2026 California gubernatorial election
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 Edit
Eligibility and requirements Edit
Section 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.[3]
Possible debate topics Edit
Abortion Edit
The 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.
Crime Edit
Due 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 Edit
Democratic Party Edit
Declared Edit
- Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present)[4]
- Jesse Perez, FFA Secretary (2023–present) and former FFA Treasurer (2022–2023)[5]
- Betty Yee, California Democratic Party Vice Chair (2021–present) and former California State Controller (2015–2023)[6]
- Tony Fitzpatrick, former 2026 Los Angeles mayoral candidate, LGBTQIA+ activist & political activist [7]
Publicly expressed interest Edit
- Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California (2021–present)[8]
- Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013)[9]
- Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2019–present)[10]
Potential Edit
- Toni Atkins, President pro tempore of the California State Senate (2018–present) from the 39th district (2016–present)[4]
- 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)[11]
- Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States (2021–present) and former U.S. Senator for California (2017–2021)[11]
Withdrew Edit
- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)[6]
Republican Party Edit
Publicly Expressed Interest Edit
- Lanhee Chen, Stanford University professor and runner-up for California State Controller in 2022[12]
Endorsements Edit
References Edit
- ↑ "2026 United States gubernatorial elections", Wikipedia, 2023-01-21, retrieved 2023-01-27
- ↑ "Article V, California Constitution". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ↑ "Article V, California Constitution". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 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.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 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.
- ↑ "Tony for California Governor". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 White, Jeremy B.; Korte, Lara; Brown, Matthew; Castanos, Ramon (May 25, 2023). "Kounalakis, Clinton and California clout". Politico. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ↑ "'I want to serve': Former LA Mayor Villaraigosa not ruling out another run for governor in 2026". Fox 40 News. May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ↑ Mays, MacKenzie (2023-07-06). "California Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond considers run for governor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Koehn, Josh (2023-04-24). "Eleni Kounalakis Running for California Governor. Will Kamala Harris Join Her?". The San Francisco Standard. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ↑ "The Golden State Watchdog PAC, founded by Lanhee Chen". Golden State Watchdog PAC. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 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. Retrieved May 25, 2023.