2026 California gubernatorial election

2026 election for California governor

The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of California.[1] Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom is term limited through the state's constitution and cannot run for reelection to a third term.[2]

2026 California gubernatorial election

← 2022 November 3, 2026 (2026-11-03) 2030 →

Incumbent Governor

Gavin Newsom
Democratic



Over a dozen candidates have already declared a campaign, with the field of candidates expected to expand.

Candidates

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Democratic Party

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Declared

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Publicly expressed interest

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Potential

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Withdrew

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Declined

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Republican Party

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Declared

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Publicly expressed interest

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Potential

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Declined

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Green Party

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Declared

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No party preference

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Publicly expressed interest

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  • Ethan Penner, real estate investor (decision expected by June 2025)[33]

Declined

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Primary election

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Endorsements

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Polling

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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[51] April 12–14, 2025 911 (LV) ± 3.2 4% 31% 2% 8% 2% 1% 5%[b] 39%
Emerson College[52][A][c] February 10–11, 2025 469 (RV) ± 4.5% 57% 4% 9% 4% 2% 9%[d] 15%
5% 21% 9% 3% 18%[e] 44%
Capitol Weekly[53] February 3–7, 2025 1,200 (RV) 8% 21% 23% 2% 16% 2% 2% 26%[f]
8% 21% 5% 26% 3% 3% 32%[g]
Breakthrough Campaigns[54] November 22–26, 2024 1,228 (LV) ± 2.8% 6% 5% 9% 18% 8% 21% 3% 3% 15%[h] 12%
14% 6% 21% 9% 24% 3% 6% 6%[i] 11%
USC/CSU Long Beach/Cal Poly Pomona[55] September 12–25, 2024 1,685 (LV) ± 2.4% 5% 5% 3% 2% 14% 3% 3% 15%[j] 50%
Tulchin Research (D)[56][B] August 8–12, 2024 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 13% 10% 13% 7% 18%[k] 40%

Debates

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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

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

Sources

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  1. "2026 United States gubernatorial elections", Wikipedia, 2023-01-21, retrieved 2023-01-27
  2. "Article V, California Constitution". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  3. 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. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  4. Mason, Melanie (April 2, 2025). "Xavier Becerra announces bid for California governor". Politico. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  5. Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (November 5, 2024). "Hospitality businessman Stephen Cloobeck launches California governor bid". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  6. Cadelago, Christopher (April 24, 2023). "Eleni Kounalakis first to launch campaign for California governor in 2026". Politico. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Daniels, Eugene; Cadelago, Christopher (March 7, 2025). "Kamala Harris sets a deadline for her next move". Politico. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  8. Rosenhall, Laurel (11 March 2025). "Katie Porter Will Run for California Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 March 2025. Ms. Porter will drop out of the race if Ms. Harris runs, a spokesman confirmed.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Bollag, Sophia (April 24, 2023). "Former California Controller Betty Yee says she will run to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  12. "Alumni Profile: Michael Younger '02". Stevenson School. April 15, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  13. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (February 17, 2025). "Morning Digest: A Georgia Republican says he alone can raise unlimited sums. His rivals have other ideas". The Downballot. Retrieved February 17, 2025. Developer Rick Caruso...now tells Puck's Peter Hamby he's considering a campaign for California's open governorship.
  14. Rosenhall, Laurel (2025-02-19). "Harris Has Scrambled the California Governor's Race Without Entering It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Gardiner, Dustin; Jones, Blake (February 5, 2025). "Rob Bonta is keeping his day job". Politico. Retrieved May 9, 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Horseman, Jeff (February 17, 2025). "Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announces California governor run in 2026". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  18. Symon, Evan (November 19, 2024). "Where the Ultra-Competitive 2026 California Gubernatorial Race Currently Stands". California Globe. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  19. Jones, Blake (April 21, 2025). "Former Fox News host Steve Hilton is running for California governor". Politico. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  20. Baños, Alejandro (March 12, 2025). "Katie Porter officially announces her candidacy for California governor". VOZ.
  21. Semyon, Cassie (April 2, 2025). "Becerra joins crowded field in bid to be California's next governor". NY1. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  22. Sparks, Jennifer (2025-03-19). "Politics and The Pulpit –Daniel Mercuri- March 19, 2025". KHTS. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  23. 23.0 23.1 Medina, Alex (July 23, 2024). "Antonio Villaraigosa announces another run for California governor". Boyle Heights Beat. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  24. Hall, Phil (2024-11-18). "Grant Cardone Considers Run for California Governor". Weekly Real Estate News. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  25. Bollag, Sophia (December 9, 2024). "The California governors race is already crowded. Will these heavy hitters jump in?". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  26. Vakil, Caroline (February 14, 2025). "Grenell would consider run for California governor if Harris enters race". The Hill. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  27. Sforza, Lauren (November 25, 2024). "Trump ally Caitlyn Jenner taunts Kamala Harris". NJ.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  28. Colombo, Madison (March 28, 2025). "Fitness mogul Jake Steinfeld seriously considers run for California governor after losing home to wildfires". Fox News. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  29. Nelson, Laura (November 13, 2024). "California Gov. Kamala Harris? New poll finds she'd have a clear advantage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  30. "Mel Gibson 'Flattered' by Governor Poll Favorability, but Has Zero Interest". TMZ. 2025-03-18. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  31. Solender, Andrew (13 February 2024). "McCarthy floats future run for office in rare Capitol Hill visit". Axios. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024. McCarthy dismissed a run for California governor in 2026
  32. "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.
  33. Gittelsohn, John (April 7, 2025). "CMBS Pioneer Ethan Penner Considers Run for California Governor". Bloomberg News. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  34. BREAKING: Nicole Shanahan Will NOT Run For Governor Of California. The Steve Hilton Show. March 21, 2025 – via YouTube.
  35. Larreal, Samuel; Alfred, Mark (March 11, 2025). "Silicon Valley lawmakers aren't racing to back latest governor candidate". San José Spotlight (in partnership with NOTUS). Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 36.6 Tefu, Bo (August 6, 2024). "Asm. Akilah Weber Endorses Sen. Toni Atkins for Governor". Post News Group. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 Bajko, Matthew S. (June 17, 2024). "LPAC early endorses lesbian 2026 CA governor candidate Atkins". Bay Area Reporter. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  38. "IBEW 569 Endorses Toni Atkins for Governor!". IBEW 569. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 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.
  40. 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.
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 Gligich, Daniel (June 6, 2024). "Coalition urges Riverside Sheriff Bianco to run for governor". San Joaquin Valley Sun. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 Horseman, Jeff (July 9, 2024). "Can Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco become California's governor in 2026?". Los Angeles Daily News. SCNG. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 43.5 43.6 43.7 "Coalition Organizes to Draft Riverside Sheriff for Governor". California County News. June 19, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  44. Norman, Nicole (February 17, 2025). "MAGA sheriff running for CA governor vows to end 'sanctuary' laws". Politico. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  45. Horseman, Jeff. "Conservative Southern California sheriff announces governor run in 2026". The Mercury News. BANG. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  46. Mizell, Preston (April 21, 2025). "Media personality Steve Hilton enters California gubernatorial race". Fox News. Retrieved April 25, 2025. The media personality was quickly endorsed by former presidential candidate and current Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
  47. 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 47.5 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.
  48. 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.
  49. Koehn, Josh (2023-04-24). "Eleni Kounalakis Running for California Governor. Will Kamala Harris Join Her?". The San Francisco Standard. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  50. 50.0 50.1 50.2 Mehta, Seema (April 10, 2025). "Democrats running for California governor take digs at Kamala Harris' delayed decision on the race". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  51. Mumford, Camille (April 17, 2025). "April 2025 California Poll: Harris Leads Hypothetical Gubernatorial Primary, 50% of Voters Think She Should Not Run". Emerson College Polling.
  52. "February 2025 California Poll: Kamala Harris Emerges as Democratic Frontrunner for Governor". Emerson College Polling. February 13, 2025.
  53. Paul, Mitchell (February 12, 2025). "CA 120: Dems in a funk, but Harris and Newsom could still shine". Capitol Weekly.
  54. Vermeyen, Lindsay (December 9, 2024). "State of the California Governor Race". Politico.
  55. "The California Elections and Policy Poll (CEPP): Statewide Poll of the California Electorate, poll conducted September 12-25, 2024" (PDF). University of Southern California. September 30, 2024.
  56. Korte, Lara; Gardiner, Dustin (August 29, 2024). "Assembly pushes back on Newsom". Politico.

Other websites

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Official campaign websites