who is running for governor of california

The main candidates running for governor of California in the 2026 election include a crowded field of Democrats and some Republicans. Key Democratic candidates are Katie Porter (former congresswoman and law professor), Xavier Becerra (former Secretary of Health and Human Services and state attorney general), Tony Thurmond (Secretary of Public Instruction), Antonio Villaraigosa (former Los Angeles Mayor), Ian Calderon (former state Assemblymember), Betty Yee (former state comptroller), and Stephen J. Cloobeck (businessman). Republican candidates include Steve Hilton (political commentator), Chad Bianco (Riverside County Sheriff), and Leo Zacky. The governor's race follows California's top-two primary system, where all candidates compete and the top two advance to the general election regardless of party. Incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited and not running. Former Vice President Kamala Harris decided not to run, which has left the race wide open among Democrats. Porter's recent polling shows her as a frontrunner among Democrats, though Republican Steve Hilton has significant support as well.