Election
2026

Former California Attorney General (2017–2021) and Biden administration Secretary of Health and Human Services. Led the ACA defense before the Supreme Court and oversaw COVID vaccine distribution nationally. Now the polling co-leader at 18%, Becerra enters the race with $3.8M cash on hand and institutional Democratic support from Sacramento to Washington.

British-born former Fox News host and ex-strategy director for UK Prime Minister David Cameron. Moved to Silicon Valley and became a prominent conservative voice on populist economics and anti-establishment politics. Tied with Becerra at 18% — the highest-polling Republican gubernatorial candidate California has seen in years. Leading all candidates in fundraising among non-self-funders.

Billionaire hedge fund manager turned environmental activist who spent $150M+ on progressive causes before running for president in 2020. Self-funding his 2026 gubernatorial bid with $28M already invested and $26M of it already spent on TV and digital ads — the most visible campaign in the race. Polling at 12% despite the massive spend.

Former Congresswoman (CA-47) who became a national progressive icon for her whiteboard cross-examinations of corporate executives in House committee hearings. Lost her 2024 Senate bid to Adam Schiff but enters the governor's race with $3.2M cash on hand and a massive small-dollar donor network. Polling at 8% but considered a top-tier contender by party insiders.

Two-term Riverside County Sheriff and one of California's most prominent conservative law enforcement officials. Became nationally known for refusing to enforce Newsom's COVID lockdown orders and for his outspoken opposition to California's criminal justice reform laws. Running on a public safety and anti-Sacramento insurgency platform as the law-enforcement-backed alternative to Hilton in the Republican primary.

California's State Controller since January 2023 — the first Black woman elected to this office. Previously served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the California Board of Equalization. As Controller, she oversees disbursement of all state funds, audits government agencies, and manages the state's unclaimed property program. Campaigning on transparency, fiscal efficiency, and accountability in how California spends its money.

Chief Investment Officer and founder of an investment management firm later acquired by Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors. Running on a platform of exposing government waste and fraud using the investment-world discipline of tracking where every dollar goes. Morgan argues that a CIO's mindset — not a politician's — is what California's finances actually need.

California's Secretary of State since 2021 — appointed by Gov. Newsom and subsequently elected in 2022 with 60.1%, making history as the first Black person to hold the office. Former Assemblywoman who represented San Diego for over a decade. Oversees elections administration, business filings, and the state archives. Known for expanding voter access and modernizing the election system.

Orange County Supervisor, former Mayor of Irvine, and former California State Assemblymember. Running on an election integrity platform — calling for voter ID at the polls and criticizing Weber's office for California's notoriously slow ballot-counting process. Has a long record of elected office and is the most credentialed Republican challenger for any statewide office in 2026.

The incumbent Attorney General appointed in 2021. Bonta has focused his first full term on enforcing housing mandates, environmental justice, and litigating against the federal administration.

A former trial attorney and longtime Huntington Beach City Attorney. He is known for actively challenging state mandates and lenient criminal justice policies emanating from Sacramento.

Currently serving as California's State Treasurer, Ma is a certified public accountant with deep ties in state finance. She is seeking the Lt. Governor role to expand her influence over state economic boards.

A former Democratic Senate Majority Leader who represented East LA for 12 years. She recently switched to the Republican Party to champion school choice and government transparency.

The current Lieutenant Governor of California, stepping over to run for Treasurer. Kounalakis has extensive experience on state boards and as a former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary.

A Silicon Valley retiree, school executive, and local activist who has never held public office. She is running to provide an independent financial check on Sacramento's supermajority.

The former Speaker of the California State Assembly. Rendon has a deep background in early childhood education advocacy and seeks to bring his legislative power to the state's schools.

The outspoken president of the Chino Valley Unified School Board. Shaw gained national attention for passing parental notification policies and heavily advocating for traditional curriculum.

The 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles and former Speaker of the CA Assembly, Bass has focused her first term on homelessness and public safety. Running for her second term to finish her "Locked Arms" initiative.

An urban planner and current LA City Councilmember, Raman is a leading voice for progressive housing reforms and climate urgency. She is challenging from the left to prioritize systemic changes.

A former reality television personality turned political activist, Pratt is running as an outsider focused on fiscal integrity and cutting through City Hall bureaucracy.

The incumbent Sheriff and former Long Beach Police Chief, elected in 2022 to restore trust. He focuses on transparency and cooperation with the Board of Supervisors.

A 36-year veteran of the LASD, Villanueva served as Sheriff from 2018 to 2022. He is known for a "law and order" approach and combative relationship with county oversight.

A Dominican Republic immigrant and U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Martinez has deep ground-level experience in the LASD working across jails, patrol, and professional standards.

Business owner who founded and later sold Gaspar Insurance (2008–2021). Has the endorsement of term-limited incumbent Bob Blumenfield and is seen as the establishment continuity candidate for the district.

District director for LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, managing constituent services across the district. She brings direct government operations experience to the race and strong county-level connections.

Tech entrepreneur running on a "Compassionate Capitalism" platform. Positions himself as a true political outsider with a private-sector lens on solving housing and homelessness through market innovation rather than government programs.

Incumbent Councilmember elected in 2022, known for aggressive enforcement of LAMC 41.18 anti-camping ordinance. Has raised over $1 million and secured significant independent expenditure support heading into her re-election bid.

Civil rights attorney supported by the LA chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. Running to Park's left on housing rights, homelessness services, and police accountability in a district that leans moderate but has a vocal progressive base.

Venice-based attorney with 30 years of environmental and land use law practice. Served on the LA Planning Commission. Leads the crowded field at 13% in internal polling and is positioning himself as the moderate, experienced choice in a race with 13 candidates.

West Hollywood City Councilmember since 2020 and prominent LGBTQ+ advocate. Running on a housing-forward, progressive platform and has built a strong volunteer coalition. Currently polling second at 10% in the crowded open primary.

Conservative Republican candidate running in SD 24's open-seat primary. Brings a business and marketing background to a race dominated by Democrats in one of California's most progressive coastal districts. Unlikely to advance past California's top-two primary but represents the Republican voter base on the Westside and South Bay.

LA Community College District Board of Trustees member and housing/immigration/environmental attorney. Former LAUSD middle school teacher who grew up in the district. Leads in fundraising with $354,545 raised, the most of any candidate in the race.

Former state Assemblymember (2017–2024) from Boyle Heights who served in the Assembly for seven years before being term-limited. Former journalist and labor activist. Raising $160,628 and returning to electoral politics after her Assembly term ended.

Republican candidate running in the SD 26 open-seat primary covering Boyle Heights, East LA, Silver Lake, and Koreatown. Agraz is running on a platform of fiscal conservatism and public safety in a district that historically leans heavily Democratic. Unlikely to advance past the top-two primary but gives Republican voters a choice in this open-seat race.

Incumbent Assemblymember from Sierra Madre. Has focused his first term on wildfire policy, water resources, and local environmental protections in a district straddling the LA/San Bernardino County border along the foothills.

Republican challenger aiming to flip a competitive foothill district that has historically swung between the parties. Running on a platform of public safety, fiscal restraint, and pushback against Sacramento's regulatory reach into local communities.

Agoura Hills City Councilmember running to represent the same suburban communities she already serves. Positioned as the local government experience candidate in a race where the district's suburban character rewards pragmatic, service-focused candidates.

Westlake Village City Councilmember, attorney, and professor. Brings legal expertise and academic perspective to policy challenges facing the Conejo Valley corridor. Running on education, environmental stewardship, and accessible government.

Republican candidate running in the AD 42 open-seat race covering Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and the Simi Valley border. This district is more competitive than many in LA County, and a Republican has a legitimate shot at placing in the top two given the suburban and semi-rural voter mix in the Conejo Valley corridor.

Incumbent senator from Panorama City, in office since December 2022. A mental health clinician by training, Menjivar has focused her first term on healthcare access, housing affordability, and working-class Valley families — making her one of the more progressive voices representing the San Fernando Valley in Sacramento.

Professor at Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys, running with no party preference. Brings an academic and educator's lens to the race, positioning himself as an independent alternative to the two-party choices in a district where community college serves a large segment of working families.

Republican challenger running to flip SD 20 in a Valley district where some moderate and homeowner-heavy precincts have shown GOP competitiveness in recent cycles. Running on public safety, anti-tax messaging, and rolling back what he characterizes as Sacramento overreach into Valley communities.

Incumbent Assemblymember and Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee — one of the most powerful positions in the state legislature. Re-elected with 63.8% in 2024. Gabriel has used his budget chairmanship to drive investments in housing, education, and mental health services across the San Fernando Valley and statewide.

Republican candidate challenging incumbent Jesse Gabriel in the AD 46 general election. Schroeder is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility, public safety, and reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses in the San Fernando Valley. Faces a steep uphill climb in a district Gabriel carried with 63.8% in 2024.

Former CEO of Virgin Galactic who flipped CA-27 from Republican control in 2024 with 51.3% of the vote — the closest race of these five districts. With $3.39M raised and redistricting moving the seat left, he enters 2026 as a well-funded incumbent in a now-safer district.

Santa Clarita City Councilman and the most credible Republican challenger in the CA-27 field. With $344K raised he is far behind Whitesides financially, but represents the kind of local-government-experienced Republican who historically made CA-27 competitive under predecessor Mike Garcia.

Long-serving Congresswoman first elected in 2009, making her one of California's most experienced House members. Former chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Represents a D+15 district and enters 2026 with $823K raised and no serious general election opposition.

Gen Z Democratic challenger running a grassroots primary campaign against Chu from the left. Represents a new generation of candidates arguing that a D+15 district should have bolder, younger representation in Washington rather than a 16-year incumbent running on seniority alone.

Republican candidate running against long-serving Congresswoman Judy Chu in CA-28. Verlato filed to give Republican voters a choice in this Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley district. A D+15 Cook rating means a Republican victory here is a long shot, but Verlato represents the option for voters who want a conservative alternative in the November general.

Incumbent Congresswoman who won the seat in a special election and subsequently won re-election in 2024. Former California State Assemblywoman who represented Arleta and the northeast Valley before moving to Congress. Focused on working-class Latino communities, youth services, and immigration.

Progressive challenger running for a second time after previously competing against a 25-year incumbent and pulling 42% of the vote with under $200K raised. Her persistence and improving vote share suggest a growing grassroots infrastructure in a D+20 district where a progressive primary upset is not out of the question.

Republican candidate running in CA-29 covering Alhambra, Monterey Park, and Northeast Los Angeles. Carranza is running on conservative values in a D+20 district that is one of the most heavily Democratic in Southern California. Her candidacy ensures Republican voters in the San Gabriel Valley have a general election choice in November.

Republican candidate filed for CA-29 covering Northeast Los Angeles, Alhambra, and Monterey Park. Sparrow is one of two Republicans in this race alongside Margarita Carranza, giving the district's conservative voters two options in the primary. Running in a D+20 district against incumbent Luz Maria Rivas and progressive challenger Angélica Dueñas — both Republicans face an uphill battle to advance past the top-two primary.

Former California State Assemblywoman who won the CA-30 open seat in 2024 with 68.4%, stepping into Adam Schiff's former congressional district. With $640K raised and a D+22 rating, she enters 2026 in an exceptionally strong position. Known for transportation and environmental legislation during her Assembly tenure.

Aerospace entrepreneur running with no party preference against Friedman in the most well-funded non-incumbent challenge in this race at $69K raised. Pitches himself as a business-minded independent who can bring private sector discipline to Congress in a district with deep ties to the aerospace and entertainment industries.

Republican candidate and YouTube creator running in CA-30's Burbank/Glendale/Studio City district. Feitosa brings a media-savvy digital-first campaign style to a race against heavily favored incumbent Laura Friedman. Running in the D+22 seat that was previously Adam Schiff's, his campaign focuses on fiscal conservatism and government accountability in a district with deep ties to the entertainment industry.

Long-serving Congressman and CPA first elected in 1996 — one of the most senior members in California's delegation. Re-elected in 2024 with 66.2%. Serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Financial Services Committee. Known for his finance expertise and has been a fixture in the West San Fernando Valley for nearly three decades.

Former Senior Director for Climate & Energy at the National Security Council under the Biden administration. Brings White House-level policy experience to a primary crowded with challengers, positioning himself as the credentialed progressive alternative who can actually govern from day one.

Small business owner, Israeli-born American, and international trade expert challenging Sherman from a centrist position. Her background in international commerce gives her credibility on trade and foreign policy — two areas where Sherman has dominated but also drawn criticism from different ends of the political spectrum.

Climate scientist challenging Sherman from a science-and-data-driven perspective. In a district that includes some of LA's most climate-conscious communities — from Woodland Hills to the Westside — her technical expertise on the defining issue of the generation makes her a distinctive voice in the crowded primary field.

Moderate Republican and the California Republican Party's unanimously endorsed candidate for CA-32. Thompson is running as a pragmatic conservative in a district covering West LA, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Woodland Hills. His moderate positioning is a deliberate strategy for a D+17 district — the CA GOP sees him as their best shot at making the race competitive and giving Republican voters in the San Fernando Valley a credible general election candidate.