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 change
Eligibility and requirements change
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.[2]
Possible debate topics change
Abortion change
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.
Right to bear arms change
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 change
Democratic Party change
Declared 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]
- Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2019–present)[5]
- Betty Yee, California Democratic Party vice chair (2021–present) and former California State Controller (2015–2023)[6]
Publicly expressed interest change
- Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California (2021–present)[7]
- Rick Caruso, real estate developer and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022[8]
- Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) and candidate for governor in 2018[9]
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)[10]
- 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)[11]
- Laphonza Butler, U.S. Senator (2023–present)[12]
- Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States (2021–present) and former U.S. Senator for California (2017–2021)[10]
- Katie Porter, U.S. representative for California's 47th congressional district (2019–present)[13]
Withdrew change
- Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)[6]
Republican Party change
Potential change
Publicly expressed interest change
Declined change
- Kevin McCarthy, former U.S. representative for California's 20th congressional district (2007-2023) and former Speaker of the House (2023)[15]
Endorsements change
References 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.
- ↑ Flores, Hilda (September 26, 2023). "State Superintendent Tony Thurmond officially announces run for governor". KCRA. Retrieved September 26, 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 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.
- ↑ "'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.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Koehn, Josh (2023-04-24). "Eleni Kounalakis Running for California Governor. Will Kamala Harris Join Her?". The San Francisco Standard. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ↑ Cadelego, Christopher; Gardiner, Dustin; Cancryn, Adam (April 9, 2024). "Biden could lose key Cabinet secretary to California governor's race". Politico. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Solender, Andrew (13 February 2024). "McCarthy floats future run for office in rare Capitol Hill visit". Axios. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Mason, Melanie (January 19, 2024). "California Senate leader aims to be the state's first woman and LGBTQ+ governor". POLITICO.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 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.
Other websites change
- Official campaign websites