As California’s gubernatorial race heats up, it features a roster of candidates from across the political spectrum, each with unique backgrounds and priorities.

SACRAMENTO, Calif — The 2026 California Governor race is shaping up as candidates from across the state seek to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The Primary Election will be held on June 2, with the last chance to register to vote being May 18, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Whoever is elected will be responsible for overseeing the 4th-largest economy and will also have to address major issues such as affordability, homelessness and education.

The new leader will also have to decide what type of relationship California will maintain with the federal government as Newsom has positioned California to push back against the Trump administration in almost every way.

With all that’s up on the line, here are the candidates vying to be the next governor:


Xavier Becerra

Becerra is the former Attorney General of California. While in that role, Becerra led California’s effort against the first Trump administration, filing approximately 122 lawsuits against the federal government.

He served in that role before becoming President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Health and Human Services.

He also represented portions of Los Angeles in Congress from 1993 to 2017.


Chad Bianco

Bianco is the sheriff of Riverside County. He has served in the sheriff’s office for over 30 years.

A Republican candidate, he is a strong proponent of Proposition 36, which increased penalties for certain theft and drug offenses.


Steve Hilton

Hilton is a Republican businessman, author, and political commentator. He hosts “The Steve Hilton Show.” He has called for a change from Democratic policies. 

Hilton and his family moved to California after working as a political consultant in England.


Matt Mahan

Democrat San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced his candidacy for governor in late January.

The 43-year-old Democrat says the same platform that helped him win the San Jose mayor’s office will guide his bid, with a focus on homelessness, public safety and housing affordability.


Katie Porter

Porter is a University of California, Irvine professor-turned-congressmember who flipped a Republican stronghold Orange County district to Democratic in the 2018 midterms.

In Congress, she became known as a Trump critic and for using props, such as a whiteboard, during hearings.

She ran for U.S. Senate in 2023 after Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s passing but lost in the primary to Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey.


Jon Slavet

Slavet is a Bay Area Republican and longtime CEO and entrepreneur. He also hosts a podcast, where he previously interviewed two of his now-opponents, Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton.

Slavet said affordability would be his top focus. He called for boosting housing supply, an “all of the above” energy strategy, and faster, more humane responses to homelessness.


Tom Steyer

Steyer is a Democratic billionaire venture capitalist who founded Farallon Capital. He has been an advocate for climate change action and housing.

In 2020, he ran for president but ultimately fell short. After exiting the race, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him to lead the state’s Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery.


Eric Swalwell

Swalwell is a Bay Area Democratic congressman who has served in Congress since 2013.

He ran for president before dropping out to focus on reelection.

Swalwell is facing a lawsuit that could threaten his gubernatorial bid, with a conservative filmmaker alleging he does not live in California and instead resides primarily in Washington, D.C.


Tony Thurmond

Thurmond currently serves as California’s superintendent of public instruction. He was elected in 2018 and led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, he served in the state Assembly, the Richmond City Council, and the West Contra Costa Unified School Board.


Antonio Villaraigosa

Democrat Villaraigosa served as the 41st mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013.

Before that, he served in the state Assembly, including as Assembly Speaker in 1997.


Betty Yee

Yee is the former California state controller, serving two terms as the state’s fiscal officer.

She previously chaired the Franchise Tax Board and served on the CalPERS board.

Before her election to office, she served as chief deputy director at the California Department of Finance.

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