The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the
governor of California. Incumbent
Democratic Governor
Gavin Newsom will be term-limited and ineligible to seek reelection. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor
Eleni Kounalakis, incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction
Tony Thurmond, former
California Senate president pro tempore
Toni Atkins, and former Controller
Betty Yee have declared their candidacies. The field of candidates is expected to expand in the coming years.
The 2026 California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the
governor of California. Incumbent
Democratic Governor
Gavin Newsom will be term-limited and ineligible to seek reelection. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor
Eleni Kounalakis, incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction
Tony Thurmond, former
California Senate president pro tempore
Toni Atkins, and former Controller
Betty Yee have declared their candidacies. The field of candidates is expected to expand in the coming years.