A further Democrat has joined the progressively busy competition to succeed California Governor. .
On Thursday, California Representative Eric Swalwell, a member of the team that organized the 2021 impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, officially began his campaign.
Swalwell marks the second Democrat this week to reveal intentions to enter the contest: Tom Steyer, a billionaire philanthropist and climate activist who unsuccessfully ran for president in the 2020 election, declared on Tuesday.
These two additions contribute to an already extensive lineup for the 2026 election, now featuring 10 Democrats and two Republicans. However, while the group comprises several well-known figures—including a past congressional representative, a former Cabinet official, and another billionaire—it currently lacks an obvious front-runner. Newsom, who has served as the state’s governor since 2019 and is reportedly considering a 2028 presidential campaign, is ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Other individuals who have held leadership positions in the state have already withdrawn from the competition, and a few influential Democrats widely expected to contend have instead declared they will not participate.
Below is essential information regarding this highly contested election.
Who is contending to succeed Newsom?
Beyond Swalwell and Steyer, the other Democratic contenders include past California Congresswoman Katie Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and ex-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Campaigns have also been initiated by former state Controller Betty Yee and Stephen Cloobeck, a real estate developer and billionaire, along with state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
The two Republican hopefuls are Steve Hilton, a former Fox News anchor, and Chad Bianco, the current sheriff of Riverside County.
Who has opted out of the race—or withdrawn?
For several months, it was rumored that former Vice President Kamala Harris might pursue a gubernatorial campaign in her native state. However, the ex-presidential contender confirmed in July that she would not be joining the competition.
California Senator Alex Padilla, another prominent Democratic figure, indicated earlier this month that he also would not seek the position—a decision that surprised many across the state.
Certain individuals who had initially intended to run, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, have since withdrawn from the contest over recent months.
What do surveys indicate?
Surveys suggest the congested field lacks a definitive leading candidate.
A survey from the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, published earlier this month, disclosed that 44% of the state’s registered voters are still undecided on a candidate to support. Bianco secured the highest backing in the poll, at 13%, with Porter closely behind at 11%.
Porter has faced some recent contention, following the online sharing of videos last autumn depicting her. Porter responded to criticism regarding the videos at a public forum last month, stating she “could have managed that interview more effectively” and had apologized to the staffer at the time. “I apologized immediately when it occurred because it was improper—right then and there, and I recognized it,” she declared. “I could have performed better in that scenario, I understand. I genuinely want my team to know I appreciate them.”
An Emerson College survey, conducted last month after the videos were made public, also indicated Porter had the strongest support among Democratic hopefuls in the contest at 15%, while Hilton held the overall lead with 16% of voter backing. Only one additional candidate, Bianco, reached double-digit support at 11%. Nevertheless, almost 40% of voters remained uncommitted.
The primary election, slated for June 2026, is now fewer than seven months away. The state employs a top-two primary system, which dictates that the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the primary will proceed to the general election, irrespective of their political affiliation.
