
• Sharifah Hardie, business consultant ^[18]
• Jimmy Parker, former judge ^[19]
• Leo Zacky, vice president of Zacky Farms and candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022 ^[19]

Publicly expressed interest

• Grant Cardone, private equity fund manager ^[20]
• 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) ^[21]
• 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 ^[22]

Potential

• Lanhee Chen, policy advisor and runner-up for state controller in 2022 ^{[23] [24]}
• Mel Gibson, actor and filmmaker ^[25]

Declined

• Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023) from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023) ^[26]

Green Party

Declared

• Butch Ware, associate professor and nominee for Vice President in 2024 ^[27]

No party preference

Declared

• Javen Allen, actor ^[28]

Declined

• Nicole Shanahan, attorney and running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 presidential election ^[29]

Primary election

Endorsements

Toni Atkins (D)

Statewide officials

• Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State (2021–present) ^[1]

State senators

• Catherine Blakespear, SD-38 (2022–present) ^[30]
• Christine Kehoe, SD-39 (2004–2012) ^[1]
• Steve Padilla, SD-18 (2022–present) ^[30]
• Akilah Weber, SD-39 (2024–present) ^[30]

State assemblymembers

• David Alvarez, AD-80 (2020–present) ^[30]
• Tasha Boerner, AD-77 (2018–present) ^[30]
• Brian Maienschein, AD-76 (2012–2024) ^[30]
• Chris Ward, AD-78 (2020–present) ^[30]

Local officials

• Todd Gloria, mayor of San Diego (2020–present) ^[31]
• Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County supervisor (2020–present) ^[31]

Labor unions

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 ^[32]

Organizations

• LPAC ^[31]

Chad Bianco (R)

U.S. representatives

• Ken Calvert, CA-41 (1993–present) ^[33]
• Darrell Issa, CA-48 (2021–present) ^[34]

State senators

• Dennis Hollingsworth, SD-36 (2002–2010) ^[35]
• Kelly Seyarto, SD-32 (2022–present) ^[36]
• Scott Wilk, SD-21 (2016–2024) ^[35]

State assemblymembers

• Juan Alanis, AD–22 (2022-present) ^[34]
• Leticia Castillo, AD-58 (2024–present) ^[37]
• Phillip Chen, AD-59 (2016–present) ^[35]
• Jordan Cunningham, AD-35 (2016–2022) ^[38]
• Diane Dixon, AD-72 (2022–present) ^[38]
• Bill Essayli, AD-63 (2022–present) ^[37]
• Heath Flora, AD-09 (2022–present) ^[38]
• Jeff Gonzalez, AD-36 (2024–present) ^[37]
• Tom Lackey, AD-34 (2014–present) ^[39]
• Devon Mathis, AD-33 (2014-2024) ^[34]
• Joe Patterson, AD-05 (2022–present) ^[38]
• Kate Sanchez, AD-71 (2022–present) ^[38]
• Greg Wallis, AD-47 (2022–present) ^[37]

Local officials

• Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present) ^[35]
• Paul Miyamoto, San Francisco Sheriff (2020–present) (Democratic) ^[38]
• 36 other county sheriffs ^[38]
• 2 county district attorneys ^[38]

Eleni Kounalakis (D)

Federal 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 ^[40]

U.S. senators

• Barbara Boxer, California (1993–2017) ^[41]

U.S. representatives

• Luz Rivas, CA-29 (2025–present) ^[40]
• Mike Thompson, CA-04 (1999–present) ^[40]

State senators

• Bill Dodd, SD-03 (2016–2024) ^[40]

State assemblymembers

• Evan Low, AD-26 (2014–2024) ^[31]
• Diane Papan, AD-21 (2022–present) ^[40]

Local officials

• Art Agnos, former mayor of San Francisco (1988–1992) ^[42]
• Kevin McCarty, mayor of Sacramento (2024–present) ^[40]
• Roberta Achtenberg, former San Francisco supervisor (1991–1993) ^[31]

Notable individuals

• Markos Kounalakis, journalist and Second Gentleman of California (2019–present) (her husband) ^[43]
• Angelo Tsakopoulos, real estate developer (her father) ^[41]

Tony Thurmond (D)

State senators

• Sabrina Cervantes, SD-31 (2024–present) ^[31]

Polling

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 [44] [A] [b]	February 10–11, 2025	469 (RV)	± 4.5%	–	–	–	–	–	57%	4%	9%	4%	2%	9% [c]	15%
				–	–	–	–	–	–	5%	21%	9%	3%	18% [d]	44%
Capitol Weekly [45]	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 [46]	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 [47]	September 12–25, 2024	1,685 (LV)	± 2.4%	5%	–	–	5%	–	3%	2%	14%	3%	3%	15% [i]	50%
Tulchin Research (D) [48] [B]	August 8–12, 2024	800 (LV)	± 3.5%	–	–	–	13%	–	–	10%	–	13%	7%	18% [j]	40%

Debates

2026 California gubernatorial primary debate

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 [49]	Solid D	January 23, 2025
Inside Elections [50]	Solid D	February 6, 2025

See also

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. This poll was stated to be for a "Democratic primary", which does not exist in California
3. Toni Atkins (D) and "Someone else" with 3%; Stephen Cloobeck (D), Tony Thurmond (D), and Michael Younger (D) with 1%
4. "Someone else" with 8%; Toni Atkins (D) Stephen Cloobeck (D), and Tony Thurmond (D) with 3%; and Michael Younger (D) with 1%
5. 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%
6. 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%
7. 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%
8. Toni Atkins (D) with 3%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 2%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 1%
9. 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%
10. Steve Hilton (R) with 10%; Toni Atkins (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 4%

Partisan clients

1. This poll was sponsored by Inside California Politics and The Hill
2. Poll sponsored by Villaraigosa's campaign

References

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4. Daniels, Eugene; Cadelago, Christopher (March 7, 2025). "Kamala Harris sets a deadline for her next move". Politico . Retrieved March 7, 2025.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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9. "Alumni Profile: Michael Younger '02". Stevenson School . April 15, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
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14. 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.
15. 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.
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21. Vakil, Caroline (February 14, 2025). "Grenell would consider run for California governor if Harris enters race". The Hill . Retrieved February 14, 2025.
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26. 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
27. "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.
28. "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.
29. "BREAKING: Nicole Shanahan Will NOT Run For Governor Of California". YouTube. March 21, 2025.
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33. 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.
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37. 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.
38. "Coalition Organizes to Draft Riverside Sheriff for Governor". California County News. June 19, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
39. Norman, Nicole (February 17, 2025). "MAGA sheriff running for CA governor vows to end 'sanctuary' laws". Politico . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
40. 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.
41. 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.
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49. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
50. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Toni Atkins (D) for Governor
• Chad Bianco (R) for Governor
• Stephen Cloobeck (D) for Governor
• Sharifah Hardie (R) for Governor
• Eleni Kounalakis (D) 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