2026 Primary Candidates

Governor

Xavier Becerra

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Experience / Resume

CA State Assembly, US Congress, CA Attorney General, US Health & Human Services Director under President Biden.

Key Positions

Strengthen Medi-Cal and move toward single-payer; fight Trump; build housing; fight price-gouging; help with childcare and essential costs; use state power to lower prices; clean energy and grid resilience; disaster preparedness with dignity and equity.

Some Endorsements

California Young Democrats, CHIRLA, Equality California, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $4,498,699.20 in 6,909 contributions
Biggest Donors: California State Council of Laborers PAC, Pechanga Band of Indians, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, AltaMed Health Services Corp, Border Health Federal PAC, Chevron USA Inc, Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition PAC.

Matt Mahan

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Experience / Resume

Tech industry (voter engagement and nonprofit awareness); San Jose neighborhood councils; San Jose City Council and Mayor.

Key Positions

Affordable housing; stand up for immigrant communities and against ICE; campaigned for Prop 36 (mandated drug treatment); temporary gas tax suspension; “spend better, not more”; protect Hollywood jobs; secure water supply and support farmers; invest in alternative land uses.

Some Endorsements

CO Governor Jared Polis, Thrive LA, Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $14,154,419.87 in 1,918 contributions
Biggest Donors: Napster co-founder Sean Parker, Ring founder Jamie Siminoff, Twitch co-founder Kyle Vogt, Roblox co-founders David and Jan Baszucki, DoorDash executives Tony Xun Xu, Stanley Tang, and Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean.

Katie Porter

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Experience / Resume

Three terms in US Congress; UC Irvine Law Professor; Consumer Advocate.

Key Positions

Lowering housing costs; abolish ICE; protecting healthcare from Trump; ending homelessness; free childcare for all; fighting income inequality; tuition-free college degree; protecting our planet; standing up for workers; LGBTQ+ protections; wildfires and climate resilience; single-payer healthcare.

Some Endorsements

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Robert Garcia, EMILY's List, UAW, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Teamsters CA, End Citizens United, CA Environmental Voters, AFL-CIO.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $8,638,649.17 in 46,712 contributions
Biggest Donors: Does not accept corporate PAC money; National Union of Healthcare Workers Candidate Committee; several California Teamsters PACs; Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ PACs; local unions; celebrities including actor Edward Norton.

Tom Steyer

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Experience / Resume

Former hedge fund manager and billionaire; helped pass ballot propositions to protect CA environmental law, close corporate tax loopholes, fight big tobacco, and Prop 50.

Key Positions

Build 1 million affordable homes; make corporations and billionaires pay more taxes; ban corporate PAC money from CA elections; keep CA the entertainment capital of the world; lower electric and gas bills; free education pre-K to college; stop ICE agents from terrorizing CA; defend climate and environment; ensure healthcare for all Californians; make sure all Californians benefit from AI.

Some Endorsements

Rep. Ro Khanna, Former CA Controller Betty Yee, Our Revolution, Courage California, CA Teachers Association, Jane Fonda.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $158,660,741.84 in 240 contributions
Biggest Donors: Himself; businessman Nat Simons; businessman Alfred Clark; Richard and Dee Lawrence (co-founders of clean energy nonprofit Cool Effect).

Lieutenant Governor

Josh Fryday

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Experience / Resume

California’s Chief Service Officer; JAG Officer in US Navy; urged closing of Guantánamo; COO NextGen Climate; former Mayor of Novato.

Key Positions

Build the strongest and cleanest economy; create service and job pathways for all; build more housing; strengthen public education and support educators.

Some Endorsements

Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg, Barbara Boxer, CA Teachers Association, CA Federation of Teachers, CA School Employees Association, CA Environmental Voters.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $3,498,623.88 in 2,527 contributions
Biggest Donors: Individual donors.

Fiona Ma

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Experience / Resume

Two-term CA Treasurer; Certified Public Accountant.

Key Positions

Make California affordable again while maintaining commitment to freedom, a healthy climate, and quality education; grow the economy, attract investment, and create high-quality jobs; college affordability; ensure seniors can age with dignity; healthcare access; champion first responders and public safety personnel; build more housing.

Some Endorsements

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, SoS Shirley Weber, Teamsters, LiUNA, AFL-CIO, National Union of Healthcare Workers, various building and trade associations.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $6,646,772.10 in 3,946 contributions
Biggest Donors: Southern California Pipe Trades District Council No. 16 PAC, Operating Engineers Local Union 3, Black Eagle Inc, Building a Stronger Future for California PAC, Corn Next Holdings Inc, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California PAC, individual donors.

Michael Tubbs

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Experience / Resume

Former Mayor of Stockton where he implemented Universal Basic Income; founder of End Poverty in California.

Key Positions

Housing affordability including leasing and developing UC, CSU, and CA public lands to build housing; higher education affordability including no tuition increases, linking CalFresh to financial aid, building student and faculty housing; economic mobility including basic income; environmental protection including promoting green energy and ending fossil fuel reliance.

Some Endorsements

Rep. Robert Garcia, Rep. Latifah Simons, Mayor Barbara Lee, SEIU California, Working Families Party, CA Environmental Voters, CA YIMBY, IE Votes, Courage California.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $2,224,134.08 in 2,206 contributions
Biggest Donors: Raise the Wage California (SEIU), SEIU Local 2015 State PAC, SEIU Local 721, individual donors.

Attorney General

Rob Bonta

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Experience / Resume

Incumbent California Attorney General; former CA State Assemblymember.

Key Positions

CADEM-endorsed; focuses on criminal justice reform, consumer protection, environmental justice, and defending civil rights.

Some Endorsements

California Democratic Party (CADEM) and allied organizations.

Contributions & Donors

See CA Secretary of State filings for detailed contributions.

Secretary of State

Shirley Weber

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Experience / Resume

Incumbent California Secretary of State; former CA State Assemblymember; educator.

Key Positions

CADEM-endorsed; focuses on expanding voting rights, election security, and civic participation.

Some Endorsements

California Democratic Party (CADEM) and allied organizations.

Contributions & Donors

See CA Secretary of State filings for detailed contributions.

State Controller

Malia Cohen

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Experience / Resume

Incumbent California State Controller.

Key Positions

CADEM-endorsed; focuses on fiscal accountability, transparency, and equity in state spending.

Some Endorsements

California Democratic Party (CADEM) and allied organizations.

Contributions & Donors

See CA Secretary of State filings for detailed contributions.

State Treasurer

Anna Caballero

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Experience / Resume

CA Senate, CA Assembly, Mayor of Salinas, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency under Governor Jerry Brown; authored The Distressed Hospital Loan Program.

Key Positions

Increase housing supply by cutting red tape and streamlining regulations; expand affordable housing programs; stop ICE by restricting state bond money from funding raids and detention centers; prioritize bond financing and incentives for cities building housing and infrastructure; support early intervention clinics and reduce healthcare costs for working families; protect and expand retirement security for public employees; expand access to housing, education, and job training for veterans; prioritize green investments in clean energy, water systems, and sustainable infrastructure.

Some Endorsements

US Rep Zoe Lofgren, CA Speaker Robert Rivas, several CA Assembly Members, California Young Democrats, Democratic Women’s Caucus, Latina Leads California, California Latino Legislative Caucus, YIMBY California, Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 246.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $2,026,900.95 in 840 contributions
Biggest Donors: Building a Stronger Future for California PAC (Western States Regional Council of Carpenters), Niagara Bottling LLC, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling LLC, Novo Nordisk Inc, Los Angeles Police Protective League PAC, Arb Gaming LLC, California Apartment Association PAC, Meta Platforms Inc, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 549 PAC.

Eleni Kounalakis

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Experience / Resume

CA Lieutenant Governor; President of AKT Development (housing developer); US Ambassador to Hungary under President Obama.

Key Positions

Responsible investment in education, climate resilience, and infrastructure; fiscal stewardship; commitment to equity; investments that reflect California’s values.

Some Endorsements

Gavin Newsom, Fiona Ma, Malia Cohen, Rob Bonta, Kamala Harris, Adam Schiff, Alex Padilla, Pete Buttigieg, Nancy Pelosi, Teamsters CA, Unite Here CA, CA Federation of Teachers, CA Teachers Association, CA Professional Firefighters.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $565,817.89 in 105 contributions
Biggest Donors: Western United Dairies PAC, California Metals Coalition PAC, California Cattlemen's Association PAC, Alexandra A. Tsakopoulos Investments, Blue Shield of California, California Almond Industry PAC, California Building Industry Association PAC, California Council for Affordable Housing PAC.

Tony Vazquez

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Experience / Resume

Board of Equalization Chair; former Santa Monica City Councilmember and Mayor.

Key Positions

Affordable housing through streamlined permits, tax incentives, and education for low-income households to claim property tax exemptions; invest in educational institutions; champion Latino communities.

Some Endorsements

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, CA State Senator Ben Allen, CA Assembly Members John Harabedian and Juan Carrillo, Stonewall Democrats.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $183,859.00 in 125 contributions
Biggest Donors: United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria, Union of American Physicians and Dentists Small Contributor Committee, Element Consulting Inc, Heritage Provider Network.

Insurance Commissioner

Ben Allen

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Experience / Resume

CA State Senator; former President of Santa Monica-Malibu USD Board of Education; Lecturer at UCLA Law; recognized for environmental advocacy.

Key Positions

Stabilize insurance markets by modernizing rate settings to account for climate risks; faster rate reviews; create resilient neighborhoods to bring down premiums; coordinate agencies to meet fire risk reduction targets; prevent insurers from investing in fossil fuel projects; have fossil fuel companies pay for environmental damages; post-disaster insurance compliance and transparency.

Some Endorsements

Adam Schiff, Alex Padilla, CA Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, CA Environmental Voters, Sierra Club, CA Professional Firefighters, UAW, Stonewall Young Democrats, Jane Fonda Climate Action PAC.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $668,631.13 in 573 contributions
Biggest Donors: California Real Estate PAC (CREPAC), Raise the Wage California (SEIU), California Teachers Association/Association for Better Citizenship, SEIU Local 721, Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals PAC.

Jane Kim

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Experience / Resume

Former San Francisco Supervisor; CA Political Director for Bernie 2020; CA Director for Working Families Party.

Key Positions

Provide natural disaster insurance for all; ensure premiums actually pay for claims; create a public option for affordable auto insurance; show how insurance companies spend your money; invest in safer homes and communities; enforce minimum coverage standards; end price discrimination for auto insurance; freeze rates after filing a claim; penalize delays; create a public insurer performance dashboard; plan to provide Medicare for kids.

Some Endorsements

Bernie Sanders, SEIU CA, CA Teachers Association, National Union of Healthcare Workers, UAW, Working Families Party, CA Young Democrats.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $521,298.00 in 400 contributions
Biggest Donors: Individuals (grassroots-funded campaign).

Patrick Wolff

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Experience / Resume

Founded auto and home insurance brokerage; financial analyst of insurance companies and markets; holds CA Property and Casualty License.

Key Positions

Hold insurance companies accountable by grading them on claims processing; mandate discounts for home hardening; mandate smoke damage protection; require notice of underinsurance; require extended cost coverage availability; increase choice and competition by shortening approval process for rate applications; support home hardening; fix the FAIR plan; improve transparency with better website and benchmarks; explore how AI can help.

Some Endorsements

The Orange County Register, The Sun, Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $975,508.44 in 270 contributions
Biggest Donors: Himself and individual contributors.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Richard Barrera

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Experience / Resume

President of San Diego USD; organizer for home and healthcare workers.

Key Positions

Build teacher pipeline through paid apprenticeships and tuition relief; expand TK to include 3-year-olds; increase funding and ensure accountability; help local communities pass bond measures; build housing for teachers and staff; protect LGBTQ+ students; expand dual language immersion; fund vocational training and college prep; prioritize mental health; deliver equity.

Some Endorsements

CA SPI Tony Thurmond, CA Teachers Association, United Domestic Workers, United Administrators Southern California, The Sacramento Bee.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $225,938.34 in 401 contributions
Biggest Donors: Himself, California Teachers Association/Association for Better Citizenship, United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund, Van Pelt Construction Services, Sheet Metal Workers Local 206 PAC, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

Nichelle Henderson

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Experience / Resume

Public school teacher; LA Community College District Board of Trustees; VP LA County School Trustees Association.

Key Positions

Fully funded and staffed schools; learning over testing; student mental health; special education; LGBTQ+ support; keep ICE out of schools; universal TK; expand dual enrollment and vocational training; defend academic freedom; charter school accountability.

Some Endorsements

Lateefah Simon (U.S. Representative), CA Women's List, San Bernardino County Young Democrats, California Legislative Black Caucus, California Democratic Legislative Women's Caucus, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) PAC, Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $89,238.38 in 303 contributions
Biggest Donors: Women in Power (WIP PAC), Henderson for LA Community College Board 2024, David Vella for College Board 2028, California Women's List.

Al Muratsuchi

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Experience / Resume

CA Assemblymember; Chair of the Assembly Education Committee; former school board trustee; community college professor; civil rights lawyer; Deputy AG with CA Dept. of Justice.

Key Positions

Fought for billions in funding, universal preschool and afterschool programs, closing the digital divide, mental health services, free school meals, increased teacher pay; opposed book bans; supports teaching real-world jobs.

Some Endorsements

US Rep Ted Lieu, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CA Federation of Teachers, California School Employees Association, California Federation of Labor Unions (AFL-CIO), Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $384,162.02 in 330 contributions
Biggest Donors: Association of California School Administrators PAC, PACE of California School Employees Association, California Federation of Teachers COPE, Asian Pacific Islander Leadership PAC.

Josh Newman

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Experience / Resume

CA State Senator; chaired Senate Committee on Education; Senior Fellow at UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology; US Army veteran; tech sector; founded ArmedForce2Workforce.

Key Positions

Literacy and numeracy; career prep and aptitude testing; college readiness; civic readiness.

Some Endorsements

Congressman Gil Cisneros, Congressman Derek Tran, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, California Jewish Democrats, UA Local 761 – Plumbers & Fitters, California Correctional Peace Officers Association.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $304,210.48 in 161 contributions
Biggest Donors: SoCal Pipe Trades District Council 16, Californians for a Prosperous Golden State (ballot measure committee), Josh Newman for Senate 2026, CA Correctional Peace Officers Association PAC.

Anthony Rendon

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Experience / Resume

CA State Assembly Speaker (2016–2023); Executive Director of Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services.

Key Positions

Limit screen time and AI in the classroom; stand up to attacks on public education from Washington; break down bureaucratic silos between early education, K–12, and higher education; fully fund schools; as Speaker, led budgets that increased K–12 investments by 80% and strengthened charter school transparency and accountability; helped create universal pre-K.

Some Endorsements

US Rep Pete Aguilar, US Rep Robert Garcia, Lt Gov Eleni Kounalakis, CA Sen Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, SEIU California, CA Professional Firefighters, CA Faculty Association, CA AFL-CIO, LiUNA, CA Teamsters.

Contributions & Donors

Financials: $541,935.91 in 130 contributions
Biggest Donors: Northern California Carpenters Regional Council POWER PAC, Building A Stronger Future for California PAC, SEIU California State Council, AFSCME CA Small Contributor Committee, Association of Psychiatric Technicians, California Faculty Association committees.

Board of Equalization

Nelson Esparza (District 1)

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Experience / Resume

CADEM-endorsed candidate for Board of Equalization District 1.

Key Positions

Focus on fair tax administration and ensuring corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share.

Some Endorsements

California Democratic Party and allied organizations.

Contributions & Donors

See CA Secretary of State filings for detailed contributions.

US Representative

Tessa Lynn Hodge (District 23)

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Experience / Resume

CADEM-endorsed candidate for US Representative, District 23.

Key Positions

Supports Medicare for All, living wage jobs, and expanded services in rural districts.

Some Endorsements

California Democratic Party and allied organizations.

Contributions & Donors

See FEC and CA filings for detailed contributions.

State Assembly

Randall Putz (District 34)

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Experience / Resume

CADEM-endorsed candidate for State Assembly District 34.

Key Positions

Focus on public education, rural infrastructure, and environmental protection.

Some Endorsements

California Democratic Party and allied organizations.

Contributions & Donors

See CA Secretary of State filings for detailed contributions.