The California Gubernatorial primary is coming up on June 2, 2026. With current governor, Gavin Newsom, hitting his term limit this year, Californians must pick two candidates in June to be on the official ballot in November in a top-two style primary. The eight candidates include six Democrats and two Republicans –

Katie Porter 

Democrat Katie Porter was elected as an Orange County Rep. during the 2018 blue wave during President Donald Trump’s first term. Porter’s priorities include, affordability, ending homelessness, abolishing ICE, and LGBTQ+ protections. 

Tom Steyer

Steyer is a former Democratic presidential candidate, a billionaire and a climate activist. Steyer’s priorities lie with lowering gas prices, electric bills, abolishing ICE, and a billionaire/corporate tax. 

Matt Mahan

Matt Mahan is a moderate leaning Democrat who is the current mayor of San Jose and a tech entrepreneur. Mahan served as a member of the San Jose City Council from 2021 til he was elected as mayor in 2023. Mahan’s priorities are to end homelessness, strengthen public safety and create affordable housing for Californians.

Xavier Becerra

Democrat Xavier Becerra is the former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary for the Biden Administration. Becerra also served as a California representative from 1993 to 2017 and as the 33rd attorney general for California from 2017 to 2021. Becerra’s priorities include affordable housing, affordable healthcare, clean energy, and lowering overall costs. 

Antonio Villaraigosa

Former Los Angeles mayor and former Assembly Speaker, Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa has 30 years of political experience under his belt. Villaraigosa’s current priorities include affordability, an ICE accountability plan, consumer protection, and overall infrastructure.  

Tony Thurmond

Democrat Tony Thurmond is the current State Superintendent of Public Instruction of California. Previously, Thurmond served in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2018. Thurmond’s main priorities are raising wages, creating affordable housing by 2030, a billionaire’s tax, and abolishing ICE.  

Steve Hilton

Former Fox News commentator, Republican Steve Hilton also served as the director of strategy to the then British Prime Minister David Cameron from 2010 to 2012. Hilton’s current priorities are, making California an A.I. forward state, lowering insurance costs, and affordable public education.  

Chad Bianco

Chad Bianco is running on a Republican ticket and is currently serving as the Riverside County sheriff. Bianco wants to secure California borders, create tax-cuts for California working families and businesses, and defend California farmers. 

While polls are ever changing, with Becerra currently leading in polls by three points, the race for governor is still wide open. The Campus Journal commits to keeping COS students informed about your gubernatorial candidates during this election cycle. Next on the election agenda: how to vote!