Xavier Becerra (D) and Steve Hilton (R) advanced from the top-two primary for governor of California on June 2, 2026. Of the 61 candidates who ran in the election, Becerra, Matt Mahan (D), Katie Porter (D), Tom Steyer (D), Antonio Villaraigosa (D), Chad Bianco (R), and Hilton led in polling and media attention. Incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) was term-limited.
Eric Swalwell (D) filed to run in the top-two primary. He suspended his campaign on April 12, 2026, after the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported on allegations of sexual misconduct. To read our coverage of these events, click here.
There were 24 Democratic candidates, 12 Republican candidates, one Libertarian candidate, one Peace and Freedom candidate, and 23 no party preference candidates on the ballot. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliations.
According to the Associated Press' Sophie Austin, Democratic Party leaders were initially concerned that the large number of Democrats would split the Democratic vote and allow two Republicans to advance to the general election. However, the odds of that happening decreased when one of the noteworthy Democratic candidates — Swalwell — withdrew from the race and President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Hilton.
Ahead of the primary election, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks wrote in an open letter to candidates that "Despite the ongoing chatter, the likelihood of two Republicans effectively 'locking out' California Democrats from the contest for Governor in the General Election is relatively low. However, while it is implausible, it is not impossible and I know we are collectively committed to taking the steps required to avoid that possibility."
Below is a background on each candidate. To read more about how Ballotpedia defines noteworthy candidates, click here.
- Becerra served as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021 to 2025. He previously served as attorney general of California from 2017 to 2021, and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2017.Becerra's priorities included addressing affordability, housing, and healthcare.
- Hilton was, at the time of the primary election, a Fox News Channel contributor who hosted The Next Revolution on the network from 2017 to 2023. He previously worked as a senior advisor to former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and an advertising executive. Hilton's priorities included addressing housing, affordability, and education.
- Mahan was first elected mayor of San Jose in 2022 . He previously served on the San Jose City Council from 2021 to 2023. In 2014, Mahan founded Brigade, which, according to his campaign website, was "the world's first voter network." Mahan's priorities included addressing affordability, homelessness, and education.
- Porter served in the U.S. House from 2019 to 2025. She previously worked as a law professor and a consumer and bankruptcy attorney. Porter's priorities included addressing affordability, housing, and healthcare.
- Steyer founded the hedge fund Farallon Capital Management in 1986 and managed it until 2012. In 2013, Steyer founded NextGen America , which, according to its official website, seeks to "educate and empower young people to organize, vote, and lead." Steyer also ran in the 2020 presidential election before suspending his campaign on Feb. 29, 2020. Steyer's priorities included addressing affordability, education, and housing.
- Swalwell served in the U.S. House from 2012 to 2026. He previously served on the Dublin City Council from 2010 to 2013 and worked as a prosecutor and deputy district attorney in Alameda County . Swalwell's priorities included addressing affordability, housing, and "protect[ing] Californians from federal overreach."
- Villaraigosa served as mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013. He previously served on the Los Angeles City Council from 2003 to 2005 and in the California Assembly from 1994 to 2000. From 1998 to 2000, Villaraigosa served as speaker of the Assembly. Villaraigosa's priorities included addressing affordability, public safety, and education.
- Bianco was elected Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator of Riverside County in 2018 . He had worked at the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for 26 years before assuming office as sheriff-coroner-public administrator. Bianco's priorities included addressing affordability, housing, and public safety.
As of June 9, 2026, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the general election as Solid Democratic. Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it as Safe Democratic.
