California Governor Race 2026, Who’s Running and What It Means for Voters
Quick Answer
California's 2026 governor race is a wide-open contest with a June 2026 primary that is too close to call as votes continue to be counted. NBC News projects Democrat Xavier Becerra will advance to the November runoff, but his challenger could be Republican Steve Hilton or Democrat Tom Steyer.
- Best for: Voters who want to understand the shifting dynamics in the most consequential California election in years, and decide which candidate aligns with their priorities.
- Key point: As of June 8, 2026, Xavier Becerra leads in vote counts, but Tom Steyer is steadily gaining, and Republican Steve Hilton remains a viable contender for the second runoff spot.
- Bottom line: This race is not settled. With millions of ballots still uncounted, no one should assume a final outcome. Pay close attention to the next batch of results.
The Field Who’s Actually Running?
The 2026 California governor race is not a repeat of 2022. Back then, Gavin Newsom defeated Republican Brian Dahle in a predictable general election.
Today, the dynamic is fundamentally different. Newsom is term-limited, and the top-two primary system means two candidates—potentially from the same party—could face off in November.The three names dominating headlines are Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer, and Steve Hilton. Let's be blunt: these are not interchangeable figures.Becerra is a career Democratic politician who served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under Biden.His record includes steering the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and facing criticism over the agency's care of migrant children. He positions himself as a pragmatic progressive willing to revise climate goals to keep fuel affordable.Tom Steyer is the billionaire Democratic donor and environmental activist. He's been gaining ground steadily as votes are counted, according to ABC7's June 8 update.| Candidate | Party | Key Background | Current Status (June 8, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier Becerra | Democrat | Former HHS Secretary, CA Attorney General | Leads in vote count |
| Tom Steyer | Democrat | Billionaire environmental activist | Gaining steadily |
| Steve Hilton | Republican | Former Fox News host | Contender for second spot |
| Chad Bianco | Republican | Riverside County Sheriff | Also in race, anti-regulation platform |
The question isn't just who wins—it's whether the November runoff will be a Democrat vs. Democrat or a Democrat vs.
Why the Primary Results Are Still in Flux
If you're checking results and feeling confused, you're not alone. As of June 8, 2026, NBC News projects Becerra will advance, but the second spot remains "too close to call." ABC7 reports that millions of ballots still need to be counted.
This is not a glitch—it's California's voting system working as designed. California mails ballots to every registered voter, and ballots postmarked by Election Day are counted if they arrive within days afterward.That means the final tally can shift significantly. In 2022, Newsom's primary win was called quickly because the margin was massive.In 2026, the margins are razor-thin between second and third place. The report from ABC7 on June 8 specifically notes that while Becerra maintains the lead, Steyer "continues to steadily gain votes." This suggests late-counted ballots lean toward Steyer.If that trend holds, he could leapfrog Hilton or even challenge Becerra for the top spot. The YouTube video from NBC News, posted on June 6, also emphasizes that the race to challenge incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass remains too close to call—further evidence that California's 2026 election cycle is unpredictable.What does this mean for you? If you're a voter who hasn't seen your ballot counted yet, your vote may still matter.If you're an observer, don't trust incomplete headlines. The final primary result may not be known for another week.The lesson here: never assume an election is over until every legal ballot is counted. That patience is not weakness—it's democracy.What Each Candidate Actually Stands For
Let's cut through the campaign rhetoric. Here's what the available data tells us about each candidate's core positions.
Becerra says he's open to revising California's climate goals to keep fuel affordable for middle-class residents. That's a significant shift from the state's aggressive green agenda.He also wants to declare a state of emergency to freeze utility and insurance rates. This positions him as a moderate Democrat willing to buck the environmental wing of his party.Steyer's platform is less detailed in the provided web content, but his history as an environmental activist suggests he will push for stronger climate action. His steady vote gain indicates that voters who prioritize environmental issues are rallying behind him late in the count.Hilton's approach is combative. He told Eyewitness News: "I am going to take a nuclear bomb into that building and absolutely destroy everything that they do to us behind closed doors." That's not policy—it's a promise of disruption.His appeal is to voters who feel Sacramento is broken and needs a wrecking ball. Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, wants to suspend numerous state regulations, particularly environmental ones, and overturn California's sanctuary law.His pitch is law-and-order conservatism in a state that often rejects that approach.| Issue | Becerra | Steyer | Hilton | Bianco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate policy | Open to revising goals for affordability | Likely supports aggressive action | Unknown, but anti-regulation | Opposes environmental regulations |
| Utility/insurance rates | Wants to freeze via emergency | Not specified | Anti-government intervention | Anti-regulation |
| Sanctuary law | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Wants to overturn |
| Campaign style | Establishment pragmatist | Wealthy activist | Disruptor | Law-and-order |
The honest take: none of these candidates offers a complete package. Becerra is the safest bet for continuity.
Steyer is the most aggressive on climate. Hilton and Bianco are protest votes against the entire system.Your choice depends on whether you want stability, disruption, or a middle ground that may not exist.How the 2026 Race Compares to 2022
The contrast between 2022 and 2026 is stark. In 2022, Gavin Newsom was the incumbent with national name recognition, facing Brian Dahle, a little-known Republican state senator.
The election was never truly competitive—Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections all rated it "Solid Democratic" or "Safe Democratic."Fast forward to 2026. There is no incumbent.
The primary is wide open. A Republican—Steve Hilton—is leading in some polls as the primary approached, according to ABC7.That would have been unthinkable in 2022. The fact that a conservative commentator could even contend for the second spot signals real voter frustration.Another difference: the volume and tone of the race. In 2022, the general election was a foregone conclusion.In 2026, the primary itself is a nail-biter. The YouTube video from NBC News on June 6 shows 225 comments and 24,200 views in just two days—evidence of intense public interest.| Aspect | 2022 Election | 2026 Primary (as of June 8) |
|---|---|---|
| Incumbent | Gavin Newsom (D) | None (open seat) |
| Primary date | June 7, 2022 | June 2026 (votes still counting) |
| General date | November 8, 2022 | November 2026 |
| Rating | Solid/Safe Democratic | Uncertain; contested |
| Key candidates | Newsom, Dahle | Becerra, Steyer, Hilton, Bianco |
| Outcome certainty | High | Low |
If you voted in 2022 expecting a boring race, 2026 is your wake-up call.
What This Means for Your Vote and Your Wallet
This race directly affects your life. The California governor commands a $300 billion budget, as CalMatters notes.
That's larger than most countries' national budgets. The decisions made by the next governor will impact your taxes, your utility bills, your insurance rates, and your children's education.If you're a middle-class Californian struggling with high fuel prices and utility costs, Becerra's willingness to revise climate goals is directly relevant. If you're an environmental activist, Steyer is your candidate.If you're a conservative who feels ignored by Sacramento, Hilton or Bianco are your options—but be realistic about their chances in a general election. Your next action should be research.Don't rely on headline results. Visit the CalMatters voter guide.Watch the debate footage. Read each candidate's position papers.And if you haven't voted yet in the primary, remember that California's system allows late-counted ballots to shift outcomes—so your vote still matters. For those who want to show civic pride, consider displaying a California State Flag 3x5 Feet at home or work.It's a simple way to signal engagement. And for groups gathering to watch election returns, Political Debate Bingo Cards can make the process more fun and educational.After you vote, a pack of I Voted Sticker Pack 50 Pack can help you remind friends and family to participate. Your vote is not a lottery ticket—it's a statement about the kind of California you want to live in.Frequently Asked Questions
When will we know the final primary results?
It's unclear. As of June 8, 2026, millions of ballots remain uncounted.
ABC7 reports that a new batch of votes was counted on June 7, showing Becerra still leading and Steyer gaining. Final results could take a week or more due to California's mail-in ballot processing rules.Could two Democrats face off in November?
Yes. The top-two primary system means the top two vote-getters advance, regardless of party.
If Becerra and Steyer finish first and second, the general election will be between two Democrats. If Hilton or Bianco slip into second place, it will be a Democrat vs.Republican race.Is Steve Hilton actually leading in any polls?
Yes. The ABC7 report states that "leading in some polls in the wide-open California Governor's race as the June primary creeps closer is Republican and former Fox News host Steve Hilton." However, polling and actual votes can differ, and current vote counts show Becerra ahead.
What is Chad Bianco's main issue?
Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, is pushing to suspend numerous state regulations, particularly environmental ones, and says he would overturn California's sanctuary law as governor. His campaign is built on law-and-order and deregulation.
How can I follow updates on the race?
The best sources are CalMatters, ABC7, and NBC News. The YouTube videos from NBC News (June 6) and ABC7 (June 8) provide the latest analysis.
Also check the CalMatters voter guide for candidate positions and debate coverage.Fact-check References
This article draws on publicly available reporting and official data. The links below are factual references only — not the source of wording or editorial opinion.
- https://abc7news.com/post/governor-california-race-live-election-results-updates... — checked 2026-06-08
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpIH2F4FsQw — checked 2026-06-08
- https://ballotpedia.org/California_gubernatorial_election,_2022 — checked 2026-06-08
- https://calmatters.org/california-voter-guide-2026/governor — checked 2026-06-08
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVhp5zrTHQg — checked 2026-06-08
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