2026 California gubernatorial election

The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of California. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom will be term-limited and ineligible to seek reelection. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former California Senate president pro tempore Toni Atkins, and former Controller Betty Yee have declared their candidacies. The field of candidates is expected to expand in the coming years and be extremely competitive.

Declared

 * Toni Atkins, former President pro tempore of the California State Senate (2018–2024) and former Speaker of the California State Assembly (2012-2016) from the 39th district (2016–present)
 * Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California (2019–present) and former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary (2010–2013)
 * Jesse Perez, former Treasurer of Future Farmers of America (2022–2023)
 * Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (2019–present)
 * Betty Yee, California Democratic Party vice chair (2021–present) and former California State Controller (2015–2023)
 * Michael L. Younger, vice president of Calbright College (2022–present) and former California Deputy Director of the Workforce

Publicly expressed interest

 * Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California (2021–present)
 * Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–present), former Attorney General of California (2017–2021), and former U.S. Representative (1993–2017)
 * Rick Caruso, real estate developer and runner-up for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022
 * Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles (2005–2013) and candidate for governor in 2018

Potential

 * Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles (2022–present), former U.S. Representative from CA's 37th congressional district (2011–2022), and former Speaker of the California State Assembly (2008–2010)
 * Laphonza Butler, U.S. Senator (2023–present) and former president of EMILY's List (2021–2023)
 * Katie Porter, U.S. Representative for CA's 47th congressional district (2019–present)

Withdrew

 * Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (2019–present) (running for lieutenant governor)

Declared

 * Leo Zacky, Vice President of Zacky Farms, Former board member of the California Poultry Federation (2009-2019).

Potential

 * Chad Bianco, Sheriff-Coroner of Riverside County (2019–present)

Declined

 * Kevin McCarthy, former U.S. Representative for California's 20th congressional district (2007–2023) and former Speaker of the House (2023)

Potential

 * Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, actor, businessman, and professional wrestler.