California voters will decide who they want to replace Gavin Newsom as governor. In June, voters will narrow down the packed field of candidates vying for the position. The top-two candidates will face off in the general election.Before you vote, we want to explain what exactly the governor oversees.Let’s break it down.STATE ORGANIZATIONSThe governor is the most important statewide job. They oversee this long list of state organizations: Transportation Agency Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Environmental Protection Agency Department of Finance Department of Food and Agriculture Health and Human Services Agency Labor and Workforce Development Agency Department of Veterans Affairs Natural Resources Agency Government Operations Agency Business, Consumer Services and Housing AgencyThe governor also appoints judges and state regulators. When there is a vacancy in the U.S. Senate, the governor picks a representative. BUDGETThe governor plays a major role in the state budget. In January, they lay out their agenda and priorities for the next fiscal year. For the next 6 months, the governor and Legislature will negotiate the state spending plan. They face a June deadline. The fiscal year begins July 1.LEGISLATIONThe governor also reviews the hundreds of bills passed by lawmakers – either signing them into law or vetoing them. In 2025, Gov. Newsom signed nearly 800 bills into law.TIME IN OFFICE & PAYThe state’s top job has a limit of two 4-year terms in the office.In 2025, the job paid $245,929, according to the Department of Human Resources.

California voters will decide who they want to replace Gavin Newsom as governor.

In June, voters will narrow down the packed field of candidates vying for the position. The top-two candidates will face off in the general election.

Before you vote, we want to explain what exactly the governor oversees.

Let’s break it down.

STATE ORGANIZATIONS

The governor is the most important statewide job. They oversee this long list of state organizations:

Transportation Agency Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Environmental Protection Agency Department of Finance Department of Food and Agriculture Health and Human Services Agency Labor and Workforce Development Agency Department of Veterans Affairs Natural Resources Agency Government Operations Agency Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency

The governor also appoints judges and state regulators.

When there is a vacancy in the U.S. Senate, the governor picks a representative.

BUDGET

The governor plays a major role in the state budget.

In January, they lay out their agenda and priorities for the next fiscal year. For the next 6 months, the governor and Legislature will negotiate the state spending plan. They face a June deadline. The fiscal year begins July 1.

LEGISLATION

The governor also reviews the hundreds of bills passed by lawmakers – either signing them into law or vetoing them. In 2025, Gov. Newsom signed nearly 800 bills into law.

TIME IN OFFICE & PAY

The state’s top job has a limit of two 4-year terms in the office.

In 2025, the job paid $245,929, according to the Department of Human Resources.