Which potential contenders are vying for California's governorship in the upcoming 2026 election? Here's a rundown of the candidates.
California Governor Race Heats Up in 2026
As Gavin Newsom's second term as California governor comes to an end, the stage is set for a new leader to take the helm in 2026. A diverse field of Democrats and Republicans are vying for the position, creating an exciting and competitive race.
Among the prominent Democrats in the running are Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, who has served in this role for seven years and was Ambassador to Hungary under President Barack Obama. Another notable contender is Secretary of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who previously served in the state assembly. Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, ex-U.S. Representative Katie Porter, former State Comptroller Betty Yee, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa are also in the running.
Katie Porter, a former congresswoman from Orange County, has quickly emerged as a leading contender, actively fundraising and campaigning to solidify her position. Xavier Becerra, on the other hand, positions himself as a continuation of Harris' policy legacy.
The race has opened up since former Vice President Kamala Harris announced she would not run for governor in 2026. Among the remaining candidates, Porter has been making waves, while Becerra has been focusing on maintaining the Democratic legacy.
California uses an all-party primary system, meaning the top two candidates, regardless of party, will advance to the general election. Given California's strong Democratic leanings and the absence of a dominant Republican contender, Democrats are favored to hold the governorship in 2026.
The Republican side of the race is also crowded, with names like Steve Hilton, Stephen Cloobeck, Chad Bianco, and Toni Atkins in the mix. Hilton, a former Fox News host, became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and is a vocal supporter of President Trump. Cloobeck, an American businessman who founded Diamond Resorts, a timeshare company, appeared on the TV show Undercover Boss. Bianco, the Riverside County Sheriff since 2019, is a well-known figure in the law enforcement community. Atkins, a longtime California representative, served as the President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate from 2018 to 2024.
Atkins is not the only multifaceted candidate in the race. Butch Ware, an associate professor, is also a hip-hop artist. In 2024, he was a vice presidential nominee for the Green Party.
As the race heats up, it's clear that Californians have a wealth of candidates to choose from, each with their own unique backgrounds and visions for the state's future. The primary elections are expected to be held in June 2026, with the general election following in November.
The upcoming California gubernatorial race in 2026 is shaping up to be a battle of policy-and-legislation proposals, as a diverse array of Democrats and Republicans strive to capture the position, with notable Democratic candidates such as Katie Porter, Xavier Becerra, and Toni Atkins actively campaigning for their visions. In contrast, the politics surrounding the Republican side of the race remain just as competitive, with figures like Steve Hilton, Stephen Cloobeck, Chad Bianco, and Toni Atkins (who is also a Democrat in the Democratic race) vying for the position. This general-news event promises to be an exciting spectacle in policy-and-legislation, showcasing the extensive variety of perspectives and backgrounds that California has to offer.
