All articles tagged with #governor race
Several supporters have withdrawn their backing from Rep. Eric Swalwell's bid for California governor after assault allegations surfaced, as he continues campaigning with events such as a Sacramento town hall.
Two Republican candidates, Steve Hilton and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, lead California's 2026 governor race and, with President Trump's endorsement, raise the prospect of a political upheaval in the blue state. They pledge sweeping deregulation and MAGA-style governance, but would clash with a Democratic Legislature, powerful unions, and an independent judiciary that could blunt their agenda, likely resulting in gridlock or pushback rather than rapid change. Analysts note that undecided voters may still coalesce around Democrats, making the November general election far from certain and raising the possibility of California electing its first Republican governor since Schwarzenegger only if dynamics shift markedly.
LA Times columnist Gustavo Arellano argues that a crowded Democratic field for California’s governor risks letting two Republicans advance to the general election; he criticizes party Chair Rusty Hicks’s call for low-polling candidates to drop out as anti-democratic 'el dedazo' and asserts democracy should determine the race. He notes Latinos are a plurality in the state but lack a clear statewide candidate, while top Democrats like Swalwell, Steyer, and Porter are closely matched with Republicans such as Hilton and Bianco in polls, illustrating how the field could produce a GOP win in the Trump era.
Casey DeSantis’s political future remains uncertain as she steps up public appearances around health initiatives, but insiders generally expect she won’t run for governor. Speculation persists, tied to her husband’s trajectory and Trump’s backing for Byron Donalds, with a June 12 entry deadline looming and the DeSantis duo remaining tight-lipped about plans.
In San Francisco, six Democrats and one Republican clashed over Governor Newsom’s homelessness spending and the state’s high cost of living, with candidates proposing populist fixes such as taxing billionaires, rent control and zoning reforms; Tom Steyer led fundraising while the race remained wide open with many voters undecided.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan launches a bid for California governor with strong early backing from Silicon Valley figures and tech donors, signaling a potential shift in the race toward a moderate, pro-growth stance; but he faces questions about whether Silicon Valley’s influence can translate statewide amid skepticism from rivals and organized labor.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced she is running for Minnesota governor after incumbent Tim Walz said he would not seek a third term. In a video, Klobuchar framed the race around Minnesota values, pledging to stand up to immigration enforcement policies and to root out fraud tied to federal relief programs. Walz’s exit comes amid clashes with the federal government over immigration enforcement, and Klobuchar’s bid will face a crowded Republican field as Minnesota negotiates ongoing public-fraud issues and national political dynamics.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar launched a Democratic bid for Minnesota governor, presenting herself as a unifying leader amid a state at the center of federal immigration enforcement and backlash, including protests and a fraud probe involving Gov. Walz’s administration; she faces a crowded GOP field and potential succession implications if she wins.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar postponed her planned Minnesota gubernatorial launch after a weekend fatal shooting by Border Patrol agents, shifting to de-escalation and federal immigration enforcement reform while the race absorbs the immigration-policy crisis and Minnesota political turbulence.
Former NBA star and 2010 GOP gubernatorial nominee Chris Dudley announces a 2026 bid for Oregon governor, entering a crowded Republican primary and pledging to boost education, affordability, and public safety.
Chris Madel, a Minneapolis attorney who had gained attention for representing an ICE agent in a high-profile shooting, ended his bid to become Minnesota governor and criticized federal immigration actions as part of a broader GOP backlash. He argued that Operation Metro Surge and the national Republican stance on immigration have created fear among citizens and made it nearly impossible for Republicans to win statewide in Minnesota, a view he voiced as the race for governor remains crowded and as other political moves unfold following the deaths of protesters and continuing investigations.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar filed preliminary paperwork to explore a run for Minnesota governor, weeks after Gov. Tim Walz ended his bid amid a fraud scandal in state social programs; an adviser said an announcement is expected in coming days. Known for broad statewide appeal and bipartisan priorities, Klobuchar’s candidacy could shift a gubernatorial race already drawing Republican contenders.
The 2026 Wisconsin elections are highly uncertain, with the gubernatorial race and legislative control both up for grabs, influenced by national politics, candidate qualities, and local issues, making this a pivotal and unpredictable election cycle.
The 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race features Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli, with the election serving as a reflection of national political sentiments and involving debates over affordability, taxes, and Trump’s influence. The race gained attention after personal records of Sherrill were mistakenly released, and both candidates have criticized each other on various issues.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger is favored to win the Virginia governor's race, which is seen as a key indicator for the 2024 midterm elections, with polls showing her leading over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears amid debates over issues like the economy, healthcare, and democracy.