California Gubernatorial Candidates to Debate
Seven candidates in California's gubernatorial primary race are scheduled to debate on Tuesday evening. The event will see the crowded field address key state issues four months ahead of the primary election.
- The nonpartisan primary is scheduled for June 2, 2026, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election, regardless of their party affiliation. - Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and cannot run for a third term. - The race is highly fractured with no clear frontrunner; a December 2025 poll found Republican Chad Bianco at 13%, Republican Steve Hilton at 12%, Democrat Eric Swalwell at 12%, and Democrat Katie Porter at 11%, with 31% of voters undecided. - Key Democratic candidates in the crowded field include former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Representative Katie Porter, billionaire Tom Steyer, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. - Major issues shaping the campaign include housing affordability, homelessness, the economy, and crime. - One of the more recent entrants is San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a moderate Democrat who has publicly criticized Governor Newsom's approaches to public safety and homelessness. - Specific policy proposals from candidates include State Superintendent Tony Thurmond's plan to build two million housing units and Tom Steyer's pledge to cut electricity bills by 25%. - Due to the large number of Democratic candidates splitting the vote, some commentators have noted a possibility of two Republican candidates advancing from the top-two primary.
