#2026-election

#2026-election

But they've certainly got Democratic operatives and consultants talking even as Padilla and his camp remain loudly mum on the possibility. The focus for California's senior senator, said Padilla spokesperson Edgar Rodriguez when asked about the gubernatorial rumors on Wednesday, remains on California's upcoming special election on redistricting. That's been the party line in the past few weeks, since the rumor mill really started churning, and what Padilla himself has said in recent interviews.

The newly-released survey of nearly 5,000 registered voters throughout California by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies echoes several other polls that have found enthusiasm for Porter, a former Orange County congresswoman who left Congress in January after she ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate last year. Porter received 17% of the voters' first picks. Trailing her were Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, at 10%, and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, at 9%.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris' announcement Wednesday that she will not run for California governor next year has left the race wide open without a clear frontrunner. For the past eight years, Gavin Newsom has served as governor, and with his second term up, 2026 presents an opportunity for a fresh face to lead the state. There's a large field running of Republicans and Democrats, which includes some well-known figures in the state, but many who voters are not familiar with.

Governor Tony Evers's victory in 2018 over incumbent Scott Walker marked a significant political shift in Wisconsin, emphasizing a move away from an aggressive Republican governance model towards a more democratic approach. Evers's personality and background contributed to his appeal, serving as a contrast to the politically charged atmosphere symbolized by Walker and Trump.

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has registered a campaign committee for the November 2026 election to win back his previous post.

California means to America what America means to the world. Let's make California the land of opportunity again, great jobs, great homes, great kids. Let's make California an inspiration again, the very best of America.