who is running for governor of california
Several prominent candidates are currently running to replace Gavin Newsom as governor of California in the 2026 election, with no single clear frontrunner yet.
Quick Scoop: The 2026 California Governor’s Race
The 2026 race is an open contest because Gavin Newsom is term‑limited and cannot run again. The primary is scheduled for June 2, 2026, with the top two finishers advancing to the November 3, 2026 general election regardless of party.
Leading, Well‑Covered Candidates
News coverage and recent polling consistently highlight a core set of better‑known contenders.
- Eric Swalwell (D) – A Bay Area member of Congress running on themes like lowering costs and positioning himself as a defender of California against the Trump administration.
- Katie Porter (D) – Former Orange County congressmember, known nationally for aggressive oversight hearings, emphasizing affordability, corporate accountability, and economic fairness.
- Tony Thurmond (D) – California’s superintendent of public instruction, focusing on funding public education and helping working‑class families stay in the state.
- Chad Bianco (R) – Riverside County sheriff, polling in the lead or near the top among Republicans and running on a tougher‑on‑crime, more conservative platform.
- Steve Hilton (R) – Conservative commentator and former adviser to ex‑Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, presenting himself as a reform‑minded outsider.
Recent polling shows these five figures frequently clustered at or near the top of early surveys, with a large share of voters still undecided.
Other Named Candidates In The Field
A wider field of declared candidates appears in official filings and media roundups, though not all are polling strongly statewide.
Some other notable or named contenders include:
- Betty Yee (D) – Former state controller and current Democratic Party vice chair, associated with progressive fiscal and social policies.
- Antonio Villaraigosa (D) – Former Los Angeles mayor and past gubernatorial candidate, emphasizing infrastructure, jobs, and public safety.
- Tom Steyer (D) – Billionaire climate activist and former presidential candidate, focused on climate change and economic inequality.
- Independent and minor‑party candidates – Several lesser‑known Republicans, independents, Libertarians, Greens, and others have filed to run, giving voters a long ballot even if media coverage centers on a handful of big names.
Media outlets in early 2026 generally describe “about 10” active, serious candidates remaining after a few early exits and endorsements.
Where Things Stand Right Now
- Polls taken in late 2025 and early 2026 show no dominant frontrunner; the leading candidates are often within a few points of each other and many voters remain undecided.
- Democrats collectively hold an edge because California is a strongly Democratic state, but the top‑two primary means a Republican could still advance—and even a two‑Democrat general election is possible.
- The main issues shaping the race include the cost of living, housing affordability, homelessness, crime, immigration, education funding, and how California should respond to policies from President Donald Trump’s administration.
If you want, the list can be narrowed to just the highest‑polling few, or broken down into a table comparing their party, background, and signature issues.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.