California’s 2026 gubernatorial election represents a potential inflection point, writes former Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce CEO Casey Beyer. Not necessarily a partisan realignment, but a structural one: a fractured Democratic field, competitive Republicans and a volatile political environment shaped by economic pressure and federal conflict.
Election 2026: California governor
Coverage from Lookout and content partners of the 2026 race to succeed Gavin Newsom as governor of California.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
How 9 California Democrats could sabotage their party’s race for governor
State Democratic party chair Rusty Hicks warned that the nine Democrats currently in the governor’s race could split the primary vote and send two Republicans to the November ballot.
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Gubernatorial candidates due in Monterey for March debate
Xavier Becerra, Ian Calderon, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Antonio Villaraigosa and Betty Yee are slated to be on hand March 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Monterey for the only gubernatorial debate scheduled for the Central Coast.
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Q&A: Matt Mahan on how growing up in Watsonville shaped run for California governor
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who was raised in Watsonville, says his working-class upbringing in the Pajaro Valley — shaped by immigrant farmworker communities, Catholic schooling and parents who lived paycheck to paycheck — informs his bid for California governor.
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Republican Steve Hilton leads California governor fundraising as large pool of Democrats lags
It takes tens of millions of dollars to run a statewide campaign for governor. Strategists say the many Democratic candidates aren’t raising money quickly enough.
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Tom Steyer vows to cut electricity bills by 25%, but experts say the details fall short
California has the second-highest electricity bills in the nation, and no candidate for governor has homed in as much as climate investor Tom Steyer. But is his promise to cut bills 25% realistic?
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San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a frequent Newsom critic, jumps into California governor’s race
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on Thursday announced he’s joining the crowded race for California governor, casting himself as a moderate Democrat with a track record of tackling some of the state’s most persistent issues including homelessness and crime.
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Building homes is a top priority for California Democrats again this year. Voters could get a say
California Democrats are eager to advance a pair of bond measures to fund affordable housing construction, but lack enthusiasm for tenant rights protections as a controversial rent control measure bites the dust for a second consecutive year.
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Billionaire activist Tom Steyer joins race to succeed Newsom as California governor
Liberal billionaire Tom Steyer raised his profile as a foe to President Donald Trump when he spent $13 million on ads touting Proposition 50. Now, Steyer is jumping into the 2026 California governor’s race.
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California Republicans hate government ‘overreach.’ Most are quiet on Trump’s military in L.A.
California Republicans who agreed to speak with CalMatters endorsed President Donald Trump’s military deployment in Los Angeles as necessary to save the state from its Democratic leadership.