Race · November 3, 2026

Governor · California

2 candidates on the ballot — an open seat, with no incumbent running.1

How this race is decided: Under California's top-two system, only the two candidates who received the most votes in the June 2, 2026, primary, regardless of party preference, appear on this general-election ballot.1,2

§1Candidates

Why this matters: Every candidate the state lists for this race on the November ballot, in the state's own order.

Xavier Becerra
Democratic · Open seat
Steve Hilton
Republican · Open seat

§2Side by side

Why this matters: The same facts for every candidate, in the same order. Where we found nothing for a candidate, the cell says so — that means we didn't find it in public sources, not that it doesn't exist.

Scroll sideways on small screens. Select a name for the full page.
Xavier BecerraSteve Hilton
Party on the ballotDemocratic1Republican1,3
StatusOpen seatOpen seat
MoneyCandidates for governor file campaign-finance reports with the state, not the FEC, so this guide doesn't include their fundraising. Search the state's reports: Cal-Access campaign finance activity search — California Secretary of State.4

Issues only one candidate has addressed

By candidate, in ballot order. We found nothing public from the other candidates in this race on these issues.

Xavier Becerra — 2 issues
  • Child care costs
    His campaign website says that as governor he would expand help with child care and other essential costs.5
  • Health insurance system
    One government plan for everyone (Medicare for All)
    His campaign website says that as governor he would make health care affordable, strengthen Medi-Cal and build toward a universal single-payer system in California.5
Steve Hilton — 2 issues
  • State government spending
    His campaign website says he would take on what it describes as a bloated state government that drives up costs and slows growth, and cut back waste.6,7
  • State income tax
    Cut rates or move to a single flat rate
    His campaign website says he would eliminate state income tax on the first $150,000 people earn.6,7

Issue statements are drafted by AI from the public sources cited, and only cover what each candidate has said publicly.