Here is how local groups and leaders plan to vote in the gubernatorial election.<\/p>\n
Xavier\u00a0Becerra (D)<\/p>\n
Having more than 30 years of experience serving in office, Xavier Becerra is one of the frontrunners\u00a0in\u00a0the gubernatorial race. Becerra is\u00a0the\u00a0former secretary of Health and Human Services\u00a0from the Biden administration,\u00a0California attorney general and served in the state assembly and U.S. House.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that he will fight to make healthcare more affordable, build more housing, expand access to higher education, and defend our state against the authoritarian overreach of the Trump Administration,\u201d San Diego County Young Democrats said in\u00a0their\u00a0endorsement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gomez Trial Attorneys and Shane Harris meet with Xavier Becerra (833getgomez\/shaneharrisnow)<\/p>\n Additionally, Gomez Trial Attorneys recently held a meeting<\/a> with Becerra and said they are \u201cproud to support his campaign and stand with leadership that understands our communities\u2014because it comes from them.\u201d<\/p>\n Endorsements:<\/p>\n Assemblymember David Alvarez<\/p>\n Assemblymember Dr. Darshana R. Patel<\/p>\n San Diego County Young Democrats<\/p>\n San Diego Triton Democrats (UC San Diego)<\/p>\n San Diego Democrats for Equality<\/p>\n Former Mayor of Chula Vista Mary Salas<\/p>\n La Mesa City Councilmember Patricia Dillard<\/p>\n La Mesa City Councilmember Genevieve Suzuki<\/p>\n Tom Steyer\u00a0(D)<\/p>\n California billionaire turned climate advocate Tom Steyer is also among those leading the race for California governor. During the gubernatorial race,\u00a0Steyer has held multiple campaign events <\/a>in San Diego.<\/p>\n Assemblymember Chris Ward explains why he endorsed Tom Steyer for California governor at a San Diego town hall. (KSWB\/KUSI)<\/p>\n Toni Atkins, former gubernatorial candidate and state senator from San Diego County, is among locals who have endorsed Steyer.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving led both houses of the state legislature, I know what it takes to work in\u00a0true\u00a0partnership to get things done,\u201d Atkins said. \u201cCalifornia needs a governor who is both principled and effective, and Tom Steyer is that leader.\u201d<\/p>\n Assemblymember Chris Ward\u00a0said<\/a> he is backing Steyer\u2019s run for governor because \u201cacross the board: on substance, on style, and on a commitment to public service \u2014 Tom Steyer is the right choice.\u201d<\/p>\n Endorsements:<\/p>\n Former Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni Atkins<\/p>\n Assemblymember Chris Ward<\/p>\n Assemblymember\u00a0Tasha Boerner<\/p>\n Assemblymember Dr.\u00a0LaShae\u00a0Sharp-Collins<\/p>\n Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce<\/p>\n San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council<\/p>\n Black Americans Political Action Committee San Diego (BAPAC SD)<\/p>\n Uptown Democratic Club of San Diego<\/p>\n Steve Hilton (R)<\/p>\n Current frontrunner in the governor\u2019s race, Steve Hilton is a former Fox News host and has political experience<\/a> helping elect United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron.<\/p>\n Reform California and its founder, Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, are supporting both leading republican candidates, Hilton and Chad Bianco, for governor. The organization\u00a0refers\u00a0to both candidates as \u201cgood men.\u201d<\/p>\n The group\u00a0recommends\u00a0voters view the latest polling to ensure republicans are\u00a0not\u00a0locked out of the general election.<\/p>\n Chad Bianco (R)<\/p>\n Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is the second leading republican in the governor\u2019s race. Bianco was first elected in 2018 and is a 30-year police veteran. Aside from their endorsement, Bianco was granted a $25,000 campaign contribution from the Deputy Sheriffs\u2019 Association of San Diego County, according to their endorsement letter<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe strongly recommend that voters review the latest polling on this race to unite behind whichever candidate is in the lead and has the best chance to make it into the runoff,\u201d Reform California shared in\u00a0their\u00a0voter guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n Endorsements:<\/p>\n Deputy Sheriffs\u2019 Association of San Diego County<\/p>\n Katie Porter\u00a0(D)<\/p>\n University of California, Irvine Educator and former Congresswoman Katie Porter has been endorsed by the\u00a0San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council. The council gave their endorsement to three different candidates that they believe would be best for\u00a0office.\u00a0Additionally, Porter has been endorsed by statewide unions that have a presence in San Diego, such as UNAC\/UHCP and UAW.<\/p>\n Endorsements:<\/p>\n San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council<\/p>\n What to know ahead of the Primary Election: Your voter guide for San Diego County <\/a><\/p>\n Antonio Villaraigosa\u00a0(D)<\/p>\n Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa additionally received an endorsement from the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council.\u00a0He has\u00a0also\u00a0received endorsements from statewide labor unions.<\/p>\n Endorsements:<\/p>\n San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council<\/p>\n Matt Mahan (D)<\/p>\n San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is endorsed by State Senator Catherine Blakespear. Mahan is a vocal supporter of Prop. 36, often disagreeing<\/a> with Governor Gavin Newsom on the issue. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve become deeply frustrated by the lack of progress in ending the humanitarian crisis on our streets, but Matt Mahan is a leader who isn\u2019t afraid to challenge the status quo to get results,\u201d Blakespear said in her endorsement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Endorsements:<\/p>\n State Senator Catherine Blakespear<\/p>\n What to know about the race to find Gov. Gavin Newsom\u2019s successor <\/a><\/p>\n Tony Thurmond (D) California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond speaks outside of Enrique S. Camarena Elementary School on the first day of school, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Chula Vista, Calif. (AP Photo\/Denis Poroy)<\/p>\n Despite\u00a0low polling<\/a>,\u00a0California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has\u00a0received a\u00a0significant number\u00a0of endorsements<\/a> from local educators. He was\u00a0elected\u00a0state superintendent of public instruction\u00a0in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022. His\u00a0campaign website<\/a>\u00a0states he has prioritized\u00a0\u201cinvestments in public education.\u201d<\/p>\n Endorsements:<\/p>\n San Diego Community College District President Dr. Mar\u00eca Nieto Senuor<\/p>\n San Diego Community College District Trustee\u00a0Geysil\u00a0Arroyo<\/p>\n San Diego County Board of Education Trustee Dr. Gregg Robinson<\/p>\n San Diego Unified School District Trustee Dr. Sharon Whitehurst Payne<\/p>\n San Diego Unified School District Trustee Richard Barrera<\/p>\n San Diego Unified School District Trustee Sabrina Bazzo<\/p>\n Chula Vista Elementary School District Trustee Kate Bishop<\/p>\n Chula Vista Elementary School District Trustee Cesar Fernandez<\/p>\n Vista Unified School District Board President Martha Alvarado<\/p>\n Oceanside Unified School District Board President Raquel Alvarez<\/p>\n Oceanside School District Trustee Eleanor Evans<\/p>\n Oceanside Unified School District Trustee Nancy Licona<\/p>\n Sweetwater Union Trustee Nicholas Segura<\/p>\n Sweetwater Union Trustee Paula Hall (Ret.)<\/p>\n Sweetwater Union High School\u00a0District Dr. Adrian Arancibia<\/p>\n Sweetwater Union High School District Trustee Elva Lopez-Zepeda<\/p>\n San Ysidro School District Trustee Antonio Martinez<\/p>\n San Ysidro School District Delegate Rudy Lopez<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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