All articles tagged with #gubernatorial race
Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton, a California governor candidate, called for abolishing the state’s DMV and shifting its duties to online services and county offices, while capping vehicle registrations at a flat $73 and turning DMV offices into training centers as part of making California more affordable. He will face Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra in a Sept. 30 CNN debate; this is his first confirmed one-on-one matchup.
Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive, defeated incumbent Gov. Dan McKee in Rhode Island's Democratic primary, aided by a three-to-one spending edge and polls showing McKee’s unpopularity over the Washington Bridge closure; the loss makes McKee the first sitting governor to lose a primary in eight years and positions Foulkes as the front-runner in a blue Rhode Island.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds announced state Sen. Bryan Ávila of Hialeah as his running mate, aiming to broaden support in Miami-Dade and among Latino voters. Ávila, a Cuban-American and National Guardsman who has sponsored tax-cut and data-center legislation and backed Florida’s Stop WOKE Act, was unveiled at the Freedom Tower in Miami as Donalds seeks to rally a statewide coalition against Democrat David Jolly and Gwen Graham, with a focus on affordability and opposing socialism.
Republican challenger Lisa Demuth accuses Sen. Amy Klobuchar of campaigning on fraud while not addressing Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future scandal in years of press releases; a Fox News Digital review found Klobuchar’s office urged action on other fraud but did not mention the $250 million Feeding Our Future scheme (prosecutors say the broader fraud could reach up to $9 billion). Demuth says Klobuchar could have pressed hearings and done more, while Klobuchar’s campaign says she will fight fraud and would audit on day one. The controversy unfolds as Walz faces fraud fallout and Klobuchar remains a leading candidate to replace him.
Wyoming Republicans nominated state Sen. Eric Barlow, a former House Speaker, to run for governor in November after a four-way primary; he will face Democrat Kenneth Casner, with Megan Degenfelder finishing second behind him despite a Trump endorsement. Republicans hold every statewide office, giving Barlow a built-in advantage in a deeply red state as other open races on the ballot also shape the slate.
Kansas state Sen. Cindy Holscher defeated establishment-backed Ethan Corson in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, setting up a tough general election against Republican Ty Masterson. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed leads Rep. Haley Stevens in a tight Senate primary, highlighting ongoing progressives-versus-moderates tensions, with Mallory McMorrow endorsing El-Sayed; William Lawrence also won the MI-7 Democratic primary. Missouri saw Wesley Bell defeat Cori Bush in MO-1 and Rick Brattin win the GOP’s MO-5 race, while Kansas voters rejected a constitutional abortion amendment, underscoring abortion politics’ persistence. The night showcased persistent intra-party divisions as races shape up for November.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor ahead of the August 11 GOP primary, praising him as a patriot and election-integrity advocate, even as Lindell trails in polls against Democrat Amy Klobuchar; Lindell's residency has come under scrutiny after he previously registered in Texas but says he has re-established Minnesota residency to meet constitutional requirements for the race.
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will compete in the California governor’s race, setting up a high-profile 2026 contest.
California’s top-two primary all but ensures a November showdown between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, with Tom Steyer fading; Hilton leans into MAGA rhetoric and voter-fraud claims, while Becerra must present a governing vision addressing deficits, disasters, and healthcare beyond anti-Trump campaigning. Steyer’s self-funded bid sparks debate—some see bold climate and healthcare ideas, others call it vanity. The columnists defend California’s slow ballot count as thorough and participation-driven, urge better funding for county election offices, and warn that money in politics will shape the race. In short, the blue tilt remains, but the next five months will hinge on policy clarity, governance plans, and how candidates handle big-money dynamics.
Democrat Xavier Becerra officially qualified for California's gubernatorial general election, setting up a likely showdown with either Republican Steve Hilton or Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer, while SFist’s Saturday Links also highlights other Bay Area news items.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will join Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand at a rally in Iowa, signaling cross-state support as Sand campaigns in the state’s gubernatorial race.
Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra lead California’s unsettled governor’s race as billionaire Tom Steyer fights to survive elimination; Becerra’s surge followed Swalwell’s scandal, Hilton drew Trump’s endorsement, and Steyer’s massive self-funding faces a steep climb as ballots continue to be counted in the open-primary top-two contest.
Berkeley IGS/LA Times poll shows Xavier Becerra leading California’s June 2 gubernatorial primary with 25% support, followed by Steve Hilton at 21% and Tom Steyer at 19%; turnout remains uncertain and the jungle primary keeps the top two finishers in play, with Hilton benefiting from Trump’s endorsement and Steyer leading in fundraising; the race remains wide open with implications for November and state policy debates such as healthcare funding, inflation, and voting rights.
Tom Steyer, a frontrunner in California's governor's race, says he will not run for president again, focusing on governing California. His stance follows Eric Swalwell's exit from the presidential contest and comes amid warnings from Democrats like Antonio Villaraigosa that the governor's office should not be treated as a stepping stone to higher office, with Newsom potentially pursuing national office in 2028.
Two women who accused Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct tell CBS News they feel vindicated as Swalwell ends his California gubernatorial bid and resigns from Congress, while a Manhattan DA investigation continues. Ally Sammarco and Annika Albrecht describe explicit messages and Snapchat exchanges that they say reflected a pattern of impunity; Swalwell denies the allegations and says they are politically motivated. The women say the fight for accountability isn’t over and note that dozens of others have reached out with similar concerns. The CBS interview airs on CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News.