2026 California Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage


(Click for external website)

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Budget & Economy     Xavier Becerra: Trump cuts at HHS has the makings of a manmade disaster.

Civil Rights     Eleni Kounalakis: Recommit to ending violence against transgender people.

Crime     Eleni Kounalakis: Increasing penalties probably won't do what people want.

Education     Tom Steyer: Free public school from age 3 through community college.

Energy & Oil     Eleni Kounalakis: California is leading the clean energy transition.

Foreign Policy     Eleni Kounalakis: Educate students to national security importance of Israel.

Free Trade     Eleni Kounalakis: Make sure California is a good place for foreign investors.

Government Reform     Xavier Becerra: Joined UCLA Voting Rights Project to defend right to vote.

Homeland Security     Eric Swalwell: The military can be a check on Trump administration.

Immigration     Eric Swalwell: When we're in majority, ICE masks are coming off.     Xavier Becerra: Would avoid cutting insurance for undocumented immigrants.

Principles & Values     Eric Swalwell: GOP weaponizes faith, need to do Christian podcasts.

Tax Reform     Tom Steyer: Take on corporations that are not paying their fair share.

Technology     Tom Steyer: New technologies are disruptive, less expensive, and clean.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Eleni Kounalakis California Democratic Lt. Governor Eric Swalwell California Presidential candidate; Governor candidate; U.S.Rep(CA-15) Tom Steyer California Democratic Challenger Xavier Becerra California HHS Secretary; CA Gov. candidate

The above quotations are from 2026 California Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Gov. Newsom term-limited in 2026:
CA 2026 Gubernatorial debate:
vs.Antonio Villaraigosa(D)
vs.Eleni Kounalakis(D,Withdrew to run for state treasurer)
vs.Eric Swalwell(D)
vs.Tom Steyer(D)
vs.Xavier Becerra(D)
vs.Zoltan Istvan(L)
Past gubernatorial races:
CA 2022 Gubernatorial debate:
Incumbent Gavin Newsom(D)
State Senator Brian Dahle(R)
vs.Rob Bonta for Attorney General(D)
CA 2021 Gubernatorial Recall: Incumbent Gavin Newsom(D)
S.D.Mayor Kevin_Faulconer(R)
vs.Former Gov. nominee John Cox(R)
vs.Former U.S.Rep Doug Ose(R)
Laura Smith(R)
vs.Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner(R)
vs.Radio Host Larry Elder(R)
2018 California gubernatorial debate,
L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D)
State School Chief Delaine Eastin (D)
David Hadley (R)
S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom (D)
State Treasurer John Chiang (D)
John Cox (R)
State Rep. Travis Allen(R)
Zoltan Istvan (I) vs.La Riva(P)
Former gubernatorial races:
2014 California gubernatorial debate
2014 challenger: Neel Kashkari(R)

2025-2026 Gubernatorial debates:   -   AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID -   -   IL - KS - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY -   -   OH - OK - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - VA - VT - WI - WY - 2025-2026 Gubernatorial coverage: Gubernatorial incumbents and 2025-26 challengers 2026 State of the State speeches 2026 Gubernatorial debate summary 2026 Gubernatorial Ad-Watch 2025 State of the State speeches 2025 gubernatorial campaign websites

2026 Senatorial debates:   -   AK - AL - AR - AZ - CO - DE - FL - GA - IA - ID - IL -   -   KS - KY - LA - MA - ME - MI - MN - MT - NC - NE - NH - NM -   -   OK - OR - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - VA - WV - WY -