The race to replace Gavin Newsom is honestly turning into a bit of a circus. If you live in California, you've probably already seen the ads or heard the whispers: everyone and their cousin seems to be eyeing that seat in Sacramento. But with the primary coming up in June, the question of who is running for governor California is getting a lot harder to answer simply because the list is growing by the week.
Right now, we are looking at a "Democratic free-for-all" mixed with a couple of high-profile Republicans who think they finally have a shot. Since Newsom is termed out, there is no incumbent to hide behind. This has opened the floodgates.
The Big Names: Who is Running for Governor California?
Currently, the field is dominated by Democrats who have held statewide office or major congressional seats. It's a mix of "old guard" politicians and some newer faces who are banking on their specific niches to carry them through.
The Democratic Heavyweights
- Xavier Becerra: You probably know him as the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary under Biden. Before that, he was our Attorney General. He’s leaning hard into healthcare costs, but he’s also dealing with some blowback from his time in D.C.
- Katie Porter: The "Whiteboard Queen" herself. After her Senate run didn't pan out, she’s back. She has a massive national fundraising base and a reputation for grilling CEOs, which plays well with the progressive crowd.
- Antonio Villaraigosa: The former Mayor of Los Angeles is trying again. He’s positioning himself as the "moderate" choice, focusing on public safety and his record running the state's biggest city. He actually just hit a milestone of $6.1 million in direct donations, which is no joke.
- Eric Swalwell: The Bay Area Congressman jumped in late 2025. He’s got that high-energy, anti-Trump brand that usually does well in deep-blue California.
- Betty Yee: Former State Controller. She’s all about the "grit" and knows the state's checkbook better than anyone. She wants to be California's first female governor.
- Tony Thurmond: Our current State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He’s the only one in the race right now who currently holds a statewide office. He’s pushing an ambitious housing plan—we're talking 2 million units on state land.
The Billionaires and Outsiders
- Tom Steyer: The climate activist and billionaire is back on the scene. He’s already spending heavily on TV ads.
- Rick Caruso: He hasn't technically declared yet, but he’s polling high. If the LA developer jumps in, his personal wealth could flip the race upside down.
- Ian Calderon: Former Assembly Majority Leader. He’s representing the millennials and has some interesting ties to the tech and crypto world.
The Republican Contenders
- Chad Bianco: The Riverside County Sheriff. He’s the "law and order" guy, often seen in a cowboy hat, and he’s currently leading some of the early polls. Why? Because the Republican vote is less split than the Democratic one.
- Steve Hilton: A former advisor to UK PM David Cameron and a Fox News contributor. He’s trying to bring a different brand of conservatism to the state.
Why the Math is a "Democratic Nightmare"
California uses a "top-two" primary system. Basically, everyone runs on one big ballot, and the top two finishers—regardless of their party—go to the general election in November.
Normally, this helps Democrats because there are so many of them in the state. But this time, there are too many.
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Imagine 10 high-profile Democrats all getting 8% or 9% of the vote. If two Republicans, like Bianco and Hilton, manage to consolidate the GOP base and get 15% each, we could end up with an all-Republican general election in one of the bluest states in the country. It sounds crazy, but the math actually checks out.
Honestly, the "None of the Above" option is currently beating almost every Democrat in recent polls. People are frustrated. They’re looking at the cost of gas, the price of groceries, and the housing crisis and wondering if the current crop of leaders has any real answers.
The Issues Moving the Needle
If you're trying to figure out who to support, don't just look at the names. Look at what they are talking about (or avoiding).
- Affordability: This is the big one. Betty Yee and Xavier Becerra talk about it constantly. Whether it's the "California Dream" slipping away or just the price of a head of lettuce, voters are feeling the squeeze.
- Public Safety: This is where Antonio Villaraigosa and Chad Bianco are finding their footing. There's a growing sentiment, even in liberal cities, that we need more law enforcement presence.
- Housing: Tony Thurmond’s "2 million units" goal is the most specific plan we’ve seen, but every candidate is being forced to address why it’s so expensive to live here.
- Climate: Tom Steyer's bread and butter. California is always at the forefront of green tech, but voters are starting to ask if those mandates are driving up their utility bills.
What Happens Next?
The field is going to start thinning out soon. We expect a "clearing of the decks" around February or March. Candidates who can't raise enough money or are stuck at 2% in the polls will likely drop out and endorse someone else. For example, Stephen Cloobeck already dropped out and threw his support behind Eric Swalwell.
Even the Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, who was the first to jump in years ago, recently dropped out to run for State Treasurer instead. That alone shows you how brutal this race is becoming.
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Actionable Next Steps for Voters
If you want to stay on top of who is running for governor California, don't just wait for the mailers to arrive. Here is what you should do:
- Check the Secretary of State Website: Official filing deadlines are approaching. This is where you’ll find the final, certified list of names that will actually be on your ballot.
- Follow the Money: Look at the "Cal-Access" portal. See who is funding these campaigns. Is it small-dollar donors or massive corporate PACs?
- Compare Housing Plans: Since housing is the #1 issue for most Californians, go to the candidates' websites and read their specific proposals. There is a huge difference between "incentivizing developers" and "building on state land."
- Register to Vote: If you’ve moved recently, make sure your registration is current. The June primary will likely be the most important election in California this decade.
The race is wide open, and for the first time in a long time, the outcome feels genuinely unpredictable. Whether we end up with a seasoned veteran like Villaraigosa or a total outsider like Steyer or Bianco depends entirely on how that massive "undecided" block of voters breaks in the coming months.