2026 California gubernatorial election

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2026 California gubernatorial election will be held 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 to a third term.

Quick facts
2026 California gubernatorial election
← 2022
November 3, 2026 (2026-11-03)
2030 →
Incumbent Governor

Gavin Newsom
Democratic


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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

Withdrawn

Declined

Republican Party

Declared

Disqualified

Withdrawn

Declined

Green Party

Declared

Libertarian Party

Declared

Not on primary ballot

  • Nicholas Thompson, college student[32][5]

Declined

Peace and Freedom Party

Declared

No party preference

Declared

  • Naomi Bar-Lev, musician[5]
  • Joseph Cabrera, administrator[5]
  • Elaine Culotti, entrepreneur[65]
  • LivingForGod AndCountry DeMott, chaplain[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][66]
  • Dawit Kellel[5]
  • Anne Komarovsk, communications executive[5]
  • Duane Terrence Loynes Jr., nominee of the American Solidarity Party[5][67]
  • 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[68]
  • 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[69][5]
  • Ryan Tillman, police officer[70][5]
  • David Thelen, blogger[70][5]

Declined

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.[72]

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.[73][74] 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.[75]

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.[74] 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.[72] Former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla opted against running for governor.[74]

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.[76] 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.[77]

Following the allegations, several staff members resigned from Eric Swalwell's campaign, including co-chairs Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray.[78][79] Notably, the California Teachers Association revoked its endorsement,[78] while U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego also withdrew their support.[79] House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called on Swalwell to end his campaign.[80] By April 11, all of Swalwell's 21 fellow members of Congress previously endorsing him had withdrawn their support.[81] The following day, he announced that he was suspending his campaign for governor.[82] On April 13, Swalwell announced he had plans to resign from Congress,[83] and formally left on April 14.[84]

Endorsements

Xavier Becerra (D)
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Labor unions
Organizations
Chad Bianco (R)
Executive branch officials
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Organizations
Steve Hilton (R)
Executive branch officials
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Individuals
Matt Mahan (D)
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
County officials
Individuals
Organizations
Katie Porter (D)
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Labor unions
Organizations
Ramsey Robinson (PFP)
Political parties
Tom Steyer (D)
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations
Tony Thurmond (D)
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Labor union
Organizations
Antonio Villaraigosa (D)
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Labor unions
Newspapers
Butch Ware (G) (write-in candidate)
State legislators
Political parties
Newspapers
Ché Ahn (R) (not on primary ballot)
Individuals
Organizations
Toni Atkins (D) (withdrawn)
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Labor unions
Organizations
Eleni Kounalakis (D) (withdrawn)
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Zoltan Istvan (D) (withdrawn)
Political parties
Eric Swalwell (D) (withdrawn, will appear on ballot)
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations
Betty Yee (D) (withdrawn, will appear on ballot)
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Organizations
Declined to endorse
Statewide officials
Organizations
Political parties

Debates

More information No., Date ...
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 A[g] A W W P A
3 Feb. 26,
2026[249]		 Jewish California Alex Cohen Youtube A P P N P N P A W W P A
4 Apr. 22,
2026[250]		 Nexstar Media Group
NewsNation
The Hill		 Nikki Laurenzo
Frank Buckley		 Youtube P P P N N W W P W W P P
5 Apr. 28,
2026[251]		 Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association
CBS California
Pomona College		 Pat Harvey
Ryan Yamamoto
Tony Lopez
Julie Watts
Sara Sadhwani		 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA W W TBA W W TBA TBA
6 May 5,
2026[252]		 CNN Elex Michaelson
Kaitlan Collins		 I I I TBA I W W I W W I I
Close

Canceled debate

A debate scheduled for March 24, 2026, hosted by the USC Center for the Political Future, KABC-TV, and KMEX-DT,[253] was ultimately canceled hours before it was set to begin.[254] 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.[255] 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.[254]

Polling

More information Source of poll aggregation, Dates administered ...
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[256] April 12 – April 20, 2026 April 21, 2026 10.4% 13.4% 18.0% 4.4% 9.8% 15.8% 13.5% 3.0% 11.7%[i] Hilton +2.2%
Decision Desk HQ[257] through April 20, 2026 April 21, 2026 12.7% 13.6% 18.0% 4.7% 9.5% 14.6% – 2.3% 24.6% Hilton +3.4%
Race to the WH[258] through April 20, 2026 April 21, 2026 13.0% 14.3% 18.2% 4.8% 10.7% 14.5% – 2.3% 22.2%[j] Hilton +3.7%
RealClearPolitics[259] February 3 – April 15, 2026 April 16, 2026 6.0% 13.0% 17.3% 4.5% 10.3% 14.8% 13.3% 4.3% 16.5% Hilton +2.5%
FiftyPlusOne[260] January 21 – April 20, 2026 April 21, 2026 – 13.6% 18.0% – 10.1% 14.6% 11.8% – 31.9% Hilton +3.4%
Average 10.5% 13.6% 17.9% 4.6% 10.1% 14.9% 12.9% 3.0% 12.5% Hilton +3.0%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[k]		 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 20, 2026 Yee withdraws from the race, endorses Steyer
Independent Voter Project[261] April 14–20, 2026 3,404 (LV) ± 2.2% 23% 17% 20% 4% 11% 14% – 1% 1% 1% 8%
Gudelunas Strategies[262][A] April 14–18, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 15% 14% 20% 6% 13% 15% <1% 2% 3% 2% 1%[l] 10%
Kreate Strategies[263] April 12–18, 2026 900 (LV) ± 3.2% 10% 14% 18% 4% 10% 16% – – 1% 2% – 23%
Evitarus (D)[264][B] April 15–17, 2026 1,200 (LV) ± 2.8% 13% 14% 16% 5% 10% 13% 1% 1% 2% 1% 4%[m] 20%
Emerson College[265][C] April 14–15, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 10% 14% 17% 5% 10% 14% – 1% 3% 1% 1%[l] 23%
April 12, 2026 Swalwell withdraws from the race
Impact Research (D)[266][D] April 8–12, 2026 900 (LV) ± 3.3% 7% 10% 25% 8% 14% 16% – – – – 5% 9%
SurveyUSA[267] April 8–10, 2026 788 (LV) ± 5.2% 4% 8% 18% 4% 8% 21% 9% 1% 5% 4% 0% 18%
April 6, 2026 President Trump endorses Hilton
David Binder Research (D)[268][E] April 1–6, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 4% 13% 22% 5% 11% 12% 18% 2% 2% 2% – 10%
Evitarus (D)[269][B] March 31 – April 5, 2026 1,200 (LV) ± 2.8% 4% 14% 14% 4% 7% 11% 12% <1% 4% 1% 4%[m] 24%
PPIC[270] March 26 – April 3, 2026 1,008 (LV) ± 3.9% 5% 14% 17% 5% 10% 14% 18% 2% 5% 3% 1%[l] 5%
Kreate Strategies[271] March 23–29, 2026 700 (LV) ± 3.7% 2% 10% 19% 4% 8% 13% 13% – 2% 3% 6%[n] 20%
Echelon Insights (R)[272][F] March 12–17, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.1% 3% 14% 20% 4% 10% 13% 15% 1% 3% 2% 16%
Evitarus (D)[273][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[274][G] March 9–14, 2026 3,889 (LV) ± 2.5% 5% 16% 17% 4% 13% 10% 13% 1% 4% 1% 16%
Emerson College[275] March 7–9, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 3% 11% 13% 3% 8% 11% 17% 1% 3% 2% 1%[l] 25%
Politico/UC Berkeley/
TrueDot[276]		 February 25 – March 3, 2026 1,004 (LV) ± 3.3% 5% 11% 19% 3% 11% 13% 11% 1% 4% 2% 3%[p] 17%
Global Strategy Group (D)[277][H] February 27 – March 2, 2026 1,340 (LV) ± 3.5% 5% 15% 20% 3% 13% 16% 11% – 2% – – 15%
Independent Voter Project[278] February 13–20, 2026 868 (LV) ± 3.6% 3% 23% 15% 2% 12% 8% 18% 1% 3% 2% 0%[q] 13%
Emerson College[279] February 13–14, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 4% 14% 17% 3% 10% 9% 14% 2% 3% 2% 2%[r] 21%
PPIC[280] February 3–11, 2026 1,049 (LV) ± 3.9% 5% 12% 14% 3% 13% 10% 11% 2% 5% 5% 11%[s] 10%
Tavern Research (D)[281][I] February 2–5, 2026 1,097 (LV) ± 3.3% 6% 20% 12% 2% 9% 9% 10% –[t] 3% –[t] 4%[t] 25%
EMC Research (D)[282][J] January 29 – February 4, 2026 1,400 (V) – 6% 21% 17% 5% 12% 9% 18% 1% 3% 2% 2%[u] 4%
Global Strategy Group (D)[277][H] January 29 – February 3, 2026 – (LV) – 4% 18% 18% 3% 12% 10% 11% – 3% – – 21%
J Wallin Opinion Research[283][284][K] January 29 – February 1, 2026 1,000 (RV) – 6% 11% 14% 4% 8% 12% 9% 3% 7% 4% 7%[v] 15%
RBI Strategies & Research (D)[285][L] January 25–29, 2026 – (LV) – 4% 15% 16% 3% 13% 8% 14% 2% 3% – – 23%
Tulchin Research (D)[286][M] January 22–28, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 5% 15% 15% – 13% 10% 14% 1% 7% 2% 2%[w] 16%
Public Policy Polling (D)[287][N] January 20–21, 2026 1,001 (V) – 6% 18% 17% 5% 14% 8% 12% 1% 2% – – 17%
David Binder Research (D)[288][O] January 17–20, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 5% 17% 14% – 11% 8% 11% 2% 3% 1% 3%[x] 25%
CivicLens Research[289] December 14–16, 2025 400 (LV) ± 4.5% 1% 14% 18% – 9% 7% 12% 3% 2% 2% 3%[y] 31%
FM3 Research (D)[290][291] November 30 – December 7, 2025 632 (LV) ± 4.0% 3% 17% 18% – 13% 6% 17% 1% 3% 1% – 20%
Emerson College[292] December 1–2, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 4% 13% 12% – 11% 4% 12% 2% 5% 2% 5%[z] 31%
Lake Research Partners (D)[293][P] November 17–20, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 6% 10% 17% – 15% 4% 10% 3% 7% 3% 1%[aa] 22%
PPIC[294] November 13–19, 2025 1,086 (LV) ± 3.9% 14% 10% 14% – 21% – – 2% 8% 7% 19%[ab] 5%
Tavern Research (D)[295][I] October 27–30, 2025 1,001 (LV) ± 4.0% 9% 16% 12% – 15% – – 2% 5% 3% 9%[ac] 29%
EMC Research (D)[296][Q] October 22–26, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 9% 14% 20% – 16% 3% 11% 3% 5% 3% 16%[ad]
Emerson College[297] October 20–21, 2025 900 (LV) ± 3.19% 5% 11% 16% – 15% – – 3% 5% 2% 4%[ae] 39%
Bold Decision[298] October 16–21, 2025 509 (LV) ± 4.3% 8% 14% 13% – 12% 7% – 1% 7% 4% 4%[af] 29%
Emerson College[299] April 12–14, 2025 899 (LV) ± 3.2% 3% 4% – – 12% – – 2% 5% 3% 17%[ag] 54%
Close
Hypothetical polling

with Rick Caruso

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[k]		 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[300][G] October 20–27, 2025 8,141 (RV) ± 2.0% 8% 13% 3% 8% 11% 5% 3% 5% 44%
Emerson College[301] September 15–16, 2025 1,000 (RV) ± 3% 5% 8% 4% 10% 16% 4% 3% 10%[ah] 38%
Berkeley IGS[302][G] August 11–17, 2025 4,950 (RV) ± 1.5% 9% 10% 4% 6% 17% 4% 2% 9%[ai] 38%
True Dot/
Politico[303]		 July 28–August 12, 2025 875 (RV) ± 2.6% 9% 15% 6% 10% 21% 9% 6% 15%[aj] 9%
Emerson College[304] August 4–5, 2025 1,000 (RV) ± 3% 3% 7% 4% 12% 18% 5% 2% 13%[ak] 38%
Close

with Alex Padilla

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[k]		 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[301] September 15–16, 2025 1,000 (RV) ± 3% 3% 8% 4% 10% 7% 16% 4% 2% 9%[al] 36%
Close

with Kamala Harris

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[k]		 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[299] April 12–14, 2025 911 (LV) ± 3.2% 2% 4% 31% 2% 2% 8% 2% 10%[am] 39%
Close

with John Cox, Lanhee Chen and Rob Bonta

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[k]		 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[305] February 3–7, 2025 692 (RV) – 2% 4% 7% 10% 21% 23% 2% 16% 1% 2% 2% 10%[an]
1073[ao] 3% 5% 9% 9% 21% – 5% 26% 2% 3% 3% 12%[ap]
Close

with Brian Dahle

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[k]		 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[306]		 September 12–25, 2024 1,685 (LV) ± 2.4% 1% 3% 5% 5% 4% 2% 14% 1% 3% 3% 9%[aq] 50%
Tulchin Research (D)[307][M] August 8–12, 2024 800 (LV) ± 3.5% – – – 13% 10% 10% 4% 4% 13% 7% – 39%
Close

with Steve Garvey

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[k]		 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[308][R] November 22–26, 2024 1,228 (LV) ± 2.8% 1% 2% 6% 18% 8% 21% 3% 3% 3% 23%[ar] 12%
3% 6% 14% 21% 9% 24% 2% 3% 6% 1%[as] 11%
Close

"Democratic Primary Poll"[at]

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[k]		 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[309][S] February 10–11, 2025 469 (RV) ± 4.5% 3% 1% 57% 4% 9% 1% 4% 2% 3%[au] 17%
3% 3% – 5% 21% 3% 9% 3% 9%[av] 45%
Close

Results

Full results
More information Party, Candidate ...
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 (withdrawn)
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
Close

General election

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[310] Solid D January 23, 2026
Inside Elections[311] Solid D August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[312] Safe D September 4, 2025
Race to the WH[313] Safe D December 7, 2025
Close

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Endorsement rescinded following allegations of sexual assault levied against Swalwell by multiple women.[21][22]
  2. [b]
    Robinson is a member of both the Peace and Freedom Party and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
  3. [c]
    Elected as a Republican, reregistered in 2026 as an independent
  4. [d]
    California holds separate elections for governor and lieutenant governor, but Romero and Hilton have declared that they are running on a "joint ticket".[112]
  5. [e]
    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. [f]
    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. [g]
    Did not attend due to the January–February 2026 United States federal government shutdown
  8. [h]
    Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  9. [i]
    Tony Thurmond (D) at 1.3%
  10. [j]
    Butch Ware (G) with 2.0%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 1.2%; Leo Zacky (R) with 1.0%
  11. [k]
    Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  12. [l]
    "Someone else" with 1%
  13. [m]
    "Prefer not to answer" and "Some other candidate" with 2%; "Will skip that office on the ballot" with <1%
  14. [n]
    "Someone else" with 6%
  15. [o]
    "Prefer not to answer" with 3%; "Some other candidate" with 2%; "Will skip that office on the ballot" with <1%
  16. [p]
    Ian Calderon (D) with 2%; "Would not vote" with 1%
  17. [q]
    Ian Calderon (D) with 0%
  18. [r]
    Ian Calderon (D) and "Someone else" with 1%; John Slavett (R) with 0%
  19. [s]
    "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%
  20. [t]
    "All other candidates (Yee, Calderon, Thurmond)" and "Other" with 2%
  21. [u]
    Butch Ware (G) with 2%; Ian Calderon (D) with 0%
  22. [v]
    John Slavet (R) with 5%; Ian Calderon (D) with 2%
  23. [w]
    Ché Ahn (R) and Jon Slavet (R) with 1%
  24. [x]
    Leo Zacky (R) and "Someone else" with 1%; Ian Calderon (D) and Jon Slavet (R) with <1%
  25. [y]
    "Someone else" with 3%
  26. [z]
    "Someone else" and "Not planning to vote" with 2%; Ian Calderon (D) with 1%
  27. [aa]
    Ian Calderon (D) with 1%
  28. [ab]
    "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%
  29. [ac]
    Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Ian Calderon (D) with 1%, "Other" with 7%
  30. [ad]
    Butch Ware (G) at 2%; Ian Calderon (D) at 1%; "Someone else" with 13%
  31. [ae]
    Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Ian Calderon (D) with 1%; "Someone else" with 2%
  32. [af]
    Ian Calderon (D) and Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 2%
  33. [ag]
    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%
  34. [ah]
    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%
  35. [ai]
    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%
  36. [aj]
    Eleni Kounalakis (D) with 7%; Toni Atkins (D) with 4%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) and Tony Thurmond (D) with 2%
  37. [ak]
    Eleni Kounalakis (D) with 3%; Toni Atkins (D) and Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 2%; Tony Thurmond (D) with 1%; "Someone else" with 5%
  38. [al]
    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%
  39. [am]
    "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%
  40. [an]
    Rick Caruso (D) with 8%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 2%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
  41. [ao]
    Total says 1073, but numbers add up to 1071
  42. [ap]
    Rick Caruso (D) with 8%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 4%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
  43. [aq]
    Rob Bonta (D) with 4%; Rick Caruso (D) with 3%; Lanhee Chen (R) with 2%
  44. [ar]
    Brian Dahle (R) with 9%; Rob Bonta (D) with 6%; Rick Caruso with 5%; Laphonza Butler (D) with 3%; Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 0%
  45. [as]
    Stephen Cloobeck (D) with 1%
  46. [at]
    Survey asked only Democratic voters. In California, all candidates run on the same ballot in a "blanket primary."
  47. [au]
    "Someone else" with 3%; Michael Younger (D) with 1%
  48. [av]
    "Someone else" with 8%; Michael Younger (D) with 1%

Partisan and media clients

  1. [A]
    Poll commissioned by the committee "California is Not For Sale", which opposes Steyer
  2. [B]
    Poll sponsored by the California Democratic Party
  3. [C]
    Poll sponsored by Inside California Politics
  4. [D]
    Poll sponsored by Mahan's campaign
  5. [E]
    Poll sponsored by Californians for a Fighter PAC
  6. [F]
    Poll sponsored by Hilton's campaign
  7. [G]
    Poll sponsored by the Los Angeles Times
  8. [H]
    Poll sponsored by Steyer's campaign
  9. [I]
    Poll sponsored by Becerra's campaign
  10. [J]
    Poll sponsored by Swalwell's campaign
  11. [K]
    Poll sponsored by Slavet's campaign
  12. [L]
    Poll sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 101, which opposes Mahan
  13. [M]
    Poll sponsored by Villaraigosa's campaign
  14. [N]
    Poll sponsored by Porter's campaign
  15. [O]
    Poll sponsored by California Environmental Voters, who co-endorsed Porter and Steyer.[18]
  16. [P]
    Poll sponsored by Thurmond's campaign
  17. [Q]
    Poll sponsored by an unnamed group supporting Swalwell's campaign
  18. [R]
    Poll sponsored by Woman Up
  19. [S]
    Poll sponsored by Inside California Politics and The Hill

References

External links

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