Candidates for nine statewide offices, including governor, are on the June primary ballot in California.

The June 2 election features a muddled governor’s race in which no clear favorite has emerged, but there are contests for other important state offices, including state insurance commissioner, attorney general, treasurer, controller and more.

Below, a look at the statewide offices on the June primary ballot.

Narrowing down the field for California governor

The contest to determine who will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom includes five Democrats and two Republicans who will square off in the June primary election with the top-two finishers advancing to the November runoff.

Here are the top-polling candidates.

Becerra, who represented part of Los Angeles in Congress for more than two decades, emerged as a frontrunner by a slim margin in a poll released in mid-May. He was appointed the state’s attorney general in 2017 and filed a slew of lawsuits against the first Trump administration before his appointment to Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Biden administration.

The Emerson College Polling and Inside California Polities survey found Becerra at 19 percent, giving him a slight edge over Hilton and Steyer. In another sign of his emergence as a top contender, Becerra was targeted by his rivals Thursday in what was likely the final debate before the election.

The first poll published since NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 hosted a gubernatorial debate shows that democrat Xavier Becerra now leads the race for California governor. Conan Nolan reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Former Fox News host Hilton, endorsed by President Trump, was senior adviser to former conservative UK Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012 before moving to California. He co-founded a political crowdfunding platform in Silicon Valley.

Steyer, who made his fortune at a hedge fund, started a firm that invests in environmental technology. The billionaire has backed ballot measures supported by liberal causes.

The race was reshaped in April when sexual misconduct and assault allegations surfaced involving then-candidate Eric Swalwell, who suspended his campaign and resigned from Congress. The ballot includes a few dozen candidates running for governor. Swalwell’s name still appears on the ballot.

Gov. Newson is in his final term.

Lieutenant Governor of California

Considered a largely symbolic position, the lieutenant governor is next in line if the governor is absent of vacates the officer.

The lieutenant governor, a position held by Newsom from 2011 to 2019, also serves on boards that oversee the University of California, California State University and community college systems. In the rare event of a tie vote in the state Senate, the lieutenant governor can cast a tie-breaking vote.

Sixteen candidates seeking the office held by Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who is in her final term, are on the primary ballot. Below, some of the leading candidates.

Josh Matthew Fryday (D): The former Navy officer had been head of Gov. Newsom’s volunteer office since 2019. He also was mayor of Novato and COO of climate advocacy group NextGen America.

Janelle Kellman (D): An attorney and former member of the Sausalito City Council. Kellman, an attorney, founded a climate nonprofit that studies seal-level changes.

Fiona Ma (D): One of the higher profile names in the field, Ma has served is several state official roles. She has been state treasurer since 2019 and was previously on the Board of Equalization. Ma served four terms in the state Legislature.

Gloria Romero (R): The longtime Democrat registered as a Repbulican in 2024 after disagreements with the Democratic party over several issues. Romero was state Senate majority leader from 2005 to 2008 during a 12-year tenure in the state Legislature.

Michael Tubbs (D): The leader of a nonprofit devoted to combating poverty in California, Tubbs became the youngest and first Black mayor of Stockton at 26 in 2016. In 2021, he was appointed as a special economic advisor to the governor.

Other candidates on the ballot are Republican businessman David Fennell, Peace and Freedom physician Alice Stek, Republic defense technology exec Skip Shelton, Democratic professor Abdur Rahman Sikder, Democratic businessman, musician and producer Tim Myers, Democratic civil rights lawyer Oliver Ma, Republican business owner and nurse Ebie Lynch, Democratic customer experience consultant Jeyson Lopez, business owner Rakesh Christian, Republican farmer and business owner David Collenberg, and mediator Sean Collinson.

California Secretary of State

This elected office is in charge of elections, making sure everything runs smoothly and on time in accordance with election laws.

As chief elections officer, the Secretary of State is in charge of certifying statewide ballot measures and election results, preparing voter information guides, testing of voting equipment, ensuring adherence to election laws and other duties that protect the elections process. In addition to election-related roles, the Secretary of State also maintains business filings and other public records, manages a campaign finance records database and maintains the state archives. 

There are four candidates on the primary election ballot, including incumbent Democrat Shirley Weber. Her challengers are Green Party electoral reform consultant Michael Feinstein, Republican Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner and Green Party teacher Gary Blenner.

California Controller

The state Controller’s office is the state’s chief accountant, serving as an independent accountant and bookkeeper who makes sure the state’s finances are in order. One of the office’s main responsibilities is holding the state accountable when it comes to the use of public funds. The office also audits government agencies and looks after unclaimed property.

Incumbent Democrat Malia Cohen, who previously served on the California State Board of Equalization, faces challenges from Peace and Freedom school bus driver Meghann Adams and Republican chief investment officer Herb Morgan.

California Treasurer

The Treasurer acts as the chief banker, investment officer and asset manager for California. Elected to a four-year term that includes service on several state boards, the office also oversees borrowing and debt.

Six candidates are vying to succeed Fiona Ma, who is running for lieutenant governor.

Democratic state Sen. Anna Caballero is a politician with ties to the the Salinas area in Monterey County. She was the city’s mayor and also a member of the State Assembly. 

Republican Jennifer Hawks is a retired Silicon Valley businesswoman. 

Democratic Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis was a candidate for governor, but dropped out of that race last year. 

Democrat Tony Vazquez is a member of the state Board of Equalization and former member of the Santa Monica City Council. 

Republican businessman, author and father David Serpa and Green Party candidate Glenn Turner also appear on the primary ballot. 

California Attorney General

The race for the state’s top prosecutor includes incumbent Democrat Rob Bonta, who has continued the office’s practice of filing and joining high-profile lawsuits to counter the Trump administration. Bonta was appointed to the job in 2021 and then elected to a four-year term in 2022. He also served as an East Bay assembly member. 

He faces challenges from Republican Deputy U.S. Attorney Michael Gates and Green Party attorney and justice advocate Marjorie Mikels.

Gates was city attorney for Huntington Beach before he was appointed deputy assistant attorney general in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. He left the job in November and returned to the Huntington Beach city attorney’s office. 

California Insurance Commissioner

Eleven names appears on the primary ballot in the contest for regulator of the nation’s largest property and casualty insurance market. The job’s profile has been raised in recent years due to devastating wildfires, such as the January 2025 Los Angeles County fires and the astronomical cost of disaster recovery, making it one of the most important elected officers on the ballot.

Currently held by Ricardo Lara, the Insurance Commissioner position was created by voters in 1988 to oversee the nation’s largest insurance marketplace. Homeowners, car owners, businesses, landlords, renters and anyone else who depends on insurance will be looking for a leader who can secure affordable options at a time of uncertainty in the market.

Democrat Ben Allen is a state Senator representing District 24 in Southern California, which includes a large swath of the Los Angeles County coast. The area includes communities that burned in the deadly Palisades Fire. 

Democrat Steven Bradford is a former California senator and assembly member, who is a former executive at Southern California Edison. The former Gardena City Council member was chair of the Senate Banking Committee and the Select Committee on Boys and Men of Color. 

Merritt Farren is a Republican consumer advocated and attorney whose home burned in the Palisades Fire. The former Amazon and Disney executive stepped in as a consumer advocate during State Farm’s rate hike proceedings, which led to his run for state office. 

Democrat Jane Kim is a lawyer, consumer advocate and former San Francisco supervisor. Endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Kim has served for four years at the California director for the progressive Working Families Party. 

Democrat Patrick Wolff is a financial analyst from San Francisco. 

Other candidates on the ballot are Peace and Freedom Party science teacher Eduardo Vargas, Republican financial services executive Sean Lee, American Independent insurance agent Keith Davis, Republican cybersecurity company CEO Robert Howell, Republican contractor Eric Thor Aarnio, and Republican licensed insurance agent Stacy Korsgaden.

State Board of Equalization

The nation’s only elected tax commission is responsible for administering the state’s property tax system and fee collection. Often a stepping stone to other state officers requiring experience in state taxes and finance, the board has 10 candidates seeking a seat in the Third District.

The state has four equalization districts with a member elected from each district. The California Controller serves as the fifth board member. Each member represents about 10 million people. District 3 includes communities throughout Los Angeles County and is currently represented by Antonio Vazquez.

The candidates, in order of appearance on the ballot, are Democratic taxpayer advisor Rudy Bermudez; Democratic CPA and internal auditor Baru Alejandro Sanchez; Democratic labor union organizer Samuel Sukaton; Democratic state assemblymember and father Mike Gipson; Republican licensed tax preparer Rey Portela; commissioner vice chair Marie Manvel; Democratic public finance board member Yvonne Yiu; Democratic banker Zhijing Liu; Republican Stephan Hohil; and Republican Carlo Basail.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Ten candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction are on the primary ballot. It is a nonpartisan office in a state where many education curriculum and budget decisions are made at the local level. The role of the state superintendent may be further diminished after a proposal by Gov. Newsom to shift more power to the State Board of Education.

Here are the candidates seeking the job in the order they appear on the ballot.

Ainye Long, public school teacher

Anthony Rendon, Democracy advocate and educator

Nichelle Henderson, college trustee and teacher

Richard Barrera, state superintendent advisor

Wendy Castaneda Leal, school district superintendent

Josh Newsom, educator and strategic advisor

Sonja Shaw, school district president

Gus Mattammal, educator, executive and author

Al Muratsuchi, assembly member and classroom educator

Frank Lara, teacher and union VP

California June primary election timeline

Some key dates in the process are coming up, including the mailing of ballots, early voting and registration deadline.

Here are some important dates to know in the run-up to the June 2 primary election.

April 23-May 12: Voter information guides will be mailed.
May 4: County elections officials must begin mailing every registered voter a vote-by-mail ballot no later than this date.
May 4: Early voting sites open.
May 5-June 2: All counties must open ballot drop-off locations by this date.
May 18: This is a big one — the last day to register to vote in the primary election.
May 19-June 2: Same-day voter registration will be available, allowing voters to cast a provisional ballot.
May 23: Voter’s Choice Act counties will open vote centers.
June 2: Vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide for Election Day. If you’re in line at 8 p.m., you can vote.

After vote centers close, county elections officials will be reporting election results. Updated results will be reported through the night and the following days.

July 2 is the last day for county elections offices to certify election results.