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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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) [3]
- Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present)[4]
- Jesse Perez, former Treasurer of 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 L. Younger, Vice President, Calbright College (2022–present) and former Deputy Director of Workforce for the State of California [9]
Publicly expressed interest
change- Xavier Becerra, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–present), former Attorney General of California (2017–2021), and former U.S. Representative (1993–2017)[10]
- Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California (2021–present)[11]
- Rick Caruso, real estate developer and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022[12]
Potential
change- Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (2022–present), former U.S. Representative from California's 37th congressional district (2011–2022), and former Speaker of the California State Assembly (2008–2010)[13]
- Laphonza Butler, U.S. Senator (2023–present)[14]
- Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States (2021–present) and former U.S. Senator for California (2017–2021)[13]
- Katie Porter, U.S. representative for California's 47th congressional district (2019–present)[15]
Withdrew
change- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)[8]
Republican Party
changePublicly expressed interest
change- Chad Bianco, Sheriff of Riverside (2019-present)[16]
Potential
change- Lanhee Chen, policy advisor and runner-up for state controller in 2022[17]
- Brian Dahle, state senator and runner-up for governor in 2022[17]
- Steve Hilton, political commentator and policy advisor[17]
Declined
change- Kevin McCarthy, former U.S. representative for California's 20th congressional district (2007-2023) and former Speaker of the House (2023)[18]
Independent
changePotential
change- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, actor, businessman, and professional wrestler. [19]
Endorsements
changeReferences
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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle https://www.michaellyounger.com/. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ Cadelego, Christopher; Lippman, Daniel (April 23, 2024). "Becerra plots political future after Biden administration". Politico. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 White, Jeremy B.; Korte, Lara; Brown, Matthew; Castanos, Ramon (May 25, 2023). "Kounalakis, Clinton and California clout". Politico. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ↑ "Party-switching billionaire targets California Republicans". POLITICO. 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Koehn, Josh (2023-04-24). "Eleni Kounalakis Running for California Governor. Will Kamala Harris Join Her?". The San Francisco Standard. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ↑ Jones, Blake; Cadelago, Christopher; Gardiner, Dustin; Korte, Lana (October 12, 2023). "Laphonza Butler has options". Politico. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ↑ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (January 10, 2023). "Rep. Katie Porter launches a U.S. Senate bid". Orange County Register. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ↑ Cadelago, Christopher (11 April 2024). "Firebrand sheriff and Fox News favorite considering run for California governor". Politico. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Willon, Phil (2024-08-09). "Who is running for California governor in 2026? Meet the potential candidates". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
- ↑ Solender, Andrew (13 February 2024). "McCarthy floats future run for office in rare Capitol Hill visit". Axios. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ↑ Cain, Sian (10 November 2023). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson: I was asked to run for US president by multiple political parties". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Mason, Melanie (January 19, 2024). "California Senate leader aims to be the state's first woman and LGBTQ+ governor". POLITICO.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 Rosenhall, Lauren (May 25, 2023). "Hillary Clinton backs Eleni Kounalakis for California governor". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ↑ 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