Top Democratic Candidates for California Governor
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
Office: Governor of California — most powerful state executive in the nation, commanding a ~$300B budget. Shapes policy for 39M residents, signs/vetoes legislation, appoints judges and regulators, leads crisis response. Incumbent Gavin Newsom (D) is term-limited. California uses a top-two primary: all candidates regardless of party appear on one ballot; the top two vote-getters advance to November 3. Critical dynamic: Two Republicans (Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco) have led in many polls while 6 Democrats split the liberal vote, raising the possibility of a GOP shutout where no Democrat reaches the general election.[1]
Xavier Becerra Dem Age 68 Frontrunner Surged
Former U.S. HHS Secretary / CA Attorney General • Los Angeles
Son of Mexican immigrants; father was a construction worker, mother a clerical worker. First in family to graduate college (Stanford, BA & JD). 35 years in public service: CA Assembly (1990–92), U.S. House (1993–2017), CA Attorney General (2017–2021), U.S. HHS Secretary (2021–2025). As AG, sued Trump 122 times and won. Helped write and pass the Affordable Care Act. Led the Supreme Court defense that saved the ACA. As HHS Secretary, negotiated first-ever Medicare drug price reductions and oversaw COVID recovery. Would be CA's first Latino governor in 150+ years.[2]
Top Issues / Platform
- Healthcare: Universal single-payer system, strengthen Medi-Cal, lower drug costs
- Fight Trump: Proven record (122 lawsuits won) to protect CA from federal attacks
- Housing: Treat as essential infrastructure, build more affordable units
- Economy: Anti-price-gouging, childcare support, consumer protection
- Clean energy: Public investment, lower bills, climate resilience[3]
Key Endorsements
Strengths ▲
- Greatest breadth of government experience in the field (Congress, statewide office, federal Cabinet)
- Polling surge: From low single digits to 19% (Emerson College, May 2026) — now first place among Dems[6]
- Strong Trump-fighter credentials (122 lawsuits) resonate in primary
- Recently launched 7-figure TV ad buy and growing social media operation
Weaknesses ▼
- Tainted by campaign-fund scandal: longtime chief of staff pleaded guilty to siphoning funds from dormant Becerra account (Becerra denied knowledge, not implicated)[7]
- Criticized for HHS handling of unaccompanied migrant minors surge at border[8]
- Perceived as less dynamic campaigner; "understated" presence
- 48% of his voters say they could still change their mind (high softness)[6]
Tom Steyer Dem Age 68 Frontrunner
Billionaire Environmental Activist • San Francisco
Net worth ~$2.4B. Founded Farallon Capital Management (hedge fund). Left in 2012 to focus on activism. Founded NextGen America, a progressive nonprofit focused on climate, healthcare, and voting. Spent $345M on 2020 presidential campaign (finished 3rd in South Carolina). Has donated $250M+ to Democratic causes. Co-founded Beneficial State Bank. Key roles: helped defeat 2010 Prop 23 (suspending climate law), funded 2016 CA cigarette tax increase, spent $13M on Prop 50 redistricting measure.[9]
Top Issues / Platform
- Affordability: Lower utility bills by breaking up monopolistic power companies
- Housing: Build 1M homes in 4 years
- Single-payer healthcare
- Ban corporate PAC money from CA elections
- Billionaire tax; close corporate tax loopholes
- Free preschool and community college[10]
Key Endorsements
Strengths ▲
- Vast financial advantage: $130M+ in TV/digital ads (75% of all ad spending in the race)[13]
- Strong labor backing: CTA, CFT, CNA, SEIU, CA Labor Fed — near-unified progressive-labor coalition
- Surprisingly strong progressive endorsements (Our Revolution, Courage California) despite being a billionaire
- Consistent 14–17% in polls; steady top-tier presence
Weaknesses ▼
- Billionaire status creates authenticity gap with anti-corporate message
- Past investments in private prisons and fossil fuels (calls them a "mistake")
- Wealthy self-funder with no prior elected office
- 2020 presidential campaign failed despite enormous spending ($345M)
- 52% of his voters say they could change their mind[6]
Katie Porter Dem Age 52 Top-Tier
Former U.S. Representative • Irvine
Former law professor (UC Irvine) and consumer protection attorney. Yale BA, Harvard JD. Worked at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with Elizabeth Warren. Served in U.S. House (2019–2025), flipping a seat held by Republicans for 75 years. Gained national fame for using a whiteboard to grill CEOs and Trump officials. Secured $18B for CA homeowners, forced free COVID tests, passed mental health parity legislation. Ran for U.S. Senate in 2024 (finished 3rd behind Schiff and Garvey). Would be CA's first woman governor.[14]
Top Issues / Platform
- Lower costs: Housing supply, childcare, healthcare, utilities, insurance
- Free college: Tuition-free UC/CSU through corporate tax increases
- Single-payer healthcare
- Abolish ICE; protect immigrant communities
- 100% clean energy output year-round
- No corporate PAC money accepted (avg. donation ~$68)[15]
Key Endorsements
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren[16]
- Reps. Robert Garcia, Dave Min, Derek Tran
- CA Labor Federation
- 11 labor unions (most of any candidate): UAW, Teamsters, ATU, SMART, NUHW, CWA, IBEW, OCEA, UNAC/UHCP[17]
- EMILYs List, Elect Democratic Women
- Sacramento Bee editorial board
- San Francisco Chronicle editorial board
- J Street, PCCC
Strengths ▲
- Highest name ID and favorability among Democratic candidates
- Largest grassroots fundraising operation (100K+ donors, avg $68)
- Most labor union endorsements in the race (11 unions)
- Strong viral moment track record (whiteboard hearings) generates free media
Weaknesses ▼
- Support declined after viral video of hostile interview with CBS reporter[14]
- Lost 2024 Senate primary — some voters see her as a perennial candidate
- Has been leapfrogged by Becerra in recent polling (10% vs his 19%)
- Progressive support fractured — Steyer won CTA, CNA, Our Revolution over Porter
Matt Mahan Dem Age 43 Moderate Lane
San Jose Mayor • San Jose
Raised working-class in Watsonville (mother teacher, father letter carrier). Earned scholarship to Bellarmine, then Harvard (honors, student body president). Taught with Teach for America. Co-founded Causes and Brigade (civic tech startups). Elected to San Jose City Council in 2020, Mayor in 2022 (87% reelection). Made San Jose "safest big city in America." Reduced unsheltered homelessness. Supported Prop 36 (tough-on-crime) over Newsom's opposition.[18]
Top Issues / Platform
- Reduce regulatory burdens to lower cost of living/business
- Temporary suspension of CA gas tax
- Build housing through fee reduction and factory-built construction
- Require homeless to accept shelter when available
- Opposes billionaire wealth tax; freeze taxes pending spending audit
- Accountability dashboards for state spending[19]
Key Endorsements
- Rep. Sam Liccardo (predecessor as SJ mayor)
- Rep. Ami Bera
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis
- Silicon Valley tech leaders (Sergey Brin, Joe Lonsdale, Garry Tan)[20]
- Former San Jose mayors
- LA developer Rick Caruso
Strengths ▲
- Clear lane as the pragmatic, moderate Democrat in a progressive field
- $7M+ raised in first week — major Silicon Valley backing; best-funded after Steyer
- Credible record as San Jose mayor (crime reduction, homeless shelter expansion)
- Late entry with momentum; untapped name-ID growth potential
Weaknesses ▼
- Polling stuck at 5–8%; limited name ID outside Bay Area
- Tech/billionaire backing is a double-edged sword in Democratic primary
- Only 4 years in elected office; least experienced top contender
- Moderate stances (Prop 36, anti-wealth-tax) alienate progressive base
Antonio Villaraigosa Dem Age 73 Experienced Contender
Former L.A. Mayor / State Assembly Speaker • Los Angeles
First Latino Mayor of LA in 130+ years (2005–2013). Former Assembly Speaker (1998–2000). Labor organizer with UTLA and SEIU before elected office. President of ACLU of Southern California. As mayor: cut violent crime 48%, raised graduation rates 60%, led economic recovery from Great Recession. President Obama called him "one of the finest leaders" in America. Ran for governor in 2018 (finished 3rd).[21]
Top Issues / Platform
- Affordability: Housing production, CEQA reform, gas price relief
- Veto any legislation that raises gas prices
- $25B revenue bond for middle-class homeownership
- Community Land Trusts for permanently affordable housing
- Opposes single-payer; focuses on market-based healthcare reforms
- Fully fund police + community crime prevention[22]
Key Endorsements
- Mayor Karen Bass (Los Angeles)[23]
- CA Federation of Labor Unions (AFL-CIO) — 1.2M members
- State Building & Construction Trades Council
- CA Council of Laborers
- LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson
- LA Sentinel (historic Black newspaper)
Strengths ▲
- Only candidate who has served as chief executive of a major government (LA, 4M people)
- Both legislative (Speaker) and executive (Mayor) experience
- Strong ties to labor movement (former organizer) and Latino community
- Coalition-builder across racial lines; 50-year relationships in Black and Brown communities
Weaknesses ▼
- Polling in low single digits (3–5%); never broke through in 2018 either
- Moderate positions don't excite progressive base in primary
- Age 72; last held elected office 13 years ago
- Limited fundraising compared to Steyer/Mahan
Tony Thurmond Dem Age 57 Progressive Long Shot
State Superintendent of Public Instruction • Richmond
Orphaned at age 6, grew up in poverty, Afro-Latino. Earned degrees from Temple University (BS) and Bryn Mawr College (MSW, MS in Law & Policy). Social worker and educator. Richmond City Council (2005–2008), West Contra Costa School Board (2008–2012), CA Assembly (2014–2018). Elected State Superintendent in 2018; re-elected 2022 landslide. First Afro-Latino to hold the office. Key achievements: universal free preschool for 4-year-olds, universal school meals, $6B for broadband, $4B for mental health programs.[24]
Top Issues / Platform
- Universal single-payer healthcare
- Billionaire wealth tax to fund education & social services
- Free preschool and childcare for all
- Build housing on publicly-owned land
- Raise minimum wage; expand union rights
- 3rd grade reading proficiency guarantee
- Abolish ICE[25]
Key Endorsements
- National Association of Social Workers — CA
- Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) PAC
- Several local educators and school board members
- Limited institutional endorsements from major statewide groups[26]
Strengths ▲
- Only candidate currently holding statewide office
- Most progressive platform in the race (single-payer, wealth tax, free college)
- Compelling life story: orphaned, grew up in poverty, overcame adversity
- Would be CA's first Black governor
Weaknesses ▼
- Stuck at 1–3% in polls; has not broken through despite 2.5-year campaign
- Facing pressure to drop out to prevent GOP shutout of Democrats
- Limited fundraising; no significant TV ad presence
- Progressive lane crowded by Steyer and Porter
Race Summary & Outlook
Critical context: Two Republicans (Steve Hilton 17–22%, Chad Bianco 14–17%) have led most polls. Six Democrats are splitting the liberal vote, creating a real risk that no Democrat reaches the general election.[1]
The late-surge candidate is Xavier Becerra, who jumped from low single digits to 19% (Emerson College, May 2026) after Eric Swalwell dropped out amid sexual misconduct allegations. Becerra now leads the Democratic field for the first time, powered by Assembly Speaker Rivas's endorsement, a 7-figure ad buy, and the strongest government resume in the race.[6]
Tom Steyer (14–17%) has spent $130M+ on advertising and consolidated endorsements from CTA, CNA, SEIU, CA Labor Fed, and the Sierra Club — a near-unified labor-progressive coalition. His wealth is both his biggest asset and his biggest vulnerability.
Katie Porter (10%), once the Democratic frontrunner, has slipped after an awkward interview went viral and progressive groups chose Steyer over her. She still has the highest name ID, 11 labor endorsements, and Elizabeth Warren's backing.
Matt Mahan (5–8%) raised $7M+ in his first week from Silicon Valley. Antonio Villaraigosa (3–5%) and Tony Thurmond (1–3%) have not gained traction.
Most likely outcome: The two general-election slots go to Republican Steve Hilton and one Democrat (Becerra or Steyer). A Democratic shutout (two Republicans advancing) remains a real but declining possibility.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026