For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 California gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026 (2026-11-03)
2030 →
Incumbent Governor

Gavin Newsom
Democratic


The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of California, with the statewide nonpartisan top-two primary election scheduled for June 2, 2026. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.

Sixty-one candidates are on the ballot.[1] California is heavily Democratic; the Republicans have not won a statewide race in California since 2006 or held statewide office since 2011. However, the fragmented Democratic field in this year's top-two primary could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election.[2] The California Democratic Party has urged low-polling candidates to drop out to prevent this outcome.[3][4]

Candidates

Democratic Party

Declared

  • Akinyemi Agbede, mathematician and educator[5][6]
  • Mohammad Arif, immigrants organizer[5]
  • Larry Azevedo, businessman[5]
  • Xavier Becerra, former secretary of health and human services (2021–2025) and attorney general of California (2017–2021)[7]
  • Carolina Buhler, UCLA student[8]
  • Louis De Barraicua, teacher and business owner[5]
  • Sophia Edum-a-Sam, project manager[5]
  • Derek Grasty, San José school district trustee (2024–present)[9]
  • Joel Jacob, business owner[5]
  • Gary Howard Kidgell, building consultant[5]
  • Matthew Levy, physicist[5]
  • Matt Mahan, mayor of San Jose (2023–present)[10]
  • Barack Obama Shaw, business owner[5]
  • Thunder Parley, software engineer[11]
  • Katie Porter, former U.S. representative from California's 47th congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[12]
  • Raji Rab, pilot and perennial candidate[5]
  • Satish Rao, professor[5]
  • Scott Shields, executive director[5]
  • Tom Steyer, founder of Farallon Capital and candidate for president in 2020[13]
  • Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2019–present)[14]
  • Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) and candidate for governor in 2018[15]
  • Betty Yee, California Democratic Party vice chair (2021–present) and former California State Controller (2015–2023)[16]
  • Erin Zezulak, consultant[5]

Withdrawn

  • Ethan Agarwal, tech entrepreneur (running for U.S. House)[17]
  • Toni Atkins, former president pro tempore of the California State Senate (2018–2024) from the 39th district (2016–2024) and former speaker of the California State Assembly (2012–2016) from the 78th district (2010–2016)[18] (endorsed Steyer)[19]
  • Ian Calderon, former majority leader of the California Assembly (2016–2020) from the 57th district (2012–2020) (initially endorsed Swalwell)[20][21][a]
  • Stephen Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts (initially endorsed Swalwell)[24][25][26][a]
  • Zoltan Istvan, founder of the Transhumanist Party, Libertarian candidate for governor in 2018, and Republican candidate for president in 2020[27]
  • Eleni Kounalakis, lieutenant governor of California (2019–present) (running for state treasurer)[28]
  • Fiona Ma, California state treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)[16]
  • Eric Swalwell, former U.S. representative from California's 14th congressional district (2013–2026) and candidate for president in 2020 (remained on ballot)[29]
  • Michael Younger, vice president of Calbright College (2021–present) and former deputy secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (2019–2021)[30]

Declined

  • Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (2021–present) (running for re-election)[31][32][33][34]
  • Laphonza Butler, former U.S. senator (2023–2024)[35]
  • Rick Caruso, founder of Caruso and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022[36] (endorsed Mahan)[37]
  • Kamala Harris, former vice president of the United States (2021–2025), former U.S. senator (2017–2021), and nominee for president in 2024[38]
  • Alex Padilla, U.S. senator (2021–present)[39]
  • Adam Schiff, U.S. senator (2024–present)[40] (initially endorsed Swalwell)[41][a]
  • Buffy Wicks, state assemblymember from the 14th district (2018–present)[42]

Republican Party

Declared

  • James Athans Jr., real estate agent[43][5]
  • Chad Bianco, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)[44]
  • Patricia De Luca Basualdo, real estate broker[5]
  • Randeep Dhillon, businessman and farmer[5]
  • Rafael Hernandez, businessman[5]
  • Steve Hilton, political commentator and former adviser to UK prime minister David Cameron (2010–2012)[45]
  • Alicia Olivia Lapp[5]
  • Leo Naranjo IV, veteran[5]
  • Tim Nelson, diplomat[5]
  • Gretha Solórzano, retired nuclear engineer[5]
  • Leo Zacky, vice president of Zacky Farms and candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022[46]
  • David Zickefoose, real estate investor[5]

Disqualified

  • Ché Ahn, pastor[47][48]
  • Brandon Jones, marketing agency founder[49][5]
  • Jimmy Parker, former judge[46][5]
  • Ebony Taylor, business owner[5][1]

Withdrawn

  • Sophia Brink, legislative aide to San Mateo County supervisor David Canepa[50] (endorsed Hilton)[51]
  • Kyle Langford, construction manager (ran for CA-26 as a Democrat)[52]
  • David Serpa, real estate business owner and runner-up for California's 39th congressional district in 2024[53]
  • Jon Slavet, tech entrepreneur[54]

Declined

  • Mel Gibson, special ambassador to Hollywood (2025–present), actor, and filmmaker[55]
  • Richard Grenell, special presidential envoy for special missions (2025–present)[56]
  • Kevin McCarthy, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023) from California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023)[57]

Green Party

Declared

  • Butch Ware, associate professor and Green Party 2024 vice presidential nominee (write-in)[58][59]

Libertarian Party

Declared

Not on primary ballot

  • Nicholas Thompson, college student[30][5]

Declined

  • Art Olivier, former mayor of Bellflower[61]

Peace and Freedom Party

Declared

No party preference

Declared

  • Naomi Bar-Lev, musician[5]
  • Joseph Cabrera, administrator[5]
  • Elaine Culotti, entrepreneur[63]
  • LivingForGod AndCountry DeMott, chaplin[5]
  • Serge Fiankan, real estate broker[5]
  • Lukasz Adam Filinski[5]
  • Max Fomin, business owner[5]
  • Don Grundmann, chiropractor[5]
  • Jon Henderson, business owner[5]
  • Lewis Herms[5][64]
  • Dawit Kellel[5]
  • Anne Komarovsk, communications executive[5]
  • Duane Terrence Loynes Jr., nominee of the American Solidarity Party[5][65]
  • Amanda Martin, entrepreneur[5]
  • Brent Maupin, civil engineer[5]
  • Daniel Mercuri, author, Republican candidate for governor in 2021 and 2022, and candidate for California's 25th congressional district in 2020[66]
  • Mauro Alberto Orozco, business owner[5]
  • Reza Safarnejad, business owner[5]
  • Sam Sandak, filmmaker[5]
  • Christine Sarmiento, public health nurse[5]
  • Frederic Schultz, human rights attorney[5]
  • Margaret Trowe, hospitality worker[5]
  • Nancy Young, businesswoman[5]

Not on primary ballot

  • Leonard Jackson, shipping company CEO[67][5]
  • Ryan Tillman, police officer[68][5]
  • David Thelen, blogger[68][5]

Declined

  • Nicole Shanahan, attorney and running mate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 presidential election[69]

Primary election

Campaign

Sixty-one candidates qualified for the primary ballot. California uses a top-two primary system in which all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.[70]

Among Republicans, Riverside County sheriff Chad Bianco and political commentator Steve Hilton emerged as the leading candidates, while the Democratic field remained fragmented. This raised concerns that two Republicans could advance to the general election.[71][72] Those concerns eased after president Donald Trump endorsed Hilton, increasing the chance of a Democrat making it into the runoff because some Bianco supporters would likely shift their support to Hilton due to Trump's endorsement.[73]

As of early March 2026, polls showed that the three Democrats with the greatest amount of public support were representative Eric Swalwell, hedge fund manager and candidate for president in 2020 Tom Steyer, and former representative Katie Porter.[72] Other notable Democrats running include former mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa, former HHS Secretary and state attorney general Xavier Becerra, mayor of San Jose Matt Mahan, former state controller Betty Yee, and superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond.[70] Former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla opted against running for governor.[72]

Eric Swalwell sexual assault allegations

Main article: Eric Swalwell § Sexual assault allegations

On April 10, 2026, the San Francisco Chronicle reported allegations from a former staffer who provided credible claims that Swalwell had sexually assaulted her on two occasions.[74] That same day, CNN published additional claims from four women, including one allegation of rape and others describing inappropriate conduct and unsolicited nude photos. CNN reported that it had corroborated the accounts. Swalwell denied all of the allegations and sent cease-and-desist letters to two of the women threatening legal action.[75]

Following the allegations, several staff members resigned from Eric Swalwell’s campaign, including co-chairs Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray.[76][77] Notably, the California Teachers Association revoked its endorsement,[76] while U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego also withdrew their support.[77] House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called on Swalwell to end his campaign.[78] By April 11, all of Swalwell's 21 fellow members of Congress previously endorsing him had withdrawn their support.[79] The following day, he announced that he was suspending his campaign for governor.[80] On April 13, Swalwell announced he had plans to resign from Congress,[81] and formally left on April 14.[82]

Endorsements

Xavier Becerra (D)
U.S. representatives
  • Salud Carbajal, CA-24 (2017–present)[56]
  • Tony Cárdenas, former CA-29 (2013–2025)[83]
  • Gil Cisneros, CA-31 (2025–present) and former CA-39 (2019–2021)[83]
  • Raul Ruiz, CA-25 (2013–present)[84]
State legislators
  • Joaquin Arambula, AD-31 (2016–present)[83]
  • Bob Archuleta, SD-30 (2018–present) (co-endorsement with Villaraigosa; previously endorsed Atkins)[83]
  • Juan Carrillo, AD-39 (2022–present)[83]
  • Sabrina Cervantes, SD-31 (2024–present)[83]
  • Melissa Hurtado, SD-16 (2018–present)[83]
  • Eloise Reyes, SD-29 (2024–present)[83]
  • Jerry McNerney, SD-05 (2024–present) and former CA-09 (2007–2023)[83]
  • Sharon Quirk-Silva, AD-67 (2022–present) and former AD-65 (2012–2014, 2016–2022)[83] (endorsed Steyer)[85]
Local officials
  • Sukhee Kang, former mayor of Irvine (2008–2012)[83]
Labor unions
  • California Faculty Association (co-endorsement with Thurmond)[83]
  • California State Council of Laborers[86]
  • Laborers' International Union of North America[83]
Organizations
  • California Young Democrats[87]
  • Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles[88]
Chad Bianco (R)
Executive branch officials
  • Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California (2025–present)[89]
U.S. representatives
  • Mary Bono, former CA-45 (1998–2013)[90]
  • Ken Calvert, CA-41 (1993–present)[91]
  • Darrell Issa, CA-48 (2023–present), CA-50 (2021–2023)[89]
State legislators
  • Dennis Hollingsworth, former SD-36 (2002–2010)[92]
  • Kelly Seyarto, SD-32 (2022–present)[90]
  • Scott Wilk, former SD-21 (2016–2024)[89]
  • Juan Alanis, AD-22 (2022–present)[93]
  • Leticia Castillo, AD-58 (2024–present)[90]
  • Phillip Chen, AD-59 (2016–present)[89]
  • Jordan Cunningham, former AD-35 (2016–2022)[89]
  • Laurie Davies, AD-74 (2020–present)[90]
  • Diane Dixon, AD-72 (2022–present)[89]
  • Heath Flora, minority leader of the California Assembly (2025–present) from AD-09 (2022–present) and AD-12 (2016–2022)[89]
  • Heather Hadwick, AD-01 (2024–present)[90]
  • Tom Lackey, AD-34 (2022–present)[89]
  • Joe Patterson, AD-05 (2022–present)[89]
  • Kate Sanchez, AD-71 (2022–present)[89]
  • Tri Ta, AD-70 (2022–present)[90]
  • Greg Wallis, AD-47 (2022–present)[89]
  • Devon Mathis, former AD-26 (2014–2022) and AD-33 (2022–2024)[89]
Local officials
  • Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner (2019–present)[92]
  • Curt Hagman, San Bernardino County supervisor from the 4th district (2014–present)[90]
  • Paul Miyamoto, San Francisco Sheriff (2020–present) (Democratic)[94]
Individuals
  • Lorenzo Lamas, actor and producer[95]
  • Royce Gracie, professional MMA fighter[95]
  • Dan Henderson, professional MMA fighter and wrestler[95]
  • Jeremy McGrath, professional motocross and supercross racer[96]
  • Tito Ortiz, former professional MMA fighter[83]
  • John Ratzenberger, actor[97]
Steve Hilton (R)
Executive branch officials
  • Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[98]
  • Jon Voight, special ambassador to Hollywood (2025–present)[99]
U.S. representatives
  • Kevin Kiley, CA-03 (2023–present) (Independent)[c][100]
  • Tom McClintock, CA-05 (2009–present)[101]
State legislators
  • Gloria Romero, former majority leader of the California Senate (2005–2008) from SD-24 (2001–2010) (candidate's running mate)[d][83]
  • Tony Strickland, SD-36 (2008–2012, 2025–present)[83]
Individuals
  • Lanhee Chen, member of the Amtrak Board of Directors (2024–present) (candidate's policy advisor)[83]
  • Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (deceased)[100]
  • Phil Mickelson, professional golfer[103]
  • Spencer Pratt, reality TV star[83]
  • Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur and Ohio gubernatorial candidate[100]
Matt Mahan (D)
U.S. representatives
  • Sam Liccardo, CA-16 (2025–present)[104]
State legislators
  • Catherine Blakespear, SD-38 (2022–present)[105]
  • Maggy Krell, AD-06 (2024–present)[105]
County officials
  • Matt Dorsey, San Francisco supervisor from the 6th district (2022–present)[106]
  • Joel Engardio, former San Francisco supervisor from the 4th district (2023–2025)[83]
Individuals
  • Rick Caruso, founder of Caruso and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022[37]
  • David Crane, lecturer[107]
  • Andrew Yang, founder of Venture for America and the Forward Party (United States). Former candidate for the 2020 United States presidential election and the 2021 New York City mayoral election. [108]
Organizations
  • Majority Democrats[109]
Katie Porter (D)
U.S. senators
  • Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present)[110]
U.S. representatives
  • Dave Min, CA-47 (2025–present)[111]
  • Derek Tran, CA-45 (2025–present)[112]
Labor unions
  • Amalgamated Transit Union[113]
  • California Conference of Machinists[114]
  • California Federation of Labor Unions (co-endorsement with Steyer and Villaraigosa; initially included Swalwell)[115][a]
  • International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Western States Council[116]
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441[83]
  • International Brotherhood of Teamsters California[117]
  • National Union of Healthcare Workers[118]
  • United Auto Workers Region 6[119][120]
Organizations
  • California Environmental Voters (co-endorsement with Steyer)[19]
  • EMILYs List[121]
  • End Citizens United[122]
  • Vote Mama[123]
  • Elect Democratic Women[124]
Ramsey Robinson (PFP)
Political parties
  • Peace and Freedom Party[125]
Tom Steyer (D)
Executive branch officials
  • John Podesta, former White House chief of staff (1998–2001) and senior advisor to the president for international climate policy (2024–2025)[126]
  • Ali Zaidi, former White House national climate advisor (2022–2025)[126]
U.S. representatives
  • Jared Huffman, CA-2 (2013–present)[127]
  • Ro Khanna, CA-17 (2017–present)[128]
State legislators
  • Toni Atkins, former gubernatorial candidate and president pro tempore of the California State Senate (2018–2024) from SD-39 (2016–2024)[19]
  • Steve Bennett, AD-38 (2020–present)[88]
  • Tasha Boerner, AD-77 (2018–present) (previously endorsed Atkins and Swalwell)[107]
  • Isaac Bryan, former majority leader of the California Assembly (2023) from AD-55 (2021–present)[129]
  • Gregg Hart, AD-37 (2022–present)[105]
  • Corey Jackson, AD-60 (2022–present) (previously endorsed Swalwell)[107]
  • Alex Lee, AD-24 (2020–present)[130]
  • Tina McKinnor, AD-61 (2022–present) (co-endorsement with Villaraigosa; previously endorsed Swalwell)[107]
  • Caroline Menjivar, SD-20 (2022–present)[19]
  • Ash Kalra, AD-25 (2016–present)[37]
  • Sharon Quirk-Silva, AD-67 (2022–present) and former AD-65 (2012–2014, 2016–2022)[85] (previously endorsed Becerra)[83]
  • Nick Schultz, AD-44 (2024–present) (previously endorsed Swalwell)[107]
  • Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, SD-28 (2022–present)[85]
  • Henry Stern, SD-27 (2016–present)[131]
  • Chris Ward, former speaker pro tempore of the California State Assembly (2022–2023) from AD-78 (2020–present) (previously endorsed Atkins)[132]
  • Rick Zbur, AD-51 (2022–present) (endorsed Yee)[133][134]
Individuals
  • Michael Brune, former executive director of the Sierra Club[126]
  • Bill McKibben, environmentalist[126]
  • Jane Fonda, actress and climate activist[135]
Labor unions
  • California School Employees Association[136]
  • California Nurses Association[137]
  • United Domestic Workers[138]
  • California Federation of Teachers[139]
  • California Federation of Labor Unions (co-endorsement with Porter and Villaraigosa; initially included Swalwell)[115][a]
  • California Teachers Association (previously endorsed Swalwell)[140]
Organizations
  • California Environmental Voters (co-endorsement with Porter)[19]
  • Jane Fonda Climate PAC[135]
  • Natural Resources Defense Council[141]
Tony Thurmond (D)
U.S. representatives
  • Laura Friedman, CA-30 (2025–present)[142]
State legislators
  • Ian Calderon, former majority leader of the California Assembly (2016–2020) from AD-57 (2012–2020) (entered race in September 2025)[143][e]
  • Sabrina Cervantes, SD-31 (2024–present)[144]
  • Anamarie Avila Farias, AD-15 (2024–present)[145]
  • Jackie Goldberg, former AD-45 (2000–2006)[144]
  • LaShae Sharp-Collins, AD-79 (2024–present) (previously endorsed Atkins)[145]
  • Akilah Weber, SD-39 (2024–present) (previously endorsed Atkins)[145]
Local officials
  • Barbara Lee, mayor of Oakland (2025–present)[146]
Labor union
  • California Faculty Association (co-endorsement with Becerra)[147]
Organizations
  • Black Women Organized for Political Action[148]
Antonio Villaraigosa (D)
U.S. senators
  • Barbara Boxer, former U.S. senator from California (1993–2017) (campaign co-chair; previously endorsed Kounalakis)[149]
U.S. representatives
  • Lucille Roybal-Allard, former CA-40 (1993–2023)[83]
  • Diane Watson, former CA-33 (2001–2011)[83]
Statewide officials
  • Cruz Bustamante, former lieutenant governor of California (1999–2007)[83]
State legislators
  • Bob Archuleta, SD-32 (2018–present) (co-endorsement with Becerra; previously endorsed Atkins)[83]
  • Wendy Carrillo, former AD-52 (2017–2024)[83]
  • María Elena Durazo, SD-26 (2018–present)[83]
  • Dean Florez, former SD-16 (2002–2010)[83]
  • Tina McKinnor, AD-61 (2022–present) (initially a co-endorsement with Swalwell; previously endorsed Atkins)[83][a]
  • Fabian Núñez, former speaker of the California State Assembly (2004–2008) from AD-46 (2002–2008)[83]
  • John Pérez, former speaker of the California State Assembly (2010–2014) from AD-53 (2008–2014)[83]
  • Esmeralda Soria, AD-27 (2022–present)[83]
  • Art Torres, former SD-24 (1982–1994)[83]
Local officials
  • Ashleigh Aitken, mayor of Anaheim (2022–present)[83]
  • Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles (2022–present)[150]
  • Bob Blumenfield, Los Angeles city councilmember from the 3rd district (2013–present)[83]
  • James T. Butts Jr., mayor of Inglewood (2011–present) (Independent)[83]
  • Jerry Dyer, mayor of Fresno (2021–present) (Republican)[83]
  • Marqueece Harris-Dawson, president of the Los Angeles City Council (2024–present) from the 8th district (2015–present)[83]
  • Heather Hutt, Los Angeles city councilmember from the 10th district (2022–present)[83]
  • Fred Keeley, mayor of Santa Cruz (2023–present) (co-endorsement with Yee)[83]
  • Tim McOsker, Los Angeles city councilmember from the 15th district (2022–present)[83]
  • R. Rex Parris, mayor of Lancaster (2008–present) (Republican)[83]
  • Curren Price, Los Angeles city councilmember from the 9th district (2013–present)[83]
Labor unions
  • California State United Association[151]
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers California State Association[152]
  • International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 3[153], 12[154], 39 and 501[83]
  • State Building and Construction Trades Council of California[155]
  • Teamsters Local 348[83]
  • California Federation of Labor Unions (co-endorsement with Steyer and Porter; initially included Swalwell)[115][a]
Newspapers
  • Los Angeles Sentinel[83]
Butch Ware (G) (write-in candidate)
State legislators
  • Nina Turner, former state senator from Ohio's 25th district (2008–2014) (Democratic)[156]
Political parties
  • Green Party of California[157]
Newspapers
  • San Francisco Bay View[158]
Betty Yee (D)
U.S. representatives
  • Sam Farr, former CA-20 (1993–2017)[83]
State legislators
  • Gail Pellerin, AD-28 (2022–present) (previously endorsed Atkins)[83]
  • Rick Zbur, AD-51 (2022–present) (previously endorsed Steyer)[134]
Local officials
  • Ron Galperin, former city controller of Los Angeles (2013–2022)[83]
  • Fred Keeley, mayor of Santa Cruz (2023–present) (co-endorsement with Villaraigosa)[83]
  • Lisa Middleton, former mayor of Palm Springs (2021–2022)[83]
  • Holly Mitchell, chair pro tempore of Los Angeles County (2020–2021, 2025–present) from the 2nd district (2020–present)[83]
  • Aaron Peskin, former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from the 3rd district (2001–2009, 2015–2025)[83]
  • Raj Salwan, mayor of Fremont (2024–present)[83]
Individuals
  • Ann Ravel, former member of the Federal Election Commission (2013–2017)[37]
Organizations
  • AAPI Victory Fund[83]
  • National Women's Political Caucus of California[83]
  • Progressive Democrats of America[37]
  • Progressive Democrats of California[159]
Ché Ahn (R) (not on primary ballot)
Individuals
  • Bill Johnson, senior pastor of Bethel Church[160]
Organizations
  • Don't Mess With My Children[161]
Toni Atkins (D) (withdrawn)
U.S. representatives
  • Scott Peters, CA-50 (2013–present) (endorsed Swalwell after Atkins withdrew)[162][163]
  • Juan Vargas, CA-52 (2013–present)[164]
Statewide officials
  • Tina Kotek, governor of Oregon (2023–present)[165]
State legislators
  • Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, majority leader of the California State Assembly (2023–present) from AD-04 (2016–present)[166]
  • David Alvarez, AD-80 (2020–present)[167]
  • Bob Archuleta, SD-32 (2018–present) (endorsed Villaraigosa and Becerra after Atkins withdrew)[168]
  • Catherine Blakespear, SD-38 (2022–present)[167]
  • Tasha Boerner, AD-77 (2018–present)[167] (endorsed Swalwell after Atkins withdrew)[19]
  • Susan Eggman, SD-05 (2020–2024)[169]
  • Jacqui Irwin, AD-42 (2014–present)[122]
  • Christine Kehoe, SD-39 (2004–2012)[170]
  • John Laird, SD-17 (2020–present)[166]
  • Brian Maienschein, AD-76 (2012–2024)[167]
  • Tina McKinnor, AD-61 (2022–present) (endorsed Villaraigosa after Atkins withdrew)[168]
  • Caroline Menjivar, SD-20 (2022–present)[166]
  • Mike McGuire, SD-02 (2024–present)[171]
  • Steve Padilla, SD-18 (2022–present)[167]
  • Gail Pellerin, AD-28 (2022–present) (endorsed Yee after Atkins withdrew)[168]
  • Richard Roth, SD-31 (2012–2024)[166]
  • LaShae Sharp-Collins, AD-79 (2024–present) (endorsed Thurmond after Atkins withdrew)[166]
  • Tom Umberg, SD-34 (2018–present)[168]
  • Chris Ward, former Speaker pro tempore of the California State Assembly (2022–2023) from AD-78 (2020–present) (endorsed Steyer after Atkins withdrew)[167]
  • Akilah Weber, SD-39 (2024–present) (endorsed Thurmond after Atkins withdrew)[167]
  • Scott Wiener, SD-11 (2016–present)[169]
Local officials
  • 8/9 members of the San Diego City Council[f][144]
  • Paloma Aguirre, San Diego supervisor from the 1st district (2025–present)[172]
  • Todd Gloria, mayor of San Diego (2013–2014, 2020–present)[144]
  • Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County supervisor from the 3rd district (2021–present)[144]
  • Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles County supervisor from the 2nd district (2020–present)[173]
  • Cori Schumacher, former Carlsbad city councilor from the 1st district (2016–2021)[174]
Labor unions
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569[175]
  • Western States Regional Council of Carpenters[176]
Organizations
  • California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus[169]
  • LPAC[144]
  • San Diego County Young Democrats[177]
  • San Diego Stonewall Democrats[178]
Eleni Kounalakis (D) (withdrawn)
Executive branch officials
  • Roberta Achtenberg, former member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (2011–2016)[144]
  • Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State (2009–2013), former U.S. senator from New York (2001–2009), former first lady (1993–2001), and Democratic nominee for president in 2016[179]
U.S. senators
  • Barbara Boxer, former U.S. senator from California (1993–2017)[180] (endorsed Villaraigosa after Kounalakis withdrew)[149]
U.S. representatives
  • Nancy Pelosi, CA-11 (1987–present)[181]
State legislators
  • Bill Dodd, SD-03 (2016–2024)[179]
  • Jacqui Irwin, AD-42 (2014–present) (endorsed Atkins after Kounalakis withdrew)[122]
  • Evan Low, AD-26 (2014–2024)[144]
  • Diane Papan, AD-21 (2022–present)[179]
Local officials
  • Art Agnos, former mayor of San Francisco (1988–1992)[182]
  • Kevin McCarty, mayor of Sacramento (2024–present)[179]
Zoltan Istvan (D) (withdrawn)
Political parties
  • U.S. Transhumanist Party (founded by candidate)[183]
Eric Swalwell (D) (withdrawn, will appear on ballot)
U.S. senators
  • Ruben Gallego, Arizona (2025-present)[141] (endorsement rescinded)[184][a]
  • Adam Schiff, California (2025–present)[41] (endorsement rescinded)[184][a]
U.S. representatives
  • Nanette Barragán, CA-44 (2017–present)[185] (endorsement rescinded)[186][a]
  • Ami Bera, CA-6 (2013–present)[187] (endorsement rescinded)[188][a]
  • Julia Brownley, CA-26 (2013–present)[163] (endorsement rescinded)[189][a]
  • Gil Cisneros, CA-31 (2025–present) and former CA-39 (2019–2021) (endorsement rescinded)[190][a]
  • Lou Correa, CA-46 (2017–present) (endorsement rescinded)[191][192][a]
  • Adam Gray, CA-13 (2025–present)[193] (endorsement rescinded)[194][a]
  • Jimmy Gomez, CA-34 (2017–present)[195] (endorsement rescinded)[184][a]
  • Adelita Grijalva, AZ-07 (2025–present)[196] (endorsement rescinded)[189][a]
  • Sydney Kamlager-Dove, CA-37 (2023–present) (endorsement rescinded)[197][a]
  • Ted Lieu, CA–36 (2013–present) (endorsement rescinded)[198][a]
  • Zoe Lofgren, CA-18 (1995–present)[199] (endorsement rescinded)[200][a]
  • Doris Matsui, CA-07 (2005–present)[83] (endorsement rescinded)[201][a]
  • Jared Moskowitz, FL-23 (2023-present)[202] (endorsement rescinded)[203][a]
  • Kevin Mullin, CA-15 (2023–present)[195] (endorsement rescinded)[198][a]
  • Jimmy Panetta, CA-19 (2017–present)[195] (endorsement rescinded)[189][a]
  • Scott Peters, CA-50 (2013–present)[163] (endorsement rescinded)[189][a]
  • Raul Ruiz, CA-25 (2013–present)[83] (endorsement rescinded)[204][a]
  • Linda Sánchez, CA-38 (2003–present)[205] (endorsement rescinded)[189][a]
  • Mike Thompson, CA-04 (1999–present) (endorsement rescinded)[206][a]
State legislators
  • Patrick Ahrens, AD-26 (2024–present)[130] (endorsement rescinded)[207][a]
  • Tasha Boerner, AD-77 (2018–present) (previously endorsed Atkins; endorsement rescinded; later endorsed Steyer)[19][107][a]
  • Mike Fong, AD-49 (2022–present)[208] (endorsement rescinded)[209][a]
  • Corey Jackson, AD-60 (2022–present)[210] (endorsement rescinded; later endorsed Steyer)[107][a]
  • Nick Schultz, AD-44 (2024–present)[83] (endorsement rescinded; later endorsed Steyer)[107][a]
  • Ian Calderon, former majority leader of the California Assembly (2016–2020) from AD-57 (2012–2020) and former gubernatorial candidate[211] (previously endorsed Thurmond; endorsement later rescinded)[198][a]
Local officials
  • Caroline Torosis, mayor of Santa Monica (2022–present) (endorsement rescinded)[212][a]
Individuals
  • Stephen Cloobeck, businessman and former gubernatorial candidate[24] (endorsement rescinded)[26][a]
Labor unions
  • California Conference of Machinists[114] (endorsement rescinded)[212][a]
  • California Teachers Association[163] (endorsement rescinded; later endorsed Steyer)[213][140][a]
  • California Professional Firefighters[214] (endorsement rescinded)[212][a]
  • Service Employees International Union California[215] (endorsement rescinded)[213][a]
  • California Federation of Labor Unions[115] (endorsement rescinded)[216][a]
Organizations
  • California Dental Association (endorsement rescinded)[217][a]
  • California Medical Association[218] (endorsement rescinded)[212][a]
Declined to endorse
Political parties
  • California Democratic Party[219]
  • California Republican Party[220]

Debates

2026 California gubernatorial primary debate
No. Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Republican Republican
Key:  P  Participant   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
 A  Absent   N  Not invited 
Becerra Mahan Steyer Thurmond Villaraigosa Yee Swalwell Porter Atkins Kounalakis Hilton Bianco
1 Sep. 29,
2024		 NUHW
Los Angeles Times
AP, Politico		 Laurel Rosenhall
Lisa Matthews
Melanie Mason		 YouTube A A A P A P A A P P A A
2 Feb. 3,
2026		 Black Action Alliance
KTVU FOX 2
KTTV FOX 11		 Greg Lee
Andre Senior
Marla Tellez		 Youtube P P P P P P I[g] I W W P I
3 Feb. 26,
2026[221]		 Jewish California Alex Cohen Youtube I[221] P P A P A P I[221] W W P I[221]
4 Apr. 22,
2026[222]		 Nexstar Media Group
NewsNation
The Hill		 Nikki Laurenzo
Frank Buckley		 N N I N N N W I W W I I
5 Apr. 28,
2026[223]		 Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association
CBS California
Pomona College		 Pat Harvey
Ryan Yamamoto
Tony Lopez
Julie Watts
Sara Sadhwani		 TBA

Canceled debate

A debate scheduled for March 24, 2026, hosted by the USC Center for the Political Future, KABC-TV, and KMEX-DT,[224] was ultimately canceled hours before it was set to begin.[225] Using a formula developed by USC political science professor Christian R. Grose that combined fundraising and polling data, only six candidates were invited: Republicans Bianco and Hilton, and Democrats Mahan, Porter, Steyer, and Swalwell.[226] The selection drew criticism, particularly because no nonwhite candidates qualified and because Mahan's strong fundraising offset weaker polling. USC and over 50 scholars defended the formula, but the debate was canceled after organizers could not agree to expand the field.[225]

Polling

Source of poll
aggregation		 Dates
administered		 Dates
updated		 Xavier
Becerra (D)		 Chad
Bianco (R)		 Steve
Hilton (R)		 Matt
Mahan (D)		 Katie
Porter (D)		 Tom
Steyer (D)		 Eric
Swalwell (D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa (D)		 Other/
Undecided[h]		 Margin
270toWin[227] March 18 – April 12, 2026 April 14, 2026 3.7% 11.3% 18.0% 4.0% 9.7% 14.7% 11.7% 3.7% 23.2%[i] Hilton +3.3%
Decision Desk HQ[228] through April 10, 2026 April 14, 2026 3.6% 10.5% 17.9% 4.0% 8.0% 14.7% 12.5% 3.2% 25.6% Hilton +3.2%
Race to the WH[229] through April 15, 2026 April 15, 2026 4.0% 11.4% 18.5% 4.4% 9.7% 15.0% 12.1% 3.7% 21.2%[j] Hilton +3.5%
RealClearPolitics[230] February 3 – April 10, 2026 April 14, 2026 4.3% 11.8% 15.5% 4.0% 10.5% 13.0% 12.5% 4.3% 24.1%[k] Hilton +2.5%
FiftyPlusOne[231] January 21 – April 15, 2026 April 15, 2026 – 12.1% 18.2% – 9.5% 13.9% 13.2% – 33.1% Hilton +4.3%
Average 3.9% 11.4% 17.6% 4.1% 9.5% 14.3% 12.4% 3.7% 23.1% Hilton +3.3%


Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[l]		 Margin
of error		 Xavier
Becerra
(D)		 Chad
Bianco
(R)		 Steve
Hilton
(R)		 Matt
Mahan
(D)		 Katie
Porter
(D)		 Tom
Steyer
(D)		 Eric
Swalwell
(D)		 Tony
Thurmond
(D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa
(D)		 Betty
Yee
(D)		 Other Undecided
April 12, 2026 Eric Swalwell withdraws from the race
SurveyUSA[232] April 8–10, 2026 788 (LV) ± 5.2% 4% 8% 18% 4% 8% 21% 9% 1% 5% 4% 0% 18%
David Binder Research (D)[233][A] April 1–6, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 4% 13% 22% 5% 11% 12% 18% 2% 2% 2% – 10%
Evitarus (D)[234][B] March 31 – April 5, 2026 1,200 (LV) ± 2.8% 4% 14% 14% 4% 7% 11% 12% <1% 4% 1% 4%[m] 24%
Kreate Strategies[235] March 23–29, 2026 700 (LV) ± 3.7% 2% 10% 19% 4% 8% 13% 13% – 2% 3% 6%[n] 20%
Echelon Insights (R)[236][C] March 12–17, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.1% 3% 14% 20% 4% 10% 13% 15% 1% 3% 2% 16%
Evitarus (D)[237][B] March 12–17, 2026 2,000 (LV) ± 2.2% 3% 14% 16% 3% 10% 10% 10% 1% 3% 2% 5%[o] 24%
Berkeley IGS[238][D] March 9–14, 2026 3,889 (LV) ± 2.5% 5% 16% 17% 4% 13% 10% 13% 1% 4% 1% 16%
Emerson College[239] March 7–9, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 3% 11% 13% 3% 8% 11% 17% 1% 3% 2% 1%[p] 25%
Politico/UC Berkeley/
TrueDot[240]		 February 25 – March 3, 2026 1,004 (LV) ± 3.3% 5% 11% 19% 3% 11% 13% 11% 1% 4% 2% 3%[q] 17%
Global Strategy Group (D)[241][E] February 27 – March 2, 2026 1,340 (LV) ± 3.5% 5% 15% 20% 3% 13% 16% 11% – 2% – – 15%
Independent Voter Project[242] February 13–20, 2026 868 (LV) ± 3.6% 3% 23% 15% 2% 12% 8% 18% 1% 3% 2% 0%[r] 13%
Emerson College[243] February 13–14, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 4% 14% 17% 3% 10% 9% 14% 2% 3% 2% 2%[s] 21%
PPIC[244] February 3–11, 2026 1,049 (LV) ± 3.9% 5% 12% 14% 3% 13% 10% 11% 2% 5% 5% 11%[t] 10%
Tavern Research (D)[245][F] February 2–5, 2026 1,097 (LV) ± 3.3% 6% 20% 12% 2% 9% 9% 10% –[u] 3% –[u] 4%[u] 25%
EMC Research (D)[246][G] January 29 – February 4, 2026 1,400 (V) – 6% 21% 17% 5% 12% 9% 18% 1% 3% 2% 2%[v] 4%
Global Strategy Group (D)[241][E] January 29 – February 3, 2026 – (LV) – 4% 18% 18% 3% 12% 10% 11% – 3% – – 21%
J Wallin Opinion Research[247][248][H] January 29 – February 1, 2026 1,000 (RV) – 6% 11% 14% 4% 8% 12% 9% 3% 7% 4% 7%[w] 15%
RBI Strategies & Research (D)[249][I] January 25–29, 2026 – (LV) – 4% 15% 16% 3% 13% 8% 14% 2% 3% – – 23%
Tulchin Research (D)[250][J] January 22–28, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 5% 15% 15% – 13% 10% 14% 1% 7% 2% 2%[x] 16%
Public Policy Polling (D)[251][K] January 20–21, 2026 1,001 (V) – 6% 18% 17% 5% 14% 8% 12% 1% 2% – – 17%
David Binder Research (D)[252][L] January 17–20, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 5% 17% 14% – 11% 8% 11% 2% 3% 1% 3%[y] 25%
CivicLens Research[253] December 14–16, 2025 400 (LV) ± 4.5% 1% 14% 18% – 9% 7% 12% 3% 2% 2% 3%[z] 31%
FM3 Research (D)[254][255] November 30 – December 7, 2025 632 (LV) ± 4.0% 3% 17% 18% – 13% 6% 17% 1% 3% 1% – 20%
Emerson College[256] December 1–2, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 4% 13% 12% – 11% 4% 12% 2% 5% 2% 5%[aa] 31%
Lake Research Partners (D)[257][M] November 17–20, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 6% 10% 17% – 15% 4% 10% 3% 7% 3% 1%[ab] 22%
PPIC[258] November 13–19, 2025 1,086 (LV) ± 3.9% 14% 10% 14% – 21% – – 2% 8% 7% 19%[ac] 5%
Tavern Research (D)[259][F] October 27–30, 2025 1,001 (LV) ± 4.0% 9% 16% 12% – 15% – – 2% 5% 3% 9%[ad] 29%
EMC Research (D)[260][N] October 22–26, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 9% 14% 20% – 16% 3% 11% 3% 5% 3% 16%[ae]
Emerson College[261] October 20–21, 2025 900 (LV) ± 3.19% 5% 11% 16% – 15% – – 3% 5% 2% 4%[af] 39%
Bold Decision[262] October 16–21, 2025 509 (LV) ± 4.3% 8% 14% 13% – 12% 7% – 1% 7% 4% 4%[ag] 29%
Emerson College[263] April 12–14, 2025 899 (LV) ± 3.2% 3% 4% – – 12% – – 2% 5% 3% 17%[ah] 54%
Hypothetical polling

with Rick Caruso

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[l]		 Margin
of error		 Xavier
Becerra
(D)		 Chad
Bianco
(R)		 Rick
Caruso
(D)		 Steve
Hilton
(R)		 Katie
Porter
(D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa
(D)		 Betty
Yee
(D)		 Other Undecided
Berkeley IGS[264][D] October 20–27, 2025 8,141 (RV) ± 2.0% 8% 13% 3% 8% 11% 5% 3% 5% 44%
Emerson College[265] September 15–16, 2025 1,000 (RV) ± 3% 5% 8% 4% 10% 16% 4% 3% 10%[ai] 38%
Berkeley IGS[266][D] August 11–17, 2025 4,950 (RV) ± 1.5% 9% 10% 4% 6% 17% 4% 2% 9%[aj] 38%
True Dot/
Politico[267]		 July 28–August 12, 2025 875 (RV) ± 2.6% 9% 15% 6% 10% 21% 9% 6% 15%[ak] 9%
Emerson College[268] August 4–5, 2025 1,000 (RV) ± 3% 3% 7% 4% 12% 18% 5% 2% 13%[al] 38%

with Alex Padilla

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[l]		 Margin
of error		 Xavier
Becerra
(D)		 Chad
Bianco
(R)		 Rick
Caruso
(D)		 Steve
Hilton
(R)		 Alex
Padilla
(D)		 Katie
Porter
(D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa
(D)		 Betty
Yee
(D)		 Other Undecided
Emerson College[265] September 15–16, 2025 1,000 (RV) ± 3% 3% 8% 4% 10% 7% 16% 4% 2% 9%[am] 36%

with Kamala Harris

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[l]		 Margin
of error		 Xavier
Becerra
(D)		 Chad
Bianco
(R)		 Kamala
Harris
(D)		 Eleni
Kounalakis
(D)		 Kyle
Langford
(R)		 Katie
Porter
(D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa
(D)		 Other Undecided
Emerson College[263] April 12–14, 2025 911 (LV) ± 3.2% 2% 4% 31% 2% 2% 8% 2% 10%[an] 39%

with John Cox, Lanhee Chen and Rob Bonta

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[l]		 Margin
of error		 Toni
Atkins
(D)		 Xavier
Becerra
(D)		 Rob
Bonta
(D)		 Lanhee
Chen
(R)		 John
Cox
(R)		 Kamala
Harris
(D)		 Eleni
Kounalakis
(D)		 Katie
Porter
(D)		 Tony
Thurmond
(D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa
(D)		 Betty
Yee
(D)		 Other
Capitol Weekly[269] February 3–7, 2025 692 (RV) – 2% 4% 7% 10% 21% 23% 2% 16% 1% 2% 2% 10%[ao]
1073[ap] 3% 5% 9% 9% 21% – 5% 26% 2% 3% 3% 12%[aq]

with Brian Dahle

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[l]		 Margin
of error		 Toni
Atkins (D)		 Xavier
Becerra (D)		 Chad
Bianco (R)		 Brian
Dahle (R)		 Steve
Hilton (R)		 Eleni
Kounalakis (D)		 Katie
Porter (D)		 Tony
Thurmond (D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa (D)		 Betty
Yee (D)		 Other Undecided
USC/CSU Long Beach/
Cal Poly Pomona[270]		 September 12–25, 2024 1,685 (LV) ± 2.4% 1% 3% 5% 5% 4% 2% 14% 1% 3% 3% 9%[ar] 50%
Tulchin Research (D)[271][J] August 8–12, 2024 800 (LV) ± 3.5% – – – 13% 10% 10% 4% 4% 13% 7% – 39%

with Steve Garvey

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[l]		 Margin
of error		 Toni
Atkins (D)		 Xavier
Becerra (D)		 Chad
Bianco (R)		 Steve
Garvey (R)		 Eleni
Kounalakis (D)		 Katie
Porter (D)		 Tony
Thurmond (D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa (D)		 Betty
Yee (D)		 Other Undecided
Breakthrough Campaigns[272][O] November 22–26, 2024 1,228 (LV) ± 2.8% 1% 2% 6% 18% 8% 21% 3% 3% 3% 23%[as] 12%
3% 6% 14% 21% 9% 24% 2% 3% 6% 1%[at] 11%

"Democratic Primary Poll"[au]

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[l]		 Margin
of error		 Toni
Atkins
(D)		 Stephen
Cloobeck
(D)		 Kamala
Harris
(D)		 Eleni
Kounalakis
(D)		 Katie
Porter
(D)		 Tony
Thurmond
(D)		 Antonio
Villaraigosa
(D)		 Betty
Yee
(D)		 Other Undecided
Emerson College[273][P] February 10–11, 2025 469 (RV) ± 4.5% 3% 1% 57% 4% 9% 1% 4% 2% 3%[av] 17%
3% 3% – 5% 21% 3% 9% 3% 9%[aw] 45%

Results

Full results
Primary election results
Party Candidate Votes %
No party preference Margaret Trowe
Democratic Tony Thurmond
Democratic Thunder Parley
Democratic Katie Porter
Libertarian Tom Woodard
Republican Leo Samuel Zacky
Democratic Erin "Zez" Zezulak
Republican David Zickefoose
No party preference Amanda Martin
Democratic Matt Mahan
No party preference Brent Maupin
No party preference Daniel Mercuri
Democratic Betty Yee
No party preference Nancy D. Young
Republican Alicia Olivia Lapp
Democratic Matthew Chase Levy
No party preference Duane Terrence Loynes Jr.
No party preference LivingForGod AndCountry DeMott
Republican Patricia De Luca Basualdo
Democratic Louis A. De Barraicua
Republican Randeep S. Dhillon
Democratic Raji Rab
Peace and Freedom Ramsey Robinson
Democratic Satish Rao
No party preference Jon Henderson
No party preference Lewis Herms
Republican Rafael M. Hernandez
Republican Steve Hilton
No party preference Naomi Bar-Lev
Republican Chad Bianco
Democratic Xavier Becerra
Democratic Carolina Buhler
No party preference Joseph Cabrera
No party preference Elaine Culotti
Democratic Joel E. Jacob
No party preference Serge Fiankan
No party preference Lukasz Adam Filinski
No party preference Max Fomin
Republican Leo Naranjo IV
Republican Tim Nelson
No party preference Reza Safarnejad
No party preference Sam Sandak
No party preference Christine R. Sarmiento
No party preference Frederic C. Schultz
Democratic Scott P. Shields
Republican Gretha Solórzano
Democratic Tom Steyer
Democratic Eric Swalwell (withdrawn)
Republican James Athans Jr.
Democratic Larry Azevedo
Democratic Mohammad Arif
Democratic Akinyemi Agbede
Democratic Derek Grasty
No party preference Don J. Grundmann
No party preference Dawit Kellel
Democratic Gary Howard Kidgell
No party preference Anne Komarovsk
Democratic Sophia Edum-a-Sam
Democratic Barack D. Obama Shaw
No party preference Mauro Alberto Orozco
Democratic Antonio Villaraigosa
Total votes 100.0

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[274] Solid D January 23, 2026
Inside Elections[275] Solid D August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[276] Safe D September 4, 2025
Race to the WH[277] Safe D December 7, 2025

See also

  • 2026 California elections
  • 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq Endorsement rescinded following allegations of sexual assault levied against Swalwell by multiple women.[22][23]
  2. ^ Robinson is a member of both the Peace and Freedom Party and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
  3. ^ Elected as a Republican, reregistered in 2026 as an independent
  4. ^ California holds separate elections for governor and lieutenant governor, but Romero and Hilton have declared that they are running on a "joint ticket".[102]
  5. ^ Calderon endorsed Swalwell after dropping out of the race, but rescinded his endorsement in April 2026 in light of sexual assault allegations from a former staffer.
  6. ^ When the article was published, San Diego had 8 city councilors, all 8 of whom endorsed Atkins. A ninth councilor was sworn in after the 2024 election.
  7. ^ Did not attend due to the January–February 2026 United States federal government shutdown
  8. ^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  9. ^ Betty Yee (D) with 2.7%; Tony Thurmond (D) at 1.0%
  10. ^ Betty Yee (D) with 2.5%; Butch Ware (G) with 2.0%; Leo Zacky (R) with 1.0%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 0.9%
  11. ^ Betty Yee (D) with 3.0%
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  13. ^ "Prefer not to answer" and "Some other candidate" with 2%; "Will skip that office on the ballot" with <1%
  14. ^ "Someone else" with 6%
  15. ^ "Prefer not to answer" with 3%; "Some other candidate" with 2%; "Will skip that office on the ballot" with <1%
  16. ^ "Someone else" with 1%
  17. ^ Ian Calderon (D) with 2%; "Would not vote" with 1%
  18. ^ Ian Calderon (D) with 0%
  19. ^ Ian Calderon (D) and "Someone else" with 1%; John Slavett (R) with 0%
  20. ^ "Someone else" with 3%; Butch Ware (G) with 2%; Ian Calderon (D), Brandon Jones (R), Jimmy Parker (R), Jon Slavet (R), Leo Zacky (R), and "No One" with 1%; Sharifah Hardie (R), Kyle Langford (R), and Daniel Mercuri (R) with 0%
  21. ^ a b c "All other candidates (Yee, Calderon, Thurmond)" and "Other" with 2%
  22. ^ Butch Ware (G) with 2%; Ian Calderon (D) with 0%
  23. ^ John Slavet (R) with 5%; Ian Calderon (D) with 2%
  24. ^ Ché Ahn (R) and Jon Slavet (R) with 1%
  25. ^ Leo Zacky (R) and "Someone else" with 1%; Ian Calderon (D) and Jon Slavet (R) with <1%
  26. ^ "Someone else" with 3%
  27. ^ "Someone else" and "Not planning to vote" with 2%; Ian Calderon (D) with 1%
  28. ^ Ian Calderon (D) with 1%
  29. ^ "Someone else" with 12%; Ian Calderon (D), Sharifah Hardie (R), Brandon Jones (R), Kyle Langford (R), Daniel Mercuri (R), Jimmy Parker (R), and Butch Ware (G) with 1%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Leo Zacky (R) with <1%
  30. ^ Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Ian Calderon (D) with 1%, "Other" with 7%
  31. ^ Butch Ware (G) at 2%; Ian Calderon (D) at 1%; "Someone else" with 13%
  32. ^ Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Ian Calderon (D) with 1%; "Someone else" with 2%
  33. ^ Ian Calderon (D) and Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 2%
  34. ^ Eleni Kounalakis (D) with 3%; Toni Atkins (D) and Kyle Langford (R) with 2%; Stephen Cloobeck (D), Brandon Jones (R), Daniel Mercuri (R), and Jimmy Parker (R) with 1%; Sharifah Hardie (R), Butch Ware (G), Michael Younger (D), and Leo Zacky (R) with <1%; "Someone else" with 5%
  35. ^ Toni Atkins (D), Sharifah Hardie (R), Brandon Jones (R), Kyle Langford (R), Jimmy Parker (R), Tony Thurmond (D) and Butch Ware (G) with 1%; Stephen Cloobeck (D), Daniel Mercuri (R) and Leo Zacky (R) with <.5%; "Someone else" with 2%
  36. ^ Brian Dahle (R) and Richard Grenell (R) with 2%; Toni Atkins (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 1%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with <1%; "Someone else" with 3%
  37. ^ Eleni Kounalakis (D) with 7%; Toni Atkins (D) with 4%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 2%
  38. ^ Eleni Kounalakis (D) with 3%; Toni Atkins (D) and Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 2%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 1%; "Someone else" with 5%
  39. ^ Tony Thurmond (D), Toni Atkins (D), Stephen Cloobeck (D), Sharifah Hardie (R), Daniel Mercuri (R), Kyle Langford (R) and Jimmy Parker (R) with 1%; Brandon Jones (R), Leo Zacky (R) and Butch Ware (G) with <.5%; "Someone else" with 2%
  40. ^ "Someone else" with 3%; Betty Yee (D), Stephen Cloobeck (D), Toni Atkins (D), Tony Thurmond (D), Sharifah Hardie (R), Brandon Jones (R), and Jimmy Parker (R) with 1%; Daniel Mercuri (R), Butch Ware (G), Michael Younger (D), and Leo Zacky (R) with <.5%
  41. ^ Rick Caruso (D) with 8%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 2%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
  42. ^ Total says 1073, but numbers add up to 1071
  43. ^ Rick Caruso (D) with 8%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 4%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
  44. ^ Rob Bonta (D) with 4%; Rick Caruso (D) with 3%; Lanhee Chen (R) with 2%
  45. ^ Brian Dahle (R) with 9%; Rob Bonta (D) with 6%; Rick Caruso with 5%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 3%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
  46. ^ Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 1%
  47. ^ Survey asked only Democratic voters. In California, all candidates run on the same ballot in a "blanket primary."
  48. ^ "Someone else" with 3%; Michael Younger (D) with 1%
  49. ^ "Someone else" with 8%; Michael Younger (D) with 1%

Partisan and media clients

  1. ^ Poll sponsored by Californians for a Fighter PAC
  2. ^ a b Poll sponsored by the California Democratic Party
  3. ^ Poll sponsored by Hilton's campaign
  4. ^ a b c Poll sponsored by the Los Angeles Times
  5. ^ a b Poll sponsored by Steyer's campaign
  6. ^ a b Poll sponsored by Becerra's campaign
  7. ^ Poll sponsored by Swalwell's campaign
  8. ^ Poll sponsored by Slavet's campaign
  9. ^ Poll sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 101, which opposes Mahan
  10. ^ a b Poll sponsored by Villaraigosa's campaign
  11. ^ Poll sponsored by Porter's campaign
  12. ^ Poll sponsored by California Environmental Voters, who co-endorsed Porter and Steyer.[19]
  13. ^ Poll sponsored by Thurmond's campaign
  14. ^ Poll sponsored by an unnamed group supporting Swalwell's campaign
  15. ^ Poll sponsored by Woman Up
  16. ^ Poll sponsored by Inside California Politics and The Hill

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