Billionaires, Big Oil and other interests are spending big to influence the California governor’s race, making for the most expensive primary campaign in state history.
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
California governor front-runner Xavier Becerra’s playbook: Never say you’re sorry
Democratic front-runner for California governor Xavier Becerra has dodged weeks of criticism about his record. His dismissals reflect a confident position near the top of the polls.
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Governor YIMBY: In California’s unsettled race, most candidates see eye-to-eye on housing
On zoning, permitting, fees and NIMBY obstruction, the top candidates vying to become California’s next governor all say the state needs to make it easier to build more homes.
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Panicked California Democrats are pushing a risky strategy: Wait till the last minute to vote
Recent polling suggests it’s unlikely that two Republicans would lock Democrats out of the November gubernatorial election. But some liberal activists are still panicking about the possibility of a MAGA governor. Their solution could delay California’s already slow ballot-counting.
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For the lone woman left in the California governor’s race, it’s all about ‘temperament’
Onetime progressive darling Katie Porter’s campaign for California governor stalled over viral videos that critics say showed temperament issues. Seven months later, they’re still her biggest liability.
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California governor candidates clash on taxes, Trump and healthcare in lively debate
The leading candidates for California governor clashed in a lively debate Tuesday on everything from a proposed tax on billionaires to state-funded healthcare for immigrants in the country illegally.
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Billionaire blitz: Steyer’s $132 million campaign dwarfs rivals in California governor race
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan dominated fellow Democrats in fundraising, bringing in $13 million, the most recent campaign finance disclosures show. Katie Porter raised $2.8 million, Xavier Becerra brought in $1 million, Antonio Villaraigosa raised $707,000 and Tony Thurmond raised just $62,000.
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California’s woes at the center of debate among leading candidates for governor
A televised debate among six leading candidates for California governor Wednesday underscored sharp partisan divides on issues from homelessness to taxes, while the Democrats sought to distinguish themselves from each other in a chaotic race with no clear leader.
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Lagging in polls and fundraising, Betty Yee drops out of California governor’s race
Progressive former state controller Betty Yee said Monday that she is dropping out of the race to succeed Gavin Newsom amid faltering polling and poor fundraising.
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California Democrats can’t decide on a governor. Don’t count on Newsom or Pelosi for help
Even after Rep. Eric Swalwell’s swift and sudden exit, the race for California governor is still frustratingly murky on the Democratic side, with seven major candidates splitting the vote. As party faithful hope for divine intervention, heavyweights such as the current governor and the speaker emerita refuse to weigh in.
