All articles tagged with #governor race 2026
Anita Charles, sister of Maine Republican candidate Bobby Charles, says she will vote for Democrat Hannah Pingree in the November governor’s race, criticizing her brother’s rhetoric and his positions on public education and abortion. The remarks followed an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald and a press conference in Congress Square Park, Portland.
CalMatters provides a concise primer for Californians ahead of Election Day on a wide-open governor’s race, outlining the candidates, explaining Prop. 14’s open primary, and offering practical voting tips: mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days, or you can vote in person or drop off your ballot; counties will report results on Election Night, with counting to wrap in about 30 days and certification within 38 days. The piece also links to a voter guide for deeper details on housing, justice, healthcare, and more.
Six candidates—two Republicans and four Democrats—debated in San Francisco ahead of California’s June primary, trading sharp lines on wealth, experience and race. Tom Steyer faced attacks over his wealth and investments in private prisons and fossil fuels but defended his philanthropy and plans to tax polluters; Xavier Becerra emphasized his long record while Katie Porter pressed for concrete housing funding details. Matt Mahan framed the race as reform-minded, while the two Republicans, Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, avoided broad clashes but tangled over race and policing. The 90‑minute forum was the first televised gubernatorial debate since Swalwell exited, occurring as ballots go out and a crowded field tests California’s top-two primary dynamics.)
With Swalwell out, California’s Democratic governor race remains crowded and unsettled, as top figures like Governor Gavin Newsom and Speaker Nancy Pelosi refuse to pressure rivals to drop out, and Party Chair Rusty Hicks states the field should be assessed on its own. The open-top-two primary heightens concern about a possible two-Democrat or two-Republican general election, leaving seven major candidates vying for attention less than three weeks before ballots go out.