2026 California gubernatorial election explained

The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of California. The statewide top-two primary election will take place on June 2, 2026. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom will be term-limited and ineligible to seek reelection.

Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, incumbent superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond, former California Senate president pro tempore Toni Atkins, former controller Betty Yee, and former mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa have declared their candidacies. The field of high profile candidates is expected to expand in the coming years and become extremely competitive.

Candidates

Democratic Party

Declared

• Toni Atkins, former President pro tempore of the California State Senate (2018–2024) from the 39th district (2016–2024) and former Speaker of the California State Assembly (2012–2016) from the 78th district (2010–2016)^[1]
• Stephen Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts^[2]
• Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present) and former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary (2010–2013)^[3]
• Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2019–present)^[4]
• Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) and candidate for governor in 2018^[5]
• Betty Yee, California Democratic Party vice chair (2021–present) and former California State Controller (2015–2023)^[6]
• Michael Younger, vice president of Calbright College (2022–present) and former deputy secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency^[7]

Potential

• Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–present), former attorney general of California (2017–2021), and former U.S. representative (1993–2017)^[8]
• Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California (2021–present)
• Rick Caruso, real estate developer and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022^[9]
• Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States (2021–present), former U.S. senator (2017–2021), and nominee for President in 2024^[10]
• Katie Porter, U.S. representative from (2018–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024^{[11] [12]}

Withdrew

• Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)

Declined

• Laphonza Butler, U.S. senator (2023–present)^[13]

Republican Party

Declared

• Sharifah Hardie, business consultant^[14]
• Leo Zacky, vice president of Zacky Farms and candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022^[15]

Publicly expressed interest

• Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)^[16]
• Grant Cardone, private equity fund manager^[17]
• Caitlyn Jenner, media personality and candidate for governor in 2021^[18]

Potential

• Lanhee Chen, policy advisor and runner-up for state controller in 2022
• Brian Dahle, state senator and runner-up for governor in 2022
• Steve Hilton, political commentator and former adviser to UK prime minister David Cameron (2010–2012)^[19]

Declined

• Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023) from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023)^[20]

Green Party

Declared

• Butch Ware, associate professor and nominee for Vice President in 2024^[21]

No party preference

Publicly expressed interest

• Nicole Shanahan, attorney and running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 presidential election^[22]

Primary election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Chad	Brian Dahle (R)	Steve Hilton (R)	Eleni	Katie	Antonio	Betty Yee (D)	Others	Undecided
California Elections and Policy Poll	September 12–25, 2024	1,685 (LV)	± 2.4%		5%		5%	4%	2%		14%	3%	3%	14%		50%
Tulchin Research	August 8–12, 2024	800 (LV)	± 3.5%	–		13%	10%	10%	–		13%	7%	8%		40%

Debates

Notes

Partisan clients

External links

Official campaign websites

• Toni Atkins (D) for Governor
• Stephen Cloobeck (D) for Governor
• Sharifah Hardie (R) for Governor
• Eleni Kounalakis (D) for Governor
• Raji Rab (D) for Governor
• Nicholas Thompson (L) for Governor
• Tony Thurmond (D) for Governor
• Antionio Villaraigosa (D) for Governor
• Betty Yee (D) for Governor
• Michael Younger (D) for Governor
• Leo Zacky (R) for Governor

Notes and References

1. News: Mason . Melanie . California Senate leader aims to be the state's first woman and LGBTQ+ governor . January 19, 2024 . . January 19, 2024 . en . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119183259/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/19/ca-senate-woman-lgbtq-governor-00136541 . live .
2. News: . November 13, 2024 . Hospitality businessman Stephen Cloobeck launches California governor bid . November 5, 2024 . Schallhorn, Kaitlyn . November 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241108132254/https://www.ocregister.com/2024/11/05/hospitality-businessman-stephen-cloobeck-launches-california-governor-bid/ . live .
3. News: Eleni Kounalakis first to launch campaign for California governor in 2026. Cadelago. Christopher. April 24, 2023. April 24, 2023. Politico. December 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231221053900/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/24/eleni-kounalakis-campaign-california-governor-2026-00093381. live.
4. News: September 26, 2023 . . September 26, 2023 . Flores . Hilda . State Superintendent Tony Thurmond officially announces run for governor . September 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926191821/https://www.kcra.com/article/state-superintendent-tony-thurmond-officially-announces-run-governor/45322329 . live .
5. Web site: Gans . Jared . Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa again running for California governor . . 23 July 2024 . 23 July 2024 . July 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723192527/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4788052-antonio-villaraigosa-run-california-governor/ . live .
6. News: Former California Controller Betty Yee says she will run to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026. Bollag. Sophia. April 24, 2023. April 24, 2023. San Francisco Chronicle. April 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230425010118/https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/betty-yee-california-governor-2026-17916212.php. live.
7. News: August 29, 2024 . . Alumni Profile: Michael Younger '02 . April 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415162919/https://stevensonschool.org/alumni/alumni-profile-michael-younger-02/ . April 15, 2024 .
8. Web site: Cadelego . Christopher . Lippman . Daniel . April 23, 2024 . Becerra plots political future after Biden administration . April 23, 2024 . . April 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240423103828/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/23/xavier-becerra-biden-administration-future-00153737 . live .
9. News: Smith, Dakota . . November 26, 2024 . Rick Caruso stokes talk about his political ambitions. June 1, 2024 .
10. Web site: Cadelago . Christopher . Harris is telling her advisers and allies to keep her political options open . November 25, 2024 . November 26, 2024 . live . . November 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241126000740/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/25/kamala-harris-advisers-options-open-00191393 .
11. Web site: 2024-08-09 . Who is running for California governor in 2026? Meet the potential candidates . 2024-08-12 . . Willon, Phil . en-US . August 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240812051737/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-09/california-governor-2026-candidates-newsom-atkins-kounalakis-thurmond-villaraigosa-yee . live .
12. News: . October 2, 2024 . Could Rep. Katie Porter be voters' top choice for governor in 2026? Here's what new polling suggests . October 1, 2024 . Kang, Hanna . October 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241002013224/https://www.ocregister.com/2024/10/01/could-rep-katie-porter-be-voters-top-choice-for-governor-in-2026-heres-what-new-polling-suggests/ . live .
13. News: . November 26, 2024 . November 17, 2024 . Mehta, Seema . Laphonza Butler reflects on her brief Senate career, the presidential race and her future . November 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241126214221/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-11-17/butler-reflects-on-brief-senate-career-the-presidential-race-and-her-future . live .
14. Sharifah Hardie Introduces 'California Forward' Plan as DNC Commences, Offering New Solutions for Economic Growth . August 18, 2024 . September 2, 2024 . Ask Sharifah . EIN Presswire . September 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240902095655/https://www.einpresswire.com/article/736372828/sharifah-hardie-introduces-california-forward-plan-as-dnc-commences-offering-new-solutions-for-economic-growth . live .
15. News: Boyle Heights Beat . Medina, Alex . July 24, 2024 . Antonio Villaraigosa announces another run for California governor . July 23, 2024 . July 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240724011746/https://boyleheightsbeat.com/antonio-villaraigosa-announces-another-run-for-california-governor/ . live .
16. News: Cadelago . Christopher . Firebrand sheriff and Fox News favorite considering run for California governor . 12 April 2024 . . 11 April 2024 . April 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240412073119/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/11/bianco-california-governor-00151890 . live .
17. Web site: Hall . Phil . 2024-11-18 . Grant Cardone Considers Run for California Governor . 2024-11-20 . Weekly Real Estate News . en-CA.
18. News: . November 26, 2024 . Sforza, Lauren . November 25, 2024 . Trump ally Caitlyn Jenner taunts Kamala Harris . November 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241126024341/https://www.nj.com/politics/2024/11/trump-ally-caitlyn-jenner-taunts-kamala-harris.html . live .
19. Web site: California Dream: Ex-Fox News host is mulling run for governor of the Golden State. Cadelago, Christopher. Politico. August 27, 2024. August 27, 2024. August 27, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240827215501/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/27/steve-hilton-california-governor-00176387. live.
20. News: Solender . Andrew . McCarthy floats future run for office in rare Capitol Hill visit . 17 February 2024 . . 13 February 2024 . McCarthy dismissed a run for California governor in 2026 . February 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217024138/https://www.axios.com/2024/02/13/kevin-mccarthy-potential-office-run . live .
21. Butch Ware, former Green Party VP nominee, announces next run for office . November 11, 2024 . November 13, 2024 . Green Party of the United States.
22. Web site: Waddick . Karissa . RFK Jr.'s campaign weighing whether to drop out, 'join forces' with Trump . . 2024-08-20 . 2024-09-30 . As for her own political future, Shanahan alluded to a potential 2026 campaign for governor in California. . October 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241006043126/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/20/rfk-jr-shanahan-trump-join-forces/74876667007/ . live .