Who Is Running for California Governor in 2026
Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, and Steve Hilton, a Republican, are the two candidates for California governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot. They finished first and second among 60 candidates in the June 2 primary (Secretary of State).
Xavier Becerra is a former California attorney general and former U.S. secretary of health and human services. Steve Hilton is a British American former Fox News host who worked for Britain’s Conservative Party before moving to Silicon Valley in 2012 (CalMatters).
Key facts
- Election Day is November 3, 2026; the winner takes office January 4, 2027.
- Xavier Becerra won 28% of the June primary vote and Steve Hilton 24.6% (Secretary of State).
- Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans about 1.8 to 1 (Statement of Vote).
- Newsom is barred from a third term by Article V, Section 2 of the state constitution.
June Primary Results for California Governor
Xavier Becerra led the June 2 primary with 2,591,857 votes, 3.4 points ahead of Steve Hilton. Tom Steyer, a Democrat, finished third, 1.8 points behind Steve Hilton. Steyer spent about $215 million of his own money, conceded and endorsed Xavier Becerra, according to CalMatters.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Xavier Becerra (D) | 28% |
| Steve Hilton (R) | 24.6% |
| Tom Steyer (D) | 22.8% |
| Chad Bianco (R) | 10.2% |
| Katie Porter (D) | 4.4% |
| Matt Mahan (D) | 3.5% |
Source: California Secretary of State, Statement of Vote, June 2, 2026 primary. Shares of all 9,260,563 votes cast for governor, including 7 write-in candidates.
More registered voters took part than in the last governor’s primary. 40.8% of registered voters cast a ballot in June 2026, up from 33.2% in June 2022 (Statement of Vote).
- 9.4 million
- ballots cast in the June 2 primary
- 40.8%
- of 23.2 million registered voters
- 1.8 to 1
- registered Democrats to Republicans
Can Gavin Newsom Run for Governor Again
No. The California Constitution says “No Governor may serve more than 2 terms,” and Newsom is finishing his second. He was elected in 2018, took office January 7, 2019, won re-election in 2022, and his term ends January 4, 2027 (California Constitution, Art. V, Sec. 2; Ballotpedia). Voters added the two-term limit with Proposition 140 in 1990.
How the Top-Two Primary Works
Every candidate for governor runs on one primary ballot, and the two with the most votes advance to November regardless of party. In 2026 the top two were a Democrat and a Republican. In a crowded field, two candidates from the same party can advance instead, which is why the order of finish mattered even among the Democrats.
From filing to taking office
- Before June Candidates qualify 60 made the governor ballot, of every party and none.
- June 2 Top-two primary Every voter gets the same list of candidates, whatever their party registration.
- After the count Results certified The Secretary of State publishes the Statement of Vote.
- November 3 General election Xavier Becerra vs. Steve Hilton.
- January 4, 2027 New governor takes office The Monday after January 1, as the constitution sets.
Sources: California Secretary of State; California Constitution, Article V, Section 2.
What the Governor of California Controls
The governor writes the first draft of the state budget, can veto any bill and can cut individual spending items. Each power below comes from the state constitution.
The next governor will also shape how California responds to federal policy, since the governor proposes how much the state spends on programs like Medi-Cal and signs or vetoes the laws the Legislature passes. See how governors across the country are chosen this year.
How to Vote in the November Governor Race
Check your registration now, then vote by mail, at a vote center or at your polling place by 8 p.m. on November 3. County elections offices mail a ballot to every active registered voter, and completed ballots are due at a drop box, vote center or elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Secretary of State). Check your status at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov and register at registertovote.ca.gov. Our voter registration guide lists every state’s deadline.
Need help at the polls? Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). If anyone is in danger, call 911.
California Governor Race Questions
Who is running for California governor in 2026?
Xavier Becerra (Democrat) and Steve Hilton (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. They were the top two finishers among 60 candidates in the June 2 primary, where Xavier Becerra won 28% and Steve Hilton 24.6%.
Can Gavin Newsom run for governor again in 2026?
No. The California Constitution says no governor may serve more than two terms. Newsom was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, and his second term ends January 4, 2027.
When is the California governor election?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The winner takes office on January 4, 2027, the Monday after January 1, as the state constitution sets.
How does the top-two primary work?
Every candidate runs on one primary ballot, and the two with the most votes advance to November regardless of party. That is why two members of the same party can face each other in a general election.
What does the governor of California do?
The governor signs or vetoes bills, can cut individual spending items from the budget, proposes the state budget each January, fills vacant offices and can grant pardons and commutations. A veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each house.
What You Can Do
- Confirm your registration at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov, and update your address if you moved.
- Read both candidates’ platforms on their own sites and in nonpartisan voter guides before you vote.
- Track your ballot once it is mailed, so you know it was counted.
- Ask your state legislators what they expect from the next governor on the budget. Find them with the Legislature’s Find Your Representative lookup.