California's Open Governor Contest Sets Stage for 2026
TL;DR
With Governor Newsom term-limited and Pelosi retiring, California's 2026 governor race is wide open. The June 2 primary will determine the two finalists for November among a crowded field of Democrats (Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Eric Swalwell, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, Betty Yee) plus Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton and Green Party candidate Butch Ware, with voters focused on housing, homelessness, taxes, and the state’s relationship with the federal government.
- California Governor’s Race: Here’s Who’s Running in 2026 The New York Times
- Democratic angst and gerrymandering threaten California’s political reforms CalMatters
- California Democrats defy call from party to abandon crowded race: ‘Voters choose the next governor’ The Guardian
- Democratic candidates in CA governor race asked to drop out if they aren't viable, but no one wants to ABC7 Los Angeles
- Commentary: Too many Democrats in California governor's race? That's a great thing Los Angeles Times
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