2026 California gubernatorial election
2026 election for the governorship in California
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]
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Popular election Majority of votes needed to win | |||||||
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Background
changeEligibility and requirements
changeSection 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
changeAbortion
changeThe 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
changeDue 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
changeDemocratic Party
changeDeclared
change- Toni Atkins, former President pro tempore of the California State Senate (2018–2024) from the 39th district (2016–present) and former Speaker of the California State Assembly (2012–2016) from the 78th district (2010–2016)[3]
- Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present) and former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary (2010–2013)[4]
- Jesse Perez, former Treasurer of the Future Farmers of America (2022–2023)[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- Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–present), former attorney general of California (2017–2021), and former U.S. representative (1993–2017)[10]
- Rick Caruso, real estate developer and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022[11]
Potential
change- Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California (2021–present)[12]
- Laphonza Butler, U.S. senator (2023–present)[13]
- Katie Porter, U.S. representative from California's 47th congressional district (2018–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[12][14]
Withdrew
change- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)[8]
Republican Party
changeDeclared
change- Sharifah Hardie, business consultant[15]
- Leo Zacky, vice president of Zacky Farms and candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022[16]
Publicly expressed interest
change- Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)[17]
- Steve Hilton, political commentator and former adviser to UK prime minister David Cameron (2010–2012)[18][19]
Potential
change- Lanhee Chen, policy advisor and runner-up for state controller in 2022[12]
- Brian Dahle, state senator and runner-up for governor in 2022[12]
Declined
change- Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023) from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023)[20]
No party preference
changePublicly expressed interest
change- Nicole Shanahan, attorney and candidate for vice president in 2024[21]
Endorsements
changePolling
changeHypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Toni Atkins (D) |
Xavier Becerra (D) |
Chad Bianco (R) |
Rob Bonta (D) |
Rick Caruso (D) |
Lanhee Chen (R) |
Brian Dahle (R) |
Steve Hilton (R) |
Eleni Kounalakis (D) |
Katie Porter (D) |
Tony Thurmond (D) |
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) |
Betty Yee (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University, Long Beach | September 12-25, 2024 | 1685 (LV) | ±2.4% | 1% | 3% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 4% | 2% | 14% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 50% |
| Tulchin Research[A] | August 8-12, 2024 | 800 (LV) | ±3.5% | 4% | – | – | – | – | – | 13% | 10% | 10% | – | 4% | 13% | 7% | 40% |
- ↑ Poll sponsored by Villaraigosa's campaign
Notes
change- ↑ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
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. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ↑ Cadelago, Christopher (April 24, 2023). "Eleni Kounalakis first to launch campaign for California governor in 2026". Politico. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ↑ Charrier, Emily (May 24, 2023). "Gubernatorial candidate Betty Yee swings by Sonoma". The Sonoma Index-Tribune. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ↑ Flores, Hilda (September 26, 2023). "State Superintendent Tony Thurmond officially announces run for governor". KCRA. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ↑ Gans, Jared (23 July 2024). "Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa again running for California governor". The Hill. 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. 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.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Cadelego, Christopher; Lippman, Daniel (April 23, 2024). "Becerra plots political future after Biden administration". Politico. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ↑ Cadelago, Christopher; Mason, Melanie (2023-10-05). "Party-switching billionaire targets California Republicans". Politico. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Willon, Phil (2024-08-09). "Who is running for California governor in 2026? Meet the potential candidates". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
- ↑ Jones, Blake; Cadelago, Christopher; Gardiner, Dustin; Korte, Lana (October 12, 2023). "Laphonza Butler has options". Politico. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ↑ Kang, Hanna (October 1, 2024). "Could Rep. Katie Porter be voters' top choice for governor in 2026? Here's what new polling suggests". The Orange County Register. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Sharifah Hardie Introduces 'California Forward' Plan as DNC Commences, Offering New Solutions for Economic Growth" (Press release). August 18, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ↑ Medina, Alex (July 23, 2024). "Antonio Villaraigosa announces another run for California governor". Boyle Heights Beat. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ↑ Cadelago, Christopher (11 April 2024). "Firebrand sheriff and Fox News favorite considering run for California governor". Politico. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ↑ Smith, Benedict (August 27, 2024). "David Cameron's former adviser Steve Hilton considers run for governor of California". The Daily Telegraph.
- ↑ Cadelago, Christopher (August 27, 2024). "California Dream: Ex-Fox News host is mulling run for governor of the Golden State". Politico.
- ↑ Solender, Andrew (13 February 2024). "McCarthy floats future run for office in rare Capitol Hill visit". Axios. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
McCarthy dismissed a run for California governor in 2026
- ↑ Waddick, Karissa (2024-08-20). "RFK Jr.'s campaign weighing whether to drop out, 'join forces' with Trump". USA Today. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
As for her own political future, Shanahan alluded to a potential 2026 campaign for governor in California.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 Tefu, Bo (August 6, 2024). "Asm. Akilah Weber Endorses Sen. Toni Atkins for Governor". Post News Group. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ↑ "IBEW 569 Endorses Toni Atkins for Governor!". IBEW 569. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ↑ Bajko, Matthew S. (June 17, 2024). "LPAC early endorses lesbian 2026 CA governor candidate Atkins". The Bay Area Reporter. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 Rosenhall, Lauren (May 25, 2023). "Hillary Clinton backs Eleni Kounalakis for California governor". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Cite error: The named reference
bontawas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ Cite error: The named reference
agnoswas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ Porter, Jacque (April 26, 2023). "Who is California gubernatorial candidate Eleni Kounalakis?". Fox 40 News Los Angeles. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
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
- 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