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Overview of the California Govenor Race

  • Leann Vergara and Gianna Marie Montesclaros
  • 8 hours ago
  • 4 min read

  1. Xavier Becerra

    1. Background/Qualifications (including Past Government Work if applicable): Received Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor (law degree) from Stanford University. Former Congress member, Former California Attorney General, and Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary.

    2. Party: Democrat.

    3. Priorities: Affordable Healthcare, Protecting California from Trump’s Policies, Affordable Housing, Stabilizing Insurance Rates, Clean Energy and More Energy Investments.

    4. Public Opinion: Shot up from 4% to 19% in polls following Eric Swalwell’s departure due to asexual harassment and assault allegations. This is the highest percentage of support from all the Democrat candidates and is seen as a phenomenal comeback. Critics claim that he is very partisan, labeling him as “ringleader of the far-left’s resistance movement”.

    5. Age: 68 years old.

    6. Website: https://www.xavierbecerra2026.com/ 


  2. Chad Bianco 

    1. Background/Qualifications (including Past Government Work if applicable): Graduated top of his class at San Bernardino’s Sheriff Academy, Riverside County Sheriff since 2019.

    2. Party: Republican.

    3. Priorities: Reducing Homelessness by Expanding Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers, Prioritizing Safety through Law and Order, Economic Prosperity, Balance and Transparency within the Justice System.

    4. Public Opinion: Polls show that Bianco is leading as one of the top Republican contenders, holding around 13% of the primary vote. However, many critics claim that Bianco hasn’t thrived in his job, with a rise in violent crime within his patrolled areas, while also clearing only an average of 9.2% of reported crimes. This is less than half the state average. 

    5. Age: 59 years old.

    6. Website: https://biancoforgovernor.com/ 


  3. Steve Hilton

    1. Background/Qualifications (including Past Government Work if applicable): Studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at New College in Oxford. Fox News contributor and former adviser to conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron.

    2. Party: Republican.

    3. Priorities: Keeping California the AI Capital Globally, Affordable Taxes, Affordable House Construction, Insurance Stability, Family-Focused Environment and Expanding State Prenatal Care, Public College Affordability.

    4. Public Opinion: Due to a largely split Democratic voting electorate, Republican Steve Hilton, alongside Bianco, has been given an opening. Hilton follows right behind Becerra with 23% of likely voters. However, due to Trump’s endorsement of him, other candidates, such as Xavier Becerra, have thrown shots at him about it.

    5. Age: 56 years old.

    6. Website: https://stevehiltonforgovernor.com/ 


  4. Matt Mahan

    1. Background/Qualifications (including Past Government Work if applicable): Graduated magna cum laude (an honor level) from Harvard University. Co-founder and CEO of tech company Brigade Media. Mayor of San Jose since 2023.

    2. Party: Democrat.

    3. Priorities: Affordable Housing and Faster Construction, Standing Against ICE and Protecting Immigrant Communities, Supporting Prop 36 (allows felony charges for certain drug possession while allowing judges to mandate treatment), Suspending State Gas Taxes, Protecting Hollywood Jobs, Increasing Spending Accountability within Government.

    4. Public Opinion: As he fights within the crowded governor's race, Mahan has climbed to the top 3 of Democratic candidates. 6% of poll votes, since the April 30 polls. However, many people believe that he should not run as he only has experience within local politics, claiming that it may be too heavy.

    5. Age: 43 years old.

    6. Website: https://www.mahanforcalifornia.com/ 


  5. Katie Porter

    1. Background/Qualifications (including Past Government Work if applicable): Graduated from Yale and Harvard Law School, and taught law in UC Irvine, William S. Boyd School of Law, and the University of Iowa. Former U.S. representative of Orange County.

    2. Party: Democrat

    3. Priorities: Lowering Housing Cost, Abolishing ICE, Protecting Healthcare from Trump’s Policies, Ending Homelessness, Free Child Care, Fighting Income Inequality, Tuition-Free Colleges, Environmental Protections, LGBTQ+ Protections, and Standing with Workers.

    4. Public Opinion: With a political rise nearing the end of 2025, Porter has dropped to 5th place with 9% in polls, trailing after Bianco. 

    5. Age: 52 years old.

    6. Website: https://katieporter.com/ 


  6. Tom Steyer

    1. Background/Qualifications (including Past Government Work if applicable): Billionaire Entrepreneur, investor, and environmental activist. Founder of Farallon Capital Management and NextGen America, a political organization focused on climate action and youth voter engagement. Former Democratic candidate for President of the United States in 2020

    2. Party: Democrat

    3. Priorities: Affordable Housing, Increase in Taxes for Billionaires and Corporations, Preserving California’s Film and Entertainment Businesses Alive, Lower Electric Bills, Lower Gas Prices, Free Education for Students Pre-K to College, Abolishing ICE, Helping the Environment, Health Care Benefits, AI Benefits for Californians.

    4. Public Opinion: Steyer is considered a strong contender, polling around 15% and placing near the top of the field behind Republican Steve Hilton. His support has risen significantly due to heavy self-funding and increased visibility, but the race remains highly competitive with no clear frontrunner and a large portion of voters still undecided.

    5. Age: 68 years old

    6. Website: www.tomsteyer.com 


  7. Tony Thurmond

    1. Background/Qualifications (including Past Government Work if applicable): State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019. Former California State Assemblymember, Richmond City Council member, and school board member. Also worked as a social worker and education advocate, focusing on youth and underserved communities.

    2. Party: Democrat

    3. Priorities: Improving and Funding Public Education, Supporting Working Families, Addressing Income Inequality, Expanding Opportunities for Students, Investing in Programs to Help Communities Overcome Poverty and Economic Challenges.

    4. Public Opinion: Thurmond is viewed as a candidate strongly centered on education policy, particularly increasing funding for public schools. While he is respected for his background in education and public service, he is not currently among the top-polling candidates, and his campaign is considered part of a crowded Democratic field with no clear frontrunner.

    5. Age: 57 years old

    6. Website: www.tonythurmond.com 


  8. Antonio Villaraigosa

    1. Background/Qualifications (including Past Government Work if applicable): Former Mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013 and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. Also served as Majority Leader and Los Angeles City Council member, with a long career in California politics.

    2. Party: Democrat

    3. Priorities: Protecting Consumers and Financial Technology, Affordable Energy, Lowering the Cost of Living, Addressing the Housing and Homelessness Crises, Improving Economic Opportunity for Working Families, Tackling Climate Change, Reforming Costly Regulations, Improving Public Safety, Strengthening Education

    4. Public Opinion: Villaraigosa is viewed as an experienced and pragmatic candidate in the 2026 California governor’s race. While he has strong recognition from his time as Los Angeles mayor, he is competing in a crowded field where multiple candidates are still striving for voter support, and no clear frontrunner has emerged.

    5. Age: 73 years old

    6. Website: www.antonio2026.com/ 

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