California governor race tightens as candidates make final pitch

The race for California’s 2026 governor is entering its final days, with candidates racing to win over voters before the June 2 primary. After Representative Eric Swalwell withdrew amid misconduct allegations, the Democratic field remains fragmented while Republicans vie for a chance to break the state’s Democratic streak [1].

Key takeaways

• The top‑two primary system means the two highest vote‑getters, regardless of party, will face off in November [2].
• Former U.S. health secretary Xavier Becerra, billionaire Tom Steyer, Rep. Katie Porter, and San Jose mayor Matt Mahan are the leading Democrats, while former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Sheriff Chad Bianco headline the Republican slate [2].
• Polls in May show Becerra and Hilton each at roughly 20% support, with Steyer, Bianco and Porter trailing closely behind, and no other candidate reaching double‑digit levels [2].
• Voter turnout is low; only about 13% of the electorate has voted so far, with Republicans voting at a higher early rate than usual [2].
• The outcome could determine whether a Democrat appears on the November ballot at all, a scenario not seen since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011 [1].

Democratic scramble after Swalwell’s exit

Swalwell’s sudden departure left Democrats without a clear front‑runner, prompting former Congresswoman Katie Porter and climate‑activist billionaire Tom Steyer to try to capture his supporters. Porter has shifted her messaging toward housing affordability, posting social‑media calls to “fast‑track approvals” to lower construction costs [1]. Steyer, meanwhile, released a video outlining a plan to make California “more affordable” and criticized President Donald Trump’s foreign policy at a gas‑station event in Los Angeles [1]. Both are competing with a slate of lesser‑known Democrats, including Becerra, who is touting his “hot competence summer” and more than three decades of public service, and San Jose mayor Matt Mahan, who is campaigning on local issues [2].

Republican contenders seek breakthrough

Republicans are also jockeying for position under the same top‑two system. Former Fox News host Steve Hilton, backed by President Trump, pledged to end a “bloated, nanny‑state bureaucracy” in remarks outside the state Capitol, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco emphasizes public safety [2]. A March poll indicated Republican voters were evenly split between Hilton and Bianco, and a Trump endorsement of Hilton was expected to shift the balance, though the endorsement did not materialize at the state party convention [1]. Both candidates remain competitive, hoping that a split Democratic vote could open a path to the general election.

Why it matters

California’s governor controls policies that often set national precedents in tech, environment and consumer regulation, making the race significant beyond the state’s borders. If the top‑two primary yields two Republicans, the state could see its first GOP governor in over a decade; conversely, a Democrat‑Republican matchup would preserve the party’s historical dominance. With early voting still underway and voter enthusiasm low, the next few days are critical for candidates to differentiate themselves and mobilize supporters before the primary deadline [1][2].