Election 2026 California Governor

Two Democrats and a Republican are leading in early returns in California’s crowded primary in the race to replace Gov. Gavin newsom. They are Democrats Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and U.S. health secretary, and Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist; and Republican conservative commentator Steve Hilton. All have sought to convince voters that they are best prepared to lead the most populous state and one of the world’s largest economies. The campaign has tested voters’ appetites for an experienced politician or candidates promising change. A main theme was lowering the cost of living in the state.

Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election for California governor after pitching himself as an experienced choice to lead the nation’s most populous state. Becerra leaned on his more than 35 years in public office, including as state attorney general and U.S. health secretary. He argued that he was the most qualified candidate in a crowded field. Becerra was once an afterthought in the race but surged in the final months. He has vowed to maintain the state’s mantle as a chief antagonist to President Donald Trump. As attorney general Becerra filed more than 120 legal actions against the first Trump administration on everything from immigration to climate policy.