Democratic Candidates for California Lieutenant Governor
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
Office: Lieutenant Governor of California — second-highest executive office. Serves as President of the State Senate (tie-breaking vote), sits on UC Regents, CSU Trustees, Community College Board, State Lands Commission, Coastal Commission, and Commission for Economic Development. Next in line for Governor. Incumbent Eleni Kounalakis (D) is term-limited and running for Treasurer. California uses a top-two primary: the two highest vote-getters on June 2 advance to the November 3 general election regardless of party.[1]
Fiona Ma Dem Age 60 Frontrunner
State Treasurer / CPA • San Francisco
Daughter of Chinese immigrants. First woman CPA elected to statewide office. Served as San Francisco Supervisor (2002–2006), State Assembly (2006–2012, Speaker Pro Tem), Board of Equalization (2014–2018), and State Treasurer since 2019. Oversees $160B+ investment portfolio and $3.7T in annual transactions. Never lost a general election.[2]
Top Issues / Platform
- Freeze college tuition; expand student housing on campus
- Build more affordable housing; used tax credits to fund 28,850 homes in 2025–26
- Protect coastlines, expand clean energy, socially responsible investing
- Abolish Board of Equalization; governor/lieutenant governor joint-ticket reform[3]
- Supports death penalty for cop-killers & heinous crimes
- Opposes 2035 gas-car ban; supports Billionaire Tax Act[2]
Key Endorsements
- Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis
- Sec. of State Shirley Weber
- State Controller Malia Cohen[4]
- 75% of State Legislature (600+ elected officials)
- CA Professional Firefighters, CA Federation of Teachers, NUHW, Building Trades, Carpenters, CA Farm Bureau, Equality California
- CA Labor Federation, 50+ labor unions
- Mercury News / East Bay Times editorial board[5]
Strengths ▲
- Largest name ID & fundraising in the race (~$4.5M cash on hand)[6]
- Decades of elected experience at every level of CA government
- Strong institutional backing from Democratic establishment; won 49% of party convention delegates[7]
- Proven ability to win statewide (never lost a general election)
Weaknesses ▼
- 2021 sexual harassment lawsuit by former staffer (denied; state paid $350K settlement in 2024)[7]
- More moderate positions (gas-car ban, death penalty) may alienate progressive base
- Deep establishment ties — framed as "career politician" by rivals
- Has not faced independent polling in this race
Josh Fryday Dem Age 45 Top Contender
Chief Service Officer (Newsom Cabinet) • Novato
Novato native, attended CA public schools K–JD (UC Berkeley undergrad & law). U.S. Navy JAG officer — coordinated disaster relief after 2011 Japan tsunami, represented detainees at Guantánamo Bay, testified before Congress. Novato City Council (2015) and Mayor. Appointed by Newsom in 2019 as CA's Chief Service Officer. Built California Volunteers into the nation's largest service corps (10,000+ paid positions, larger than Peace Corps). Married to a public school teacher, three kids in public schools. Pell Grant recipient.[8]
Top Issues / Platform
- Universal service option — "GI Bill for California" with debt-free college pathways
- Build 1M homes on underutilized public lots; speed up clean energy & housing permitting
- Increase teacher pay; strengthen public education
- Double clean energy production; stop offshore oil drilling
- Protect democracy from Trump administration overreach[9]
Key Endorsements
- Gov. Gavin Newsom[7]
- Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
- Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
- Rep. Jared Huffman, former Controller Betty Yee
- California Teachers Association (CTA)
- California Federation of Teachers (CFT)[10]
- California School Employees Association
- CA EnviroVoters, VoteVets
- Sacramento Bee editorial board[11]
Strengths ▲
- Gov. Newsom's endorsement is a powerful signal to Democratic voters
- Unified labor backing from both major teachers unions (CTA + CFT, 430K members)
- Compelling personal story: 17 moves as child, Pell Grant, Navy service, Guantánamo courage
- Only veteran in the race; strong climate/environment credentials
- $1.9M cash on hand as of Jan 2026[7]
Weaknesses ▼
- Never held elected office above small-city mayor; untested in statewide campaign
- Less name ID than Ma or Tubbs with general election voters
- Tied closely to Newsom administration — a liability if voters want change
- Lower convention delegate support (21% vs Ma's 49%)
Michael Tubbs Dem Age 35 Top Contender
Former Stockton Mayor / Newsom Advisor • Stockton
Born to a teenage mother in South Stockton; father incarcerated his whole life. Earned scholarship to Stanford. Elected to Stockton City Council at 21, became youngest mayor of a major U.S. city at 26 (2016). Piloted the nation's first major Universal Basic Income program (SEED). Reduced homicides 40%, cut unemployment from 15% to 5.7%. Lost 2020 reelection amid unfounded corruption allegations on social media. Founded End Poverty in CA (EPIC) and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. Appointed Special Advisor to Gov. Newsom for Economic Mobility (2021).[12]
Top Issues / Platform
- Freeze tuition — "will not vote to raise tuition, period"
- Build affordable housing on UC/CSU/CCC land via State Lands Commission
- Universal Basic Income state-wide expansion
- Connect CalFresh to financial aid to combat student food insecurity
- Offshore wind development; oppose new oil drilling
- Cut "administrative bloat" in higher ed[13]
Key Endorsements
- Former U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler
- Reps. Ro Khanna, Robert Garcia, Sam Liccardo, Lateefah Simon[14]
- Mayors Karen Bass (LA) & Barbara Lee (Oakland)
- SEIU California (750,000 members — largest union in state)[15]
- Dolores Huerta (labor leader)
- SF Chronicle editorial board[16]
- Numerous CA state legislators & county supervisors
Strengths ▲
- Strong national progressive profile from UBI pilot; high name ID among primary voters
- Compelling rags-to-Stanford narrative; strong with younger voters and communities of color
- SEIU endorsement brings organizing muscle of 750K members
- Mayoral experience with demonstrated results (crime reduction, job growth, fiscal turnaround)
Weaknesses ▼
- Lost reelection in Stockton — vulnerability argument
- UBI is polarizing; critics question fiscal feasibility
- Fundraising lags Ma ($725K raised as of early 2025)[14]
- Limited statewide network; strongest base is in Central Valley & progressive circles
Janelle Kellman Dem Age 53 Second Tier
Attorney / Former Sausalito Mayor • Sausalito
Environmental attorney with degrees from Stanford Law and Oxford (MSc Environmental Management). Sausalito Planning Commissioner (4 yrs), City Council (2020), Mayor (2022). Founded Center for Sea Rise Solutions (climate nonprofit). Ultra-marathon athlete (15+ races). Helped produce & distribute plastic face shields during early COVID.[17]
Top Issues / Platform
- Cut electricity bills by 25%
- Reduce home insurance costs (climate risk expertise)
- Free community college (without raising taxes)
- Climate resilience: wildfire, flood, sea-level rise preparedness
- Healthcare, abortion access, trans rights, mental health support
- Workforce development & green economy job training[18]
Key Endorsements
- State Sen. (ret.) Michael Machado
- Assemblymember Damon Connolly
- Assy. (ret.) Jackie Goldberg
- Marin County Supervisors Moulton-Peters, Rodoni, Sackett
- Numerous Bay Area mayors & councilmembers
- LPAC (LGBTQ+ political action committee)[19]
Strengths ▲
- Strong climate/environmental expertise — unique niche in the field
- Tied for 2nd at 16% in internal polling with Ma (behind a Republican at 25%)[20]
- Fresh face / not a career politician; local government experience
- Impressive academic credentials (Stanford Law + Oxford)
Weaknesses ▼
- Very limited name ID outside Bay Area
- Low fundraising; minimal statewide infrastructure
- Less elected experience than top-tier rivals
Oliver Ma Dem Age 29 Long Shot
Civil Rights Attorney • Bakersfield
Grew up in SoCal in an immigrant family. UC Berkeley (2019) and Harvard Law School. ACLU of Southern California Immigrant Rights Legal Fellow. Represented tenants against slumlords, defended immigrant families from ICE raids. Founded Asian Youth Liberty League. Democratic Socialist. Active in Palestine solidarity organizing in Kern County. Builds large following on TikTok (~2M views/week). No prior elected experience.[21]
Top Issues / Platform
- Tuition-free public universities
- Statewide rent control (repeal Costa-Hawkins & Ellis Act)
- Shut down for-profit detention centers; abolish ICE cooperation
- Divest UC/CSU funds from Israel
- Pro-worker: AB 288, CA alternative to NLRB, fair scheduling
- Reform Prop 13 (commercial properties)
- Protect academic freedom, ethnic studies, DEI[22]
Key Endorsements
- California Democratic Socialists of America (CA DSA)[23]
- ACLU of Southern California (employer — personal capacity)
- TikTok following / grassroots online support
Strengths ▲
- Energizes progressive / democratic socialist base
- Strong social media engagement (free media reach)
- Clear ideological contrast in a crowded moderate field
Weaknesses ▼
- No elected experience; very low name ID
- Far-left platform limits general election appeal
- Minimal fundraising & campaign infrastructure
Tim Myers Dem Age 41 Long Shot
Musician / Businessman • Los Angeles
Third-generation Californian from Corona. Founding member of OneRepublic (2002–2007, played on "Apologize" and "Stop and Stare"). Left band to found Palladium Records, representing 60+ artists. Studied political science at Harvard and Penn State. Worked as janitor and barista before music career. Originally ran for Congress (CA-41) before switching to Lt. Gov. race. No elected experience.[24]
Top Issues / Platform
- Strong opposition to Trump administration attacks on CA
- Affordable housing: $25K first-time homebuyer tax credit
- Expand in-state college enrollment; streamline transfers
- Public-private partnerships for student housing
- Career training & trade programs alongside degrees
- Climate advocate[25]
Key Endorsements
- None of major political organizations
- Largely self-funding / personal network
Strengths ▲
- Celebrity name recognition (OneRepublic sold millions of records)
- Business/entrepreneur background; outsider appeal
- Potential self-funding capacity
Weaknesses ▼
- No elected or government experience at any level
- Very low name ID in political context
- Late entry after switching from congressional race
Jeyson Lopez Dem Age 25 Long Shot
Customer Experience Consultant • San Jose
First-generation Mexican American. Born in Los Angeles, raised in East Side San Jose. Attended charter schools, earned B.A. in Political Science from CSU East Bay. Political awakening in 2016 led him to skip tech career for politics. No prior elected office. Campaign focuses on redefining the Lt. Governor role to have more constitutional power.[26]
Top Issues / Platform
- Add constitutional responsibility to Lt. Governor role
- Reintroduce 2-year bachelor's degree legislation
- Eliminate unnecessary GE requirements; expand trade schools
- Strengthen Dept. of Industrial Relations
- Opposes CA mileage tax; supports Billionaire Tax (as temporary)
- Stop funding Ukraine & Israel; prioritize domestic needs[27]
Key Endorsements
- None from major elected officials or organizations
Strengths ▲
- Youngest candidate (Gen Z perspective); resonates with youth
- Latino representation in a diversifying state
- Unique "expand the office" message differentiates him
Weaknesses ▼
- No political experience; bottom fundraising
- Polarizing foreign policy stances (Ukraine/Israel) within Democratic primary
- Very limited campaign infrastructure and name ID
Abdur Rahman Sikder Dem Age 51 Long Shot
Professor, SFSU • San Francisco
Faculty member at San Francisco State University (Computer Science & Information Systems). Holds B.Sc. from University of Waikato (NZ), M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from University of Sydney (Australia), MBA from Lincoln University (Oakland). Previously ran for U.S. House (CA-12) in 2024, lost in primary.[28]
Top Issues / Platform
- Very limited public platform available
- Higher education focus (given professorial background)
Key Endorsements
- None identified
Strengths ▲
- Academic background relevant to higher-ed boards
- Immigrant perspective (NZ, Australia, Bangladesh heritage)
Weaknesses ▼
- $0 fundraising reported; no active campaign visible
- No political endorsements; previously lost House primary
- No website, platform detail, or public events found
Race Summary & Outlook
The Democratic primary features two clear frontrunners and a wide-open battle for the second general election slot:
- Fiona Ma leads in fundraising (~$4.5M), institutional endorsements (75% of legislature, 50+ unions, statewide officials), and party convention support (49%). Her main liability is a settled sexual harassment lawsuit and moderate positions that may not inspire the base.
- Josh Fryday has powerful late momentum from Gov. Newsom's endorsement, unified teacher union backing (CTA+CFT), and a compelling veteran/public-service biography.
- Michael Tubbs has strong progressive credentials, SEIU's 750K-member endorsement, and national name recognition from the Stockton UBI experiment.
- Janelle Kellman, Oliver Ma, Tim Myers, Jeyson Lopez, and Abdur Sikder are longer shots.
Prediction: Fiona Ma and one of Fryday/Tubbs are most likely to emerge from the top-two primary. The general election will likely pit a Democrat against Republican Gloria Romero.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026