Candidates for California Secretary of State
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
Shirley N. Weber Dem Age 77 Incumbent Heavy Favorite
Background
Daughter of Arkansas sharecroppers who fled the Jim Crow South after a lynch mob threatened her father's life. Family moved to Los Angeles when she was young. Earned Ph.D. and founded the Africana Studies Department at San Diego State University, where she taught for 40 years. Served on San Diego Board of Education (1988–1996) and in the California Assembly (2012–2020), where she chaired the Legislative Black Caucus. Authored landmark legislation: codified voting rights for formerly incarcerated people, created the CA Reparations Task Force, restricted police use of deadly force, and made ethnic studies mandatory for CSU students. Appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Newsom in December 2020; elected to a full term in 2022 with 60% of the vote. First Black person to hold the office in CA history.[2]
Top Issues / Platform
- Voter access: Expand outreach to rural areas, high school and college campuses
- Election security: Enhance cybersecurity, defend against federal overreach
- Transparency: Improve campaign finance disclosure systems
- Defend democracy: Push back against Trump admin attempts to obtain CA voter data[3]
- Accuracy over speed in ballot counting
- Expand genealogical capacity of state archives
Key Endorsements
- California Democratic Party
- Attorney General Rob Bonta
- State Treasurer Fiona Ma
- SEIU California
- California Federation of Teachers
- California Teachers Association
- California State Retirees[2]
Strengths ▲
- Incumbent with high name ID and proven electoral record (60% in 2022)
- California's strong Democratic lean makes her a heavy favorite — no Republican has won statewide since 2006
- $1M cash on hand vs. Wagner's $120K[2]
- Strong reputation as a principled defender of voting rights
- Successfully fended off Trump DOJ lawsuit seeking CA voter data
Weaknesses ▼
- Criticized by disability advocates over inability to return ballots electronically (sued in 2024, Weber prevailed)[3]
- Slow ballot-counting process (takes up to 30 days to certify) draws bipartisan criticism
- Republicans question her contract awards to firms with Democratic ties
Donald P. (Don) Wagner Rep Age 65 Top Challenger
Background
Longtime Orange County attorney. Founded the county's Federalist Society chapter. Political career began on South Orange County Community College District Board (1998–2010). Elected to CA Assembly in 2010, served until termed out. After losing a special election for state Senate, won election as Irvine mayor (2016), reelected (2018). Won special election for OC Board of Supervisors (2019), reelected 2020 and 2024.[2]
Top Issues / Platform
- Election integrity: Require voter ID at the polls (supports ballot initiative on Nov ballot)
- Slow counting: Criticizes 30-day certification period; wants faster results
- Mail ballots: Would end universal mail-in voting; says bloated rolls enable interference
- Campaign finance: Overhaul Cal-Access disclosure system
- Wants to use office as "bully pulpit" to challenge Dem supermajority[3]
Key Endorsements
- California Republican Party
- Former Gov. Pete Wilson (campaign chair)
- Former Sec. of State Bruce McPherson (campaign chair)
- Former Sec. of State Bill Jones (campaign chair)
- State Sen. Tony Strickland
- Rep. Ken Calvert
- Reform California
- California Republican Assembly[2]
Strengths ▲
- Only Republican making a serious effort; GOP voters may consolidate behind him
- Voter ID ballot initiative on November ballot could boost turnout among conservatives
- Strong credentials in election law (Federalist Society founder, attorney)
- Picks up name ID from two ex-secretaries of state as campaign chairs
Weaknesses ▼
Michael Feinstein Green Age 67 Long Shot
Background
Former Santa Monica City Councilmember and Mayor. Ran for Secretary of State previously in 2018. Electoral reform consultant by profession. Active in Green Party politics for decades. Previous role as a Santa Monica planning commissioner.[4]
Top Issues / Platform
- Warns Trump administration is "biggest threat" to CA election integrity
- Combat disinformation/misinformation operations
- Ranked choice voting
- Public financing of campaigns
- Expand state Assembly for better representation[5]
Key Endorsements
- Green Party of California
- No major elected official endorsements
Strengths ▲
- Previous elected experience (Santa Monica city council, mayor)
- Previous statewide run gives some familiarity with the process
Weaknesses ▼
- No active fundraising; zero campaign infrastructure
- Green Party has very limited voter base in CA
- Low name ID; hasn't broken through media coverage
Gary N. Blenner Green Age 60 Long Shot
Background
Teacher by profession. Former trustee of the Center Joint Unified School District's school board in Sacramento County. Very limited public campaign presence.[5]
Top Issues / Platform
- Public financing of campaigns
- Expand state Assembly
- Ranked choice voting[5]
Key Endorsements
- None identified
Strengths ▲
- School board experience gives some governance background
Weaknesses ▼
- No active fundraising; zero campaign infrastructure
- Did not participate in major candidate questionnaires
- Negligible name ID; no campaign website with substantive platform
Race Summary & Outlook
This is the least competitive of the three statewide races. Incumbent Shirley Weber (D) is strongly favored to win both the primary and general election. Key dynamics:
- Weber is the only Democrat in the field and has $1M cash on hand
- Don Wagner (R) is the only serious challenger but acknowledges even he'd be shocked by a GOP win — no Republican has won a statewide race in CA since 2006[3]
- The two Green Party candidates (Feinstein, Blenner) have no fundraising and negligible campaign infrastructure
- Weber and Wagner will almost certainly be the top-two finishers and advance to November, where Weber is the heavy favorite
The primary debate centers on voter ID (Wagner supports requiring it; Weber opposes) and ballot-counting speed (Wagner wants faster certification; Weber prioritizes accuracy). A GOP-backed voter ID ballot initiative has qualified for the November ballot, potentially boosting conservative turnout.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026