Election 2026 California Governor
From left to right, Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco and Matt Mahan participate in a California gubernatorial debate hosted by CNN at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, Calif. Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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The leading candidates for California governor are trying to stand out from the crowded field as mail voting is underway. They are clashing on everything from a proposed tax on billionaires to state-funded healthcare for immigrants in the country illegally. Debate over the Trump administration's immigration raids is falling largely along party lines with Democrats rebuking them and Republicans saying the federal government must enforce immigration law. Candidates also sparred over the cost of living, taxes and universal health insurance in a two-hourlong debate on CNN. Voters have until June 2 to cast their ballots and decide which two candidates will advance to the general election in November.
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