Six leading candidates for California governor are jostling for advantage in a chaotic race with no clear leader. Four Democrats and two Republicans took the stage Wednesday for a televised debate. The race is the first time in a generation that California has a wide-open contest for the heavily Democratic state’s highest office. Mail ballots are scheduled to go to voters early next month in advance of the June 2 primary election. The campaign has just come through an unstable period, with U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell leaving the race and Congress following sexual assault allegations that he denies.
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California's gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer speaks after a debate, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
California's gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco speaks after a debate, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
California's gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan speaks after a debate, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
California's gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton speaks after a debate, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Tom Steyer, center left, and Katie Porter, candidates in California's gubernatorial race, shake hands during a debate Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in San Francisco. (Jason Henry/Pool Photo via AP)
Xavier Becerra, a candidate in California's gubernatorial race, speaks during a debate Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in San Francisco. (Jason Henry/Pool Photo via AP)
Candidates in California's gubernatorial race look on during a debate Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in San Francisco. (Jason Henry/Pool Photo via AP)
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Republican leaders across the U.S. are encouraging chapters of the conservative political group Turning Point USA in all pu…
FILE - Democratic candidate for Governor of Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax answers a question during a debate held in Bristol, Va., on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)